Wrigley Field umpire attendant Jimmy Farrell passes away

Longtime Chicago Cubs' umpire room attendant Jimmy Farrell, who became known to fans at Wrigley Field as the man who each game put the game ball and a rosin bag at the center of the mound before first pitch, has died at age 91.

Very sad news: Our good friend Jimmy Farrell, long-time umpire room attendant at Wrigley, has passed away at 91. Maybe nicest person ever.

— Len Kasper (@LenKasper) December 28, 2012

Farrell spent 26 years taking care of the umpires at Wrigley before retiring in 2007. According to news reports, he built countless friendships with the men in black as well as players, coaches and stadium workers.

"Jimmy loved his job as the umpire room attendant and loved all of his many friends in the Cubs organization-and we loved him back,'' Cubs spokesman Peter Chase said Friday.

Farrell was born on Chicago's South Side and graduated from Leo High School, but he would attend Cubs' games with his mother growing up. Farrell served in World War II and went to work for the Cubs in 1982 following a 29-year career with Chicago Public Schools.

Farrell leaves behind four children, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He and wife Eleanor were married 68 years before her death last December.