Lambert Bartak

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Lambert Bartak is 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.^[1] Bartak also played for the Omaha Royals from 1973 to 2002. Bartak performs in one of the few stadiums that still feature live music, as most stadiums has switched to prerecorded music^[2]. His image is often shown on the video screens at Rosenblatt, as well as on ESPN broadcasts of the games.

Bartak holds the unusual distinction of being the only organist to be ejected during a baseball game. During an Omaha Royals game on May 26, 1988, Royals catcher Larry Owen argued a call with umpire Tony Maners. 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", Maners motioned to the press box and ejected Bartak.^[3] (Incidentally, Maners was an umpire during the 2006 College World Series).

[edit] References

1. ^ Associated Press (June 2003). 2003 MCWS Notebook: Organist Keeps Rosenblatt Rocking. Retrieved on 2006-06-19.
2. ^ Bohls, Kirk (2004-06-22). This player at CWS knows all the scores. Cox News Service. Retrieved on 2006-06-19.
3. ^ Associated Press (1988-05-29). Organist Hits Wrong Note. Retrieved on 2006-06-19.