Tradition rings at Wrigley, the Cell

White Sox organist Nancy Faust sees the young blood perched behind the Milwaukee Brewers organ as a good sign for her profession.

What started in the 1940s as a new trend in baseball has faded over the years with more and more organists finding their playing time cut to make room for recorded music.

Fan polls, however, consistently show people prefer live music at the ballpark. It was after an informal fan forum in 2002 that Dean Rosko, 24, got his gig with the Brewers.

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The organ bench had been vacant in Milwaukee since 1986 when Frank Charles retired.

"I don't know if it's a sign of a trend, but it's certainly nice to see," Faust said. "I'm not sure there are that many teams still excited about live music."

In 1941, the Chicago Cubs brought an organ into Wrigley Field as a one-day gimmick.

The crowd liked the live music so much that Cubs management decided to keep it around. The next year, the Dodgers installed an organ in Ebbets Field, and soon other teams followed.

The most recent numbers from Major League Baseball show just over half the 30 teams have a live organist, with many teams opting not to replace retiring players.

Faust, one of baseball's most recognizable organists, just started her 39th season with the Sox.

The 61-year-old Mundelein resident acknowledges she is a fan favorite and her job is secure as long as she wants it. She says the same is probably true for her counterpart at Wrigley Field.

Gary Pressy has been the Cubs' organist since 1987.

Pressy couldn't be reached for comment.

"I know Gary and he's a great guy. I love that the Cubs honor the tradition as well," Faust said. "It seems like there is always a certain segment of vocal fans that like the tradition. I imagine Gary will be around as long as I am."