Get to know Braves' organist Matthew Kaminski and why he'll soon play for the GreenJackets

Anyone familiar with the Atlanta Braves and Truist Park probably knows about the witty organ play that takes place every home game.

But what about the man behind the organ?

Matthew Kaminski has been the Braves’ organist for more than a decade and he’s garnered a reputation as one of the best ballpark attractions across Major League Baseball. Whether it’s playing the seventh-inning stretch or playing walk-up songs geared toward the opposing batting order, he has a hand in creating a memorable ballpark atmosphere for everyone.

Kaminski is set to make his first visit to SRP Park this week, as he’s scheduled to play during Friday’s doubleheader as the Augusta GreenJackets host the Fredericksburg Nationals. He spoke with Augusta Chronicle sports reporter Will Cheney about his career and upcoming visit to SRP Park.

Cheney: Let’s start with a bit of background. Where are you from and how’d you come to call Atlanta home?

Kaminski: “I’m originally from Chicago, so don’t hold that against me. I grew up a Cubs fan, so don’t hold that against me, either. When I graduated high school, I ended up going to the University of Arizona in Tucson. I went out there for a couple of years until I transferred to Georgia State University in 1998, because my parents moved to Savannah. My dad got a job in Savannah and they lived in a town called Rincon. I ended up getting both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Georgia State; both in music. I began playing with the Braves in 2009, so this is my 14th year with the Braves.”

Cheney: The 2021 World Series changed the lives of Braves fans all around the country, including right here in Augusta. What were some of your favorite memories from that run last year?

Kaminski: “It was definitely crazy, being at the ballpark twice as long as I normally am. It was a lot of work, because there were so many extra events going on at the ballpark and the battery area outside the ballpark. One of my fondest memories, because the Braves had won it on the road, they had a watch party at Truist Park. One of my fondest memories was actually going out on the field after they won the championship. The Braves were on the road, but all of us employees got to go on the field afterwards, so that was pretty cool to celebrate out there.”

“A week later, I got to play at the parade. In the back of a flatbed semi-truck, I brought my little keyboard with me and they had a little sound system there and I was actually playing through the parade for what they said was over a million fans. Definitely another one of my fondest memories and playing the parade was pretty cool.”

Cheney: You're famous for adding a sense of humor to your organ play. Where did that all start? 

Kaminski: “That’s what they wanted out of the job. When I first auditioned in 2009, my boss, who is actually still my boss now, was wanting to have that ‘game within a game,’ where I’d be playing songs based on peoples’ names or where they’re from or maybe even their jersey number. It’s something a lot people think that I came up with, but I think it’s been done by baseball organists for a long time. I know in the 1970s, the organist for the Chicago White Sox was doing it.”

Cheney: There can’t be enough hours in the day to come up with specific songs for each hitter. Is that where social media comes in handy?

Kaminski: “I guess I brought technology into it because I use my Twitter page to get song suggestions. If I have trouble finding a song for a player, usually people on Twitter will help me out with that. It actually makes my job easier. Instead of me trying to rack my brain about what song to play for each player, all I have to do is ask my Twitter followers. What I do is choose the ones that will work best for the organ that I’m playing. Sometimes songs don’t really translate so well. I choose the ones that will come through the easiest or be instantly recognizable.”

Cheney: Have you played many minor league venues? 

Kaminski: “Actually, this is my first time playing in a Minor League Baseball game. I’ve done plenty of college games. Usually, I do a handful of University of Georgia, Auburn, some Georgia Southern, sometimes I’ll go out to Georgia Tech or Kennesaw. I’ve even gone as far as Mississippi State before. So this will be my first minor league game and it’ll be a doubleheader. I’m happy that the Braves allow me to do that and being that the Augusta GreenJackets are a Braves team, I think that was a good move. I don’t think the Braves would want me playing for a team that wasn’t affiliated with them.”

Cheney: Friday’s theme is Cliché Christmas. Does that change anything for your pregame preparation?

Kaminski: “I’m not going to be able to play all Christmas songs for the walk-up songs. There’s one guy with the last name White (Fredericksburg outfielder T.J. White), so ‘White Christmas’ will work. Throughout the game with foul balls and perhaps in-between innings, I’m definitely going to try and throw in a lot of Christmas songs for Christmas in July.”

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Atlanta Braves organist Matthew Kaminski makes Augusta stop