bicyclemike wrote: I remember going to games as a teenager in August of 1972 and 1973, and we would get in as soon as the gates opened to watch as much BP and infield practice as we could take in.

Ernie would start playing a little while later, and on the scoreboard it would say something like "Please welcome Ernie Hays playing the Hammond organ".

In those days where it was still an hour or so before a ball game, and the stands were mostly empty and that organ music would drift through the stadium, it just "felt" like baseball.

I know I sound like a typical old dude saying this, but I really miss that. I don't care as much for the hip-hop and loud, thumping electronic music played at games today as when it was "Ernie Hays and the Hammond organ". RIP Ernie.

BobReed wrote:

bicyclemike wrote: I remember going to games as a teenager in August of 1972 and 1973, and we would get in as soon as the gates opened to watch as much BP and infield practice as we could take in.

Ernie would start playing a little while later, and on the scoreboard it would say something like "Please welcome Ernie Hays playing the Hammond organ".

In those days where it was still an hour or so before a ball game, and the stands were mostly empty and that organ music would drift through the stadium, it just "felt" like baseball.

I know I sound like a typical old dude saying this, but I really miss that. I don't care as much for the hip-hop and loud, thumping electronic music played at games today as when it was "Ernie Hays and the Hammond organ". RIP Ernie.

I second every word.

bicyclemike wrote: I remember going to games as a teenager in August of 1972 and 1973, and we would get in as soon as the gates opened to watch as much BP and infield practice as we could take in.

Ernie would start playing a little while later, and on the scoreboard it would say something like "Please welcome Ernie Hays playing the Hammond organ".

In those days where it was still an hour or so before a ball game, and the stands were mostly empty and that organ music would drift through the stadium, it just "felt" like baseball.

I know I sound like a typical old dude saying this, but I really miss that.

Sawatski wrote:

bicyclemike wrote: I remember going to games as a teenager in August of 1972 and 1973, and we would get in as soon as the gates opened to watch as much BP and infield practice as we could take in.

Ernie would start playing a little while later, and on the scoreboard it would say something like "Please welcome Ernie Hays playing the Hammond organ".

In those days where it was still an hour or so before a ball game, and the stands were mostly empty and that organ music would drift through the stadium, it just "felt" like baseball.

I know I sound like a typical old dude saying this, but I really miss that.

Me, too.  In fact, I think I can still hear in my head that first song he always played.

Mr. Hays sounds like a champ. I wonder who his relacement will be? They just can't hire some young buck as that just doesn't fit the image of what a ML organist should resemble. To do it right you have to either hire a thin gentlemen born before 1950 or a........now don't get mad at me UCONN.....a very rotund female of any age.

pugsleyaddams wrote: If you had one decade to pick from where you could go back in time for just one day to attend a ball game, which one would you select? Take in a Yankee game during the roaring 20's? Maybe check out a Gashouse Gang game during the 30's? Possible check out a game at Fenway during the 40's featuring Ted Williams or going to see how Jackie Robinson was really treated during his first year during that same decade? Maybe meander on over to Yankee Stadium again in the 50's to see Micky Mantle's first game? I think I'd opt for seeing one of our great Cardinal teams of the 60's.

Cochise22 wrote: Quote Blingboy -  I don't think they have an organist anymore. Its all recorded.

Are you sure? I thought that the Blue's current organist was now playing games at Busch as well?

pugsleyaddams wrote: If you had one decade to pick from where you could go back in time for just one day to attend a ball game, which one would you select? Take in a Yankee game during the roaring 20's? Maybe check out a Gashouse Gang game during the 30's? Possible check out a game at Fenway during the 40's featuring Ted Williams or going to see how Jackie Robinson was really treated during his first year during that same decade? Maybe meander on over to Yankee Stadium again in the 50's to see Micky Mantle's first game? I think I'd opt for seeing one of our great Cardinal teams of the 60's.