Ohio State pitcher Zach Farmer dies after battle with leukemia
Ohio State pitcher Zach Farmer has died after a battle with leukemia, the school announced on Tuesday.
Farmer was 21 years old. He was originally diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in April 2014. In June 2014, Farmer went into remission following treatment, however he announced the disease had returned on July 15 of this year.
“Today is a sad day but also a day of peace for Zach and his family,” said Buckeyes baseball head coach Greg Beals. “We will dearly miss our fellow Buckeye, teammate and friend Zach Farmer. I feel blessed to have had Zach in our program and the opportunity to coach him. Although his time here was cut short, his legacy as a Buckeye will be long lasting. I am proud of the fight he fought – we learned so much from him. Zach’s courage to fight, positive attitude and love for his supporters and teammates defines what it means to be a Buckeye.”
A native of Piketon, Ohio, Farmer helped raise awareness for the bone marrow registry through Be The Match organization during his battle with leukemia.
Farmer made 10 appearances during his career at Ohio State, including nine starts in 2014.
During his Hall of Fame induction ceremony last month, former MLB pitcher Randy Johnson mentioned Farmer's battle with leukemia and said he had recently called the player.
- Molly Geary
