Farmer, Stone happy together

CLEVELAND -- One booth, two microphones, and enough ego and personality to fill an entire stadium.

That's the argument against a team of Ed Farmer and Steve Stone working for White Sox fans in 2008.

"I understand why some people would say that, but they happen to be wrong,'' Farmer said, while sitting in visitor's radio booth Monday as he and Stone prepped for their first regular-season contest. "My job is to do the play-by-play, and his job is to jump in and analyze the play.

"It's going to be a conversation about baseball that I think White Sox fans are really going to like.''

Their first on-air conversation Monday was a discussion of the opening-day pitching matchup, and it was clear within moments that Farmer was willing to defer to Stone as quickly as possible, and that chemistry won't be an issue.

"I don't have to do anything for him because he's a pro,'' Farmer said, pointing at Stone. "He knows timing, he knows the game, and he knows what to do.

"He's a Cy Young Award winner, and I'm going to utilize his expertise. How does that not work?''

Stone also disagrees with the notion that two pitchers can't give the fans a complete view of the game.

"I hit .100 in the major leagues, so I can say with complete confidence that I know what it takes to be a triple-digit hitter in the majors,'' Stone laughed.

"I think if you're around the game as long as Ed and I have been around, and you talk to as many people as we do in the game to prepare for our jobs, you're going to have a pretty good feel for all aspects of the game.

"I don't think what you'll hear is two pitchers talking about only pitching. What you'll hear is two guys who've been in baseball a long time talking about baseball, informing the fans, and entertaining them, as well.''

As for a lack of airspace to fit their considerable needs, Stone says it's just the opposite.

"It's a plus having two guys who can hold their own in any kind of conversation,'' Stone said. "You have two fairly intelligent guys discussing baseball and having fun with it.

"Besides, we all know pitchers are the smartest guys on the field.''

That's something these two won't hesitate to remind the fans every day.