For generations of Chicago White Sox fans, the sound of Nancy Faust at the organ was as essential to the game-day experience as the crack of a bat or the smell of ballpark popcorn. After a celebrated retirement in 2010, Faust, the legendary ballpark organist who revolutionized the game’s soundscape, is returning to the South Side for six special games in 2025, bringing her joyful, reactive music style back to Guaranteed Rate Field.
The return comes as the White Sox celebrate their 125th anniversary season, offering a nostalgic nod to the team’s rich past — and a fitting tribute to the woman who turned the stadium organ into a dynamic, crowd-engaging instrument of emotion and excitement.
“I just couldn’t be more excited about returning,” Faust told CBS News Chicago. “I think I’ll feel a little ‘stressed’ that first day — a little stress, a little pressure. But pretty much, it’s like riding a bike.”
Faust’s journey to fame started in 1970, when White Sox GM Stu Holcomb heard her playing at a suburban luncheonette and hired her on the spot. At that time, organ music at baseball games was still relatively simple — national anthems, “Charge” calls, and the occasional “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” But Faust changed everything.
She became the first Major League ballpark organist to integrate pop and rock songs into her repertoire, responding to plays on the field in real time with witty musical choices. Faust transformed the organ from a background instrument into a voice for the crowd. Her clever matchups included “Jesus Christ Superstar” for Dick Allen, “I Feel the Earth Move” for Frank Howard, and “He’s So Shy” for Harold Baines.
Perhaps most famously, Faust began playing “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” in 1977 to taunt opposing pitchers and batters. The song became a rallying cry for White Sox fans, and Faust was awarded a gold record by Mercury Records for bringing the hit back into the national spotlight.
Faust’s 2025 comeback will span six Coca-Cola Family Sundays, with each game also featuring bobblehead giveaways. She will perform on May 11 (Mother’s Day), May 25, June 8, June 29, July 13, and August 10 — all at Guaranteed Rate Field. Fans can expect old favorites like “Sweet Home Chicago” as well as new entries like “Dance the Night” by Dua Lipa and “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys.
Faust’s career with the White Sox spanned 41 years, during which she missed only five games — all due to the birth of her son, Eric, who practically grew up in Old Comiskey Park. Though retired since 2010, Faust hasn’t stopped playing. She’s performed at minor league games and stayed musically active, often with her dog, Cooper, howling along to “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”
Faust’s contributions to the game have not gone unrecognized. She was inducted into the Baseball Reliquary Shrine of the Eternals in 2018 and owns a 2005 World Series championship ring from the White Sox’s historic run.
Off the field, Faust enjoys a quiet retirement filled with music and animals. She shares her time with miniature donkeys named Gigi and Jackpot and still plays her organ regularly, albeit to a more equine audience. Her process remains uniquely her own. Faust doesn’t read sheet music. She relies on handwritten notes and a gifted ear to recreate tunes, combining talent with intuition and a deep connection to her audience.
Nancy Faust’s return comes at a time when baseball is leaning into its traditions to recapture fan engagement. In an era of digital scoreboards and synthetic hype tracks, Faust’s warm, live organ tones bring a uniquely human — and distinctly Chicago — element back to the game. For lifelong fans, it’s a moment of reconnection. For younger generations, it’s a chance to meet the woman whose fingers once gave life to the atmosphere at Old Comiskey and beyond.
If this six-game engagement is a hit — and all signs suggest it will be — don’t be surprised to see more appearances or even tributes down the line. Whether or not Faust returns for more games after this series remains to be seen, but her influence is already permanent. As the White Sox honor 125 years of history, Nancy Faust’s organ will once again sing across the South Side — a living soundtrack to baseball’s enduring heartbeat.
