Latest news with #NancyBeaHefley
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Longtime Los Angeles Dodgers Organist Nancy Bea Hefley Dies
The Los Angeles Dodgers just lost one of their most beloved members. Nancy Bea Hefley, 89, passed away over the weekend. She had been with the organization for 27 years and retired after the 2015 season. The Dodgers' official account posted this tribute: It's a sad day in Los Angeles for the Hefley family and Dodgers fanbase. The team won the World Series when Hefley took over as the lead organist in 1988. Ever since that unforgettable season, she had provided the Dodgers with their soundtrack, which was woven into the club's fabric. Advertisement Much like legendary commentator Vin Scully, Hefley was integral to the game day experience and stadium allure. She could play over 2,000 songs from memory, and those mesmerizing organ notes echoed throughout the Chavez Ravine for generations. Los Angeles Dodgers organist Nancy Bea Hefley is embraced by center fielder Matt Kemp (27) after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Lee-Imagn Images Perhaps Hefley's most iconic song was 'Master of the House' from the musical Les Misérables. She would play this song when noted musical theater buff Orel Hershiser pitched. The master of the Dodgers' clubhouse went on to win his first and only Cy Young that year. Hefley's death reminds us of baseball's scope and the many special people in this sport. Advertisement The music may not be your top priority at a ballgame, but it is a crucial, complementary piece to the on-field action. It's part of the in-person spectacle to hear songs like 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game' and experience baseball in its purest form. Rest in peace to Nancy Bea Hefley, who gave countless fans world-class organ performances daily. Related: Roki Sasaki Offers Honest Analysis After Struggling Home Debut for Dodgers
Washington Post
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Longtime Los Angeles Dodgers organist Nancy Bea Hefley dies at 89
LOS ANGELES — Nancy Bea Hefley , who entertained Los Angeles Dodgers fans as the team's organist for 27 years, died Saturday. She was 89. Her son, Mark, announced her death in a Facebook post. 'We lost my Mom today. She's in heaven with my Dad, Nancy Bea is gone from us sad day for us but good day for her and my Dad.' The Dodgers said on X that she 'delighted millions of fans for nearly 30 years.' Public address announcer Todd Leitz informed the Dodger Stadium crowd of Hefley's death and there was a moment of silence before the game against the Detroit Tigers. 'There was just a gut punch exhale and reaction from this crowd,' backup play-by-play announcer Stephen Nelson said on the television broadcast. Hefley took over from Helen Dell in 1988 and became as much a fan favorite as Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully and retired manager Tom Lasorda. Scully died in 2022 and Lasorda died in 2021. Eventually, Hefley's playing time was reduced in 2015, and after she posted on Facebook that she didn't fit in, the Dodgers offered her a lifetime contract. 'They said I had a job as long as I want the job, the job would not be open for anyone else,' she told the Los Angeles Times. 'I will be signing a new contract at the end of the year.' But during the final homestand of that season, Hefley announced her retirement. She was honored on the field before her final game. She was succeeded by Dieter Ruehle, just the third organist the team has had since 1971. Hefley began playing the piano at age 4 and at 13 she talked her teacher into showing her the basics of the organ. She commuted to each homestand from her home in Silver Springs, Nevada, while renting a second home locally. She was accompanied by her husband, Bill, whom she met while playing the organ at Bellflower Baptist Church. He died in 2019. She was a substitute organist for the Los Angeles Angels before auditioning for the Dodgers job in February 1988 at an exhibition game. The team went on to win the World Series that fall. Pitcher Orel Hershiser became a star during the team's championship run, winning the National League Cy Young Award. Hefley would play 'Master of the House,' from the musical 'Les Misérables' whenever Hershiser took the mound. Hefley said her repertoire included 2,000 songs she could play from memory. Asked if she ever got sick of playing 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame,' Hefley told the Los Angeles Times in 2004, 'You'd think I would. But actually I don't.' ___ AP MLB:
Los Angeles Times
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Nancy Bea Hefley, Dodgers organist who entertained fans for 27 years, dies at 89
Nancy Bea Hefley, who entertained Dodgers fans as the team's organist for 27 years, died Saturday. She was 89. Her son, Mark, announced her death in a Facebook post. 'We lost my Mom today. She's in heaven with my Dad, Nancy Bea is gone from us sad day for us but good day for her and my Dad.' The Dodgers said on X that she 'delighted millions of fans for nearly 30 years.' Public address announcer Todd Leitz informed the Dodger Stadium crowd of Hefley's death and there was a moment of silence before the game against the Detroit Tigers. 'There was just a gut punch exhale and reaction from this crowd,' backup play-by-play announcer Stephen Nelson said on the television broadcast. Hefley took over from Helen Dell in 1988 and became as much a fan favorite as Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully and retired manager Tom Lasorda. Scully died in 2022 and Lasorda died in 2021. Eventually, Hefley's playing time was reduced in 2015, and after she posted on Facebook that she didn't fit in, the Dodgers offered her a lifetime contract. 'They said I had a job as long as I want the job, the job would not be open for anyone else,' she told the Los Angeles Times. 'I will be signing a new contract at the end of the year.' But during the final homestand of that season, Hefley announced her retirement. She was honored on the field before her final game. She was succeeded by Dieter Ruehle, just the third organist the team has had since 1971. Hefley began playing the piano at age 4 and at 13 she talked her teacher into showing her the basics of the organ. She commuted to each homestand from her home in Silver Springs, Nev., while renting a second home locally. She was accompanied by her husband, Bill, whom she met while playing the organ at Bellflower Baptist Church. He died in 2019. She was a substitute organist for the Los Angeles Angels before auditioning for the Dodgers job in February 1988 at an exhibition game. The team went on to win the World Series that fall. Pitcher Orel Hershiser became a star during the team's championship run, winning the National League Cy Young Award. Hefley would play 'Master of the House,' from the musical 'Les Misérables' whenever Hershiser took the mound. Hefley said her repertoire included 2,000 songs she could play from memory. Asked if she ever got sick of playing 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame,' Hefley told the Los Angeles Times in 2004, 'You'd think I would. But actually I don't.' Harris writes for the Associated Press.
CBS News
30-03-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Longtime Los Angeles Dodgers organist Nancy Bea Hefley dies at 89
Nancy Bea Hefley , who entertained Los Angeles Dodgers fans as the team's organist for 27 years, died Saturday. She was 89. Her son, Mark, announced her death in a Facebook post. "We lost my Mom today. She's in heaven with my Dad, Nancy Bea is gone from us sad day for us but good day for her and my Dad." The Dodgers said on X that she "delighted millions of fans for nearly 30 years." Public address announcer Todd Leitz informed the Dodger Stadium crowd of Hefley's death and there was a moment of silence before the game against the Detroit Tigers. "There was just a gut punch exhale and reaction from this crowd," backup play-by-play announcer Stephen Nelson said on the television broadcast. Hefley took over from Helen Dell in 1988 and became as much a fan favorite as Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully and retired manager Tom Lasorda. Scully died in 2022 and Lasorda died in 2021. Eventually, Hefley's playing time was reduced in 2015, and after she posted on Facebook that she didn't fit in, the Dodgers offered her a lifetime contract. "They said I had a job as long as I want the job, the job would not be open for anyone else," she told the Los Angeles Times. "I will be signing a new contract at the end of the year." But during the final homestand of that season, Hefley announced her retirement. She was honored on the field before her final game. She was succeeded by Dieter Ruehle, just the third organist the team has had since 1971. Hefley began playing the piano at age 4 and at 13 she talked her teacher into showing her the basics of the organ. She commuted to each homestand from her home in Silver Springs, Nevada, while renting a second home locally. She was accompanied by her husband, Bill, whom she met while playing the organ at Bellflower Baptist Church. He died in 2019. She was a substitute organist for the Los Angeles Angels before auditioning for the Dodgers job in February 1988 at an exhibition game. The team went on to win the World Series that fall. Pitcher Orel Hershiser became a star during the team's championship run, winning the National League Cy Young Award. Hefley would play "Master of the House," from the musical "Les Misérables" whenever Hershiser took the mound. Hefley said her repertoire included 2,000 songs she could play from memory. Asked if she ever got sick of playing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," Hefley told the Los Angeles Times in 2004, "You'd think I would. But actually I don't."
Fox Sports
30-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Longtime Los Angeles Dodgers organist Nancy Bea Hefley dies at 89
Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nancy Bea Hefley, who entertained Los Angeles Dodgers fans as the team's organist for 27 years, died Saturday. She was 89. Her son, Mark, announced her death in a Facebook post. 'We lost my Mom today. She's in heaven with my Dad, Nancy Bea is gone from us sad day for us but good day for her and my Dad.' The Dodgers said on X that she 'delighted millions of fans for nearly 30 years.' Public address announcer Todd Leitz informed the Dodger Stadium crowd of Hefley's death and there was a moment of silence before the game against the Detroit Tigers. 'There was just a gut punch exhale and reaction from this crowd,' backup play-by-play announcer Stephen Nelson said on the television broadcast. Hefley took over from Helen Dell in 1988 and became as much a fan favorite as Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully and retired manager Tom Lasorda. Scully died in 2022 and Lasorda died in 2021. Eventually, Hefley's playing time was reduced in 2015, and after she posted on Facebook that she didn't fit in, the Dodgers offered her a lifetime contract. 'They said I had a job as long as I want the job, the job would not be open for anyone else,' she told the Los Angeles Times. 'I will be signing a new contract at the end of the year.' But during the final homestand of that season, Hefley announced her retirement. She was honored on the field before her final game. She was succeeded by Dieter Ruehle, just the third organist the team has had since 1971. Hefley began playing the piano at age 4 and at 13 she talked her teacher into showing her the basics of the organ. She commuted to each homestand from her home in Silver Springs, Nevada, while renting a second home locally. She was accompanied by her husband, Bill, whom she met while playing the organ at Bellflower Baptist Church. He died in 2019. She was a substitute organist for the Los Angeles Angels before auditioning for the Dodgers job in February 1988 at an exhibition game. The team went on to win the World Series that fall. Pitcher Orel Hershiser became a star during the team's championship run, winning the National League Cy Young Award. Hefley would play 'Master of the House,' from the musical 'Les Misérables' whenever Hershiser took the mound. Hefley said her repertoire included 2,000 songs she could play from memory. Asked if she ever got sick of playing 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame,' Hefley told the Los Angeles Times in 2004, 'You'd think I would. But actually I don't.' ___ AP MLB: recommended
