| Expedia.com Ballpark Vacation Packages Home Page - Table of Contents - Feedback © mmv ballparktour.com |
| Paul Richardson, Phillies Organist |
What more could a man ask for? If music and baseball are your passions, how more fitting a job to be the maestro
of the ballpark!
Of course, it's his job, but some things are worth more than a paycheck. Paul Richardson sports a genuine World
Series ring. It's from the 1980 World Series the Phillies won, with Delaware native Dallas Green as manager.
"I have two more rings at home, from 1983 and '93' the years the Phillies won National League pennants;' said
Richardson.
"I love baseball," Paul says. "I've always been a fan, and I still get caught up in the action like a fan."
Since 1970, Paul has been a long standing part of the Phillies baseball action and tradition. His reputation for
creating the classic ballpark mood was noticed by other Major League teams. When the phone call came from the
Yankees, this fan had a problem saying "No!"
From 1978 to 1982, Paul was on the roster for two major league teams: the Yankees and the Phillies. ''I believe
there was only one weekend with a conflict with both the Yankees and Phillies playing at home," said Richardson
who naturally opted for the Vet.
"It was not that bad of a grind playing in New York. I would drive up for Saturday's game, stay overnight, breakfast
the next morning in the Yankee clubhouse with Yogi Berra, and then drive home after Sunday's game."
Paul realizes that he's a mood manipulator - his targets are the Phillies teammates and fans. He uses sound effects,
snatches of songs, and a keen wit to control audience response to the game. His musical commentary on the
game sometimes draws angry attention from umpires or visiting players, but only because Paul is carried away with
his enthusiasm.
Source: PaulRichardson.com
Editors note: At Citizens Bank Park Paul's music isn't played through the PA system as it was at Veterans Stadium.
Paul plays on the lower concourse and can only be heard by those standing nearby.
of the ballpark!
Of course, it's his job, but some things are worth more than a paycheck. Paul Richardson sports a genuine World
Series ring. It's from the 1980 World Series the Phillies won, with Delaware native Dallas Green as manager.
"I have two more rings at home, from 1983 and '93' the years the Phillies won National League pennants;' said
Richardson.
"I love baseball," Paul says. "I've always been a fan, and I still get caught up in the action like a fan."
Since 1970, Paul has been a long standing part of the Phillies baseball action and tradition. His reputation for
creating the classic ballpark mood was noticed by other Major League teams. When the phone call came from the
Yankees, this fan had a problem saying "No!"
From 1978 to 1982, Paul was on the roster for two major league teams: the Yankees and the Phillies. ''I believe
there was only one weekend with a conflict with both the Yankees and Phillies playing at home," said Richardson
who naturally opted for the Vet.
"It was not that bad of a grind playing in New York. I would drive up for Saturday's game, stay overnight, breakfast
the next morning in the Yankee clubhouse with Yogi Berra, and then drive home after Sunday's game."
Paul realizes that he's a mood manipulator - his targets are the Phillies teammates and fans. He uses sound effects,
snatches of songs, and a keen wit to control audience response to the game. His musical commentary on the
game sometimes draws angry attention from umpires or visiting players, but only because Paul is carried away with
his enthusiasm.
Source: PaulRichardson.com
Editors note: At Citizens Bank Park Paul's music isn't played through the PA system as it was at Veterans Stadium.
Paul plays on the lower concourse and can only be heard by those standing nearby.
He never played, coached or managed in the major leagues, but Paul Richardson sports a genuine World Series
ring. It's from the 1980 World Series the Phillies won.
Paul Richardson is credited with introducing such musical ballpark firsts as the one-liner "theme song" for players
as they step up to the batter's box, and he gave the 6-note Charge! , a definitive place in the sports world.
He first started playing the organ for the Phillies in 1970, the club's last season at the old Connie Mack Stadium.
He was named Phillies "rookie of the year," that season.
Paul remembers, "My first year, I played the organ from the lower box-seat section behind first base at the old
Connie Mack Stadium." He adds. "The following year, 1971, the Phillies moved to the Vet (Veterans Stadium) and
I played the organ in the control room of the million-dollar scoreboard."
ring. It's from the 1980 World Series the Phillies won.
Paul Richardson is credited with introducing such musical ballpark firsts as the one-liner "theme song" for players
as they step up to the batter's box, and he gave the 6-note Charge! , a definitive place in the sports world.
He first started playing the organ for the Phillies in 1970, the club's last season at the old Connie Mack Stadium.
He was named Phillies "rookie of the year," that season.
Paul remembers, "My first year, I played the organ from the lower box-seat section behind first base at the old
Connie Mack Stadium." He adds. "The following year, 1971, the Phillies moved to the Vet (Veterans Stadium) and
I played the organ in the control room of the million-dollar scoreboard."
From 1978 through 1982, Paul also played the organ for the New York Yankees when the Phillies were on the road
(Eddie Layton often took time off to tour with the Hammond Organ Company). He's a friend of Yankees' owner
George Steinbrenner (an organ-music lover) who has his own organ in his New York home.
The World Series ring is just one of the well-deserved perks given to the man who in 1970 introduced a sound that
became as much a part of Phillies baseball as peanuts and hot dogs.
Pre-game, during games, between innings, post-game, and rain delays: listening to him may not be "the" national
pastime, but it has become a Philadelphia pastime for hundreds of thousands of fans.
Today, Paul still is part of the Phillies roster, entertaining crowds at all their home games and other promotional
events.
(Eddie Layton often took time off to tour with the Hammond Organ Company). He's a friend of Yankees' owner
George Steinbrenner (an organ-music lover) who has his own organ in his New York home.
The World Series ring is just one of the well-deserved perks given to the man who in 1970 introduced a sound that
became as much a part of Phillies baseball as peanuts and hot dogs.
Pre-game, during games, between innings, post-game, and rain delays: listening to him may not be "the" national
pastime, but it has become a Philadelphia pastime for hundreds of thousands of fans.
Today, Paul still is part of the Phillies roster, entertaining crowds at all their home games and other promotional
events.
