John R. Rosenblatt

Who was John R. Rosenblatt?

John R. "Johnny" Rosenblatt was a man whose name remains synonymous with baseball in Omaha and was the mayor of Omaha, Nebraska, US from 1954 to 1961. Rosenblatt Stadium was named after him. As a mayor and civic leader, Rosenblatt led his hometown with warmth and optimism. One of six children born to Jewish immigrant parents, he started selling newspapers at age 7. He seemed a natural salesman, whether it was pitching papers, the municipal stadium project or the city at large.

Rosenblatt was more than just a baseball fan, he was a top outfielder in amateur and semipro leagues for nearly 20 years. He played many games at Rourke Park near 15th and Vinton, the predecessor to Municipal Stadium. As a semipro player, under the name Johnny Ross, Rosenblatt faced Satchel Paige, the famed Negro League pitcher. “I never saw a pitch travel so fast in all my life,” he said of the experience. He also played in a 1927 exhibition with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.

The mayor won many friends and accolades during his career in sports and politics. He was called “the supreme gentleman” by Archbishop Gerald T. Bergan.