Lambert Bartak
Encyclopedia
Lambert Bartak was the full-time organist for the NCAA
Division I College World Series
at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium
in Omaha
, Nebraska
. Lambert has played full-time for the series since 1988; he first played the organ for the event in the 1950s. Bartak also played for the Omaha Royals
from 1973 to 2002. Bartak performed in one of the few stadiums that still featured live music, as most stadiums have switched to prerecorded music. His image is often shown on the video screens at Rosenblatt, as well as on ESPN
broadcasts of the games.
Bartak holds the dubious distinction of being one of two organists to be ejected, with the other being Wilbur Snapp
. During an Omaha Royals game on May 26, 1988, Royals catcher Larry Owen
argued a call with home plate umpire Angel Hernandez
. Manager Glenn Ezell joined the fray and during the argument, Bartak played the theme song from the Mickey Mouse Club
. After Bartak played the spelling portion of the song "M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E", another umpire Tony Maners motioned to the press box and ejected Bartak. (Incidentally, Maners was an umpire during the 2006 College World Series
).
Recently, Bartak announced that he intends to retire following the 2010 CWS, and will not be playing the organ at the new TD Ameritrade Park when it opens in 2011. However, the organ that Bartak played at Rosenblatt has been restored and will be used during games at TD Ameritrade. Lincoln, Nebraska native Jerry Pawlak was recently announced as Bartak's successor at the organ.
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Division I College World Series
College World Series
The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,...
at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium
Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium
Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium is a baseball stadium in Omaha, Nebraska, the former home to the annual NCAA Division I College World Series and the minor league Omaha Royals, now known as the Omaha Storm Chasers...
in Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
. Lambert has played full-time for the series since 1988; he first played the organ for the event in the 1950s. Bartak also played for the Omaha Royals
Omaha Royals
The Omaha Storm Chasers are a United States minor league baseball team currently based in the Omaha suburb of Papillion, Nebraska. The team is the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals major league club and has been a member of the expanded Pacific Coast League since 1998. From 1969 to 1997,...
from 1973 to 2002. Bartak performed in one of the few stadiums that still featured live music, as most stadiums have switched to prerecorded music. His image is often shown on the video screens at Rosenblatt, as well as on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
broadcasts of the games.
Bartak holds the dubious distinction of being one of two organists to be ejected, with the other being Wilbur Snapp
Wilbur Snapp
Wilbur Snapp was a self-taught American musician who played the organ for the Clearwater Phillies, a minor-league baseball team, and for the Philadelphia Phillies in spring training, over a period of 20 years. He served in the Army Air Forces in World War II. He married his wife Janice in 1942...
. During an Omaha Royals game on May 26, 1988, Royals catcher Larry Owen
Larry Owen
Lawrence Thomas Owen is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He played all or part of six seasons in the majors, between and , for the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals. His hometown is in Hilliard, Ohio....
argued a call with home plate umpire Angel Hernandez
Angel Hernandez (umpire)
Ángel Hernández is an umpire in Major League Baseball. He has worked in the National League from 1991 to 1999, and throughout both major leagues since 2000. He has umpired in the World Series in 2002 and 2005, as well as the 1999 All-Star Game...
. Manager Glenn Ezell joined the fray and during the argument, Bartak played the theme song from the Mickey Mouse Club
Mickey Mouse Club
The Mickey Mouse Club is an American variety television show that began in 1955, produced by Walt Disney Productions and televised by the ABC, featuring a regular but ever-changing cast of teenage performers. The Mickey Mouse Club was created by Walt Disney...
. After Bartak played the spelling portion of the song "M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E", another umpire Tony Maners motioned to the press box and ejected Bartak. (Incidentally, Maners was an umpire during the 2006 College World Series
2006 College World Series
The 2006 College World Series was held June 16-26 in Omaha, Nebraska; it was the 60th College World Series and the 57th series held in Omaha. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having advanced through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium...
).
Recently, Bartak announced that he intends to retire following the 2010 CWS, and will not be playing the organ at the new TD Ameritrade Park when it opens in 2011. However, the organ that Bartak played at Rosenblatt has been restored and will be used during games at TD Ameritrade. Lincoln, Nebraska native Jerry Pawlak was recently announced as Bartak's successor at the organ.