Paul Richardson

Paul Richardson, organist for the Philadelphia Phillies for 35 seasons, has died. He was 74. Richardson died Monday at his home in Wilmington, Del. following a long illness, the team said in a statement. Richardson began playing at Phillies games at Connie Mack Stadium in 1970 and was with the club until after the 2005 season at Citizens Bank Park, when he stepped away due to health problems. He was also the weekend organist at Yankee Stadium from 1978 through 1982 when the Phillies were on the road. Many of Richardson's songs were recorded, and his rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was played at the ballpark this season and will continue to be played. Richardson's time with the Phillies included 33 seasons at Veterans Stadium, where he worked in a small booth adjacent to the scoreboard operator and public address announcer. In his seasons at the Vet, Richardson endured losing seasons and saw the Phillies win the World Series in 1980.