Busch Stadium Icon Passes

The man behind the organ at Busch Stadium for more than 4-decades has passed away.

Most people have probably never heard of Ernie Hays or would even recognize him if he passed you on the street, but millions of Cardinals fans have heard him tickle the ivories at Busch Stadium and elsewhere for the last 40 years.  Hays retired in 2010.

In a statement from the St. Louis Cardinals, chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. says "Ernie’s music shaped the soundtrack of Cardinals baseball for nearly four decades. He was one of the premier sports organists in the country, and a valued member of the Cardinals family. The entire Cardinals organization extends its sincere condolences to his wife Loreta and his entire family."

Hays was 77.  He died Wednesday night.