MORE THAN BASEBALL: WHAT MAKES THE RED WINGS ICONIC
- emmaalexander2
- Jul 30
- 3 min read
Community-owned and full of local flavor, the Red Wings bring quirky, unforgettable hometown energy every season.
Long before the lights flicker on at Innovative Field or the first pitch is thrown, something special hums in the air. You can feel it in the crowd’s energy, in the scent of hot dogs and the crack of a bat.
For Rochester, the Red Wings aren’t just a team—they’re a tradition that connects generations.
That legacy is something Dan Mason, longtime General Manager and proud Webster native, knows by heart. “Professional baseball’s been in Rochester since 1877,” Dan shares. “That’s longer than most major league franchises and longer than any other minor league one.”
It’s a point of pride, but also a point of purpose. The Red Wings aren’t just a Rochester original, they’re owned by us.
In 1956, local businessman Morrie Silver launched a grassroots effort to keep the team here. More than 8,200 individuals and companies stepped up to buy shares. That bold move made the Red Wings one of the few community-owned professional teams in the country (and it’s still true to this day).
“We’re always evolving, but we’ve never stopped being Rochester’s team.”
That hometown spirit shows up in ways that go way beyond stats and standings. Because when it comes to personality, the Red Wings are in a league of their own.
Every Thursday, they take the field as the Rochester Plates, paying tribute to the city’s most beloved messy masterpiece: the garbage plate. On August 20, they’ll suit up as the Rochester White Hots, honoring another local legend.
The quirks don’t stop at the uniforms. The Red Wings have hosted their share of Hall of Famers, but Dan Mason’s favorite first pitch? Lou Gramm, Rochester native and lead singer of Foreigner, right from the mound at Innovative Field.
And speaking of icons: Fred Costello, the only person to “play” for both the Red Wings and the Rochester Americans hockey team, has been the team’s live organist for 49 seasons. Now 89 years old, Fred is a fan favorite whose music brings a kind of magic no scoreboard ever could.
Then there are the superstitions. Baseball players are famously ritualistic, whether it’s wearing the same shirt every game, eating a specific meal or sketching something in the dirt before every at-bat. If it helps the Wings win, it’s fair game.
It’s all part of the fun. The traditions, trivia and rituals aren’t just background noise. They’re the soul of the Red Wings experience. And they’re what keeps fans coming back year after year.
“Our goal is simple: Whether the Wings win or lose, everyone should have a blast.”
The Red Wings organization continues to grow with the city—upgrading facilities, embracing fan-first experiences and finding new ways to celebrate local culture.
Because that’s what the Red Wings represent. Not just baseball, but memories in the making. Summer nights with friends, generational traditions and a place where Rochester shows up to cheer loud, laugh harder and rep the region with pride.