Eddie Layton

From BR Bullpen

Edward M. Layton

• Born October 10, 1925 in Philadelphia, PA USA
• Died December 26, 2004 in Forest Hills, NY USA

Eddie Layton is the answer to the trivia question "Who played for the Yankees and in the NHL with the Rangers and Islanders?"

Layton was the organist for the Yankees, along with the Rangers and Islanders, for 31 years. He was hired by the club in 1967 and worked for the team through 1970. In 1978, he returned to the team. He never missed a game due to illness until he retired in 2003.

Layton, a slight man, wore oversized glasses and the hat of a ship's captain. He was as much of a fixture at Yankee Stadium as Bob Sheppard on the public address system and Robert Merrill singing the National Anthem.

In 2004, Layton died at his home in Queens. A recording of the National Anthem, as sung by Merrill, is often played at Yankee Stadium.