Longtime organist wins award from Pirates

By JOHN ENRIETTO Eagle Sports Editor

April 05, 2005 Last Updated: April 05, 2005 02:14 PM Professional

PITTSBURGH - July 16, 1970.

When Three Rivers Stadium was born, a legend was born with it; a legend that's lived on long after that stadium was imploded to the ground.

Vince Lascheid has been the organist at Pirates games since Three Rivers Stadium opened. On Monday at PNC Park, he received the Pride of the Pirates Award during pre-game ceremonies.

The award is the only one presented by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

"I'm flattered," said Lascheid, 81. "Actually, I'm speechless."

Lascheid once played piano with the Glenn Miller Band. He worked in two music stores in the South Hills as a young man, and taught music and developed his own skills on the keyboard.

While performing at The Colony Restaurant in 1970, he was approached by a recognizable face.

"Bob Prince walked up to me and told me they were looking for someone to play the organ for the Pirates at the new stadium," Lascheid said. "He asked if I'd be interested.

"I said, ohhh, yeah."

He got the gig and hasn't stopped playing yet. Lascheid has served as the Pirates organist for 35 years now. He's played at more than 3,000 games, entertained more than 35 million baseball fans and outlasted three organs during his tenure.

That doesn't include the 30 years he played the organ at Pittsburgh Penguins home games. He gave that up in 2003 and was inducted into the Penguins Hall of Fame.

"This may be my last year," he said, smiling. "Or maybe not."

Lascheid carries on a tradition that's fast disappearing from baseball. By 2000, only 16 big league ballparks had a live organist. Wrigley Field in Chicago was the last ballpark to limit its music to its organist.

No organist in major league baseball has outlasted Lascheid. Two current organists - Paul Richardson with the Phillies and Nancy Faust with the White Sox - also started in 1970.

"Vince has given our younger fans a chance to experience classic ballpark entertainment," Pirates broadcaster Lanny Frattare said. "He is a living tradition at Pirate games."

Organ-playing in big league ballparks began Sept. 26, 1941, when the Chicago Cubs decided to experiment with one for their home game that day. The following year, other teams followed suit.

For years, Lascheid played tunes associated with a player's name as that batter was announced coming to the plate.

Examples include "You Deserve a Break Today" for Mark McGwire, "Brian's Song" for Brian Giles, "Grease" for Jason Kendall, "Gilligan's Island" for Jose Guillen and "My Favorite Martian" for Al Martin.

"One opposing player was doing Viagra commercials and Dad played 'Pop Goes the Weasel,'" one of his daughters recalled.

Lascheid's creativity has been curtailed in recent years as players now request certain canned music be played as they approach the plate.

He doesn't mind. His favorite recollection was playing "Jesus Christ Superstar" when Roberto Clemente strode to the plate.

"But my favorite player was probably Willie Stargell," he said. "How do you not like that guy?

"I love baseball and everything about it. I've seen so many good plays over the years and I can't remember any one of them."

He does remember one sad play following the 2000 season.

"I hated seeing them tear that (Three Rivers) stadium down," Lascheid said, pausing to catch his breath. "So much of my life was in there."

The Pride of the Pirates Award winner is selected by a committee of Pirate alumni and front office staff members.

"I was hoping Vince would win it," Pirates CEO Kevin McClatchy said. "It's well-deserved. Look at all of the changes this organization's been through over the past 35 years.

"New stadiums, managers, owners … but up in that organist booth is always Vince. He's been the rock."

Along with entertaining at Pittsburgh sporting events, Lascheid has played the keyboard at Allegheny Country Club for 35 years and at St. Bernard's Church for 20 years.

His wife of 57 years, Linda, along with family and friends accompanied him during Monday's award presentation.