Sox Radio Team Splitting Up

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Sep 6, 2005 8:50PM

It was only weeks ago that Chicagoist was pleased to find that even national media had the same respect for the White Sox's radio duo of John Rooney and Ed Farmer that we do. Sadly, that team will soon bebreaking up after 14 years on-air together.

The White Sox announced in June that when their current radio deal expires after this season, they're moving their broadcasts to The Score 670. Current color commentator Ed Farmer has signed a 5-year deal to remain part of the Sox radio team. However, WSCR was unable to reach a deal with current play-by-play man Rooney. Sox vice president of marketing and broadcasting said Rooney chose to leave, but salary may have been a primary issue in that decision.

With the move to 670, Farmer is expected to become the play-by-play man for the new broadcast team. Speculation about Rooney's replacement include former Cubs TV announcer Steve Stone and Bill Melton, who currently does Comcast's pre and post-game shows. Regardless of the pick, it'll take a while for Farmer to develop the on-air raport he and Rooney have developed over the years. Chicagoist remembers the awkwardness during TV broadcasts when Darrin Jackson replaced Tom Paciorek along side Ken Harrelson, and even now we still don't sense the same level of chemistry. It'll be sad to lose than on the radio as well.