BY DAN GLICKMAN
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – What makes a successful minor league baseball season? And did the 2023 Rochester Red Wings have one? As they ended the home portion of the 2023 season on Sunday with an 8-7 walk-off win over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, it depended on who answered and whether you were discussing the team on the field or the Rochester Red Wings as an organization.
Certainly, the Rochester Red Wings front office liked what they saw in the stands. A total of 437,560 fans walked through the doors of Innovative Field this season, the most since the COVID-19 pandemic, despite a losing team and the always-fickle Rochester weather.
“We’re back to pre-COVID attendance levels, we couldn’t be happier the way this season went,” said Red Wings general manager Dan Mason. “As a front office, we understand we can’t control what happens on the field. All of that is dictated by the Washington Nationals. So our goal is so that when fans come to the ballpark, it’s worth their time and worth their money.”
“And I feel like this year, we were really successful on that level- we judge our performance on the number of smiles we see at the end of the night.”
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM JOE TERRITO.
President and CEO Naomi Silver similarly thought it was a success.
“It was a wonderful year for us,” she said. “This year, we didn’t even talk about past years. It felt like everyone was back on the same page and coming out when possible.”
The product on the field, in contrast, wasn’t as good. Although the Red Wings finished the season with a 38-35 home record, troubles on the road have left them with a 64-76 record overall with a week of play left.
It was not for lack of trying. The Red Wings have a streak of 133 games without being shut out, scoring at least one run in every game since they were blanked in the second game of an April 8 doubleheader. It’s the longest streak for an International League team since at least 2005 and the longest for a Rochester team since at least the 1997 Governor’s Cup champion team.
According to manager Matt LeCroy, it speaks to the fight in the team, a result of the long, hard process of trying to make it in sports.
“There are a lot of people in this world that would love to play professional sports, baseball being one of them,” he said. “It’s an honor to have that opportunity to come and play, and I think no matter if you make it or not, you owe it to yourself, to your family, to the people who brought you to this earth, to play as hard as you can compete. And the guys [do that] and have fun, [as] they know each day could be their last day. I think that’s what creates that environment, to know that this could be it and leave everything on the table.”
“Hopefully, they’ll never lose that mentality because it’s the only way to play. You play to win every game, and you do whatever you can to help our team win.”
And while the Red Wings may not have won more than they lost on the scoreboard, they did see success in the ultimate purpose of a minor league affiliate: preparing players for the big leagues. LeCroy especially pointed out how Joan Adon, who went 2-12 last season in the majors, had worked his way back to the Nationals after pitching well in Rochester. Similarly, outfielder Travis Blankenhorn became one of the best hitters in the league before finally receiving a call-up to Washington later in the season.
Blankenhorn was named Rochester’s Most Valuable Player by fans before Sunday’s game and accepted via a video from Milwaukee, where the Nationals were playing the Brewers. Jake Noll and Cody Wilson were both named most civic-minded in a similar ceremony. The most popular player? The winner of that vote was Darren Baker.
Well-known already to baseball fanatics as the son of Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker and the batboy infamously rescued by J.T. Snow during the 2002 World Series, the 24-year-old continued to prove he is far more than just a famous last name in his first season at AAA, endearing himself to fans with his speed and defensive versatility. He also showed a flare for dramatic moments at the plate, including a walk-off sacrifice fly to finish Sunday’s game. Through Sunday, the left-handed hitter was hitting .285 with 40 RBI and 17 steals. To him, though, there’s still work to do, even if he likes how his season has gone.
“I feel good about the season, but I still feel like I’m in the development process,” he said. “There are still a lot of things I can get better at. These coaches have helped me a lot, but for my first year and just getting acclimated, I feel like I held my own.”
The Red Wings’ home stadium, Innovative Field, is also in a bit of a development process. Both Mason and Silver noted improvements underway, including a new kitchen facility for the stadium’s concessions and clubhouse improvements needed to retain MLB affiliation. Many of these improvements will be in place by next year.
Ah, yes, Next year. The words on the lips of every baseball fan at the end of a season. The lips often include the words “just wait ’til.”
Red Wings fans could be rewarded for that wait, because next year’s team may have some of the finest prospects in baseball.
Outfielder Dylan Crews, the number four prospect in all of baseball according to MLB.com, may be on the Red Wings next season. Another outfielder, James Wood, might also be wearing a Rochester uniform- he’s the number seven prospect in baseball. Third baseman Brady House is 40th on MLB.com’s rankings and could be playing in Rochester. This season saw five of the Nationals’ top 10 prospects make it to AA. Even if some of them make the jump directly to the big leagues or stay in Harrisburg for more seasoning, at least some of them will likely be taking their positions at Innovative Field in 2024.
Even though it’s something out of his control, it’s something that Dan Mason knows about and is looking forward to.
“When we started with the Nats, they were ranked near the bottom as far as their minor league system,” he said. “And now they’re near the top. And that means exciting times are ahead for Red Wings fans.”
And it isn’t that far in the future, as Mason pointed out.
“We have 198 days until opening day on April 2nd,” Mason said on Sunday. “So we have 198 days to make sure that 2024 is even better than 2023.”
I certainly applaud the work that the Wings staff does each year. I don’t think there is a better one in the entire league. And its their job to be put on the positive game face too. It leaves it to us fans to be ‘critical’…realistic…hopeful…
First, I don’t think that 437,000 fans went thru the turnstiles. Attendance is reported as tickets sold. From that, some teams do break out actual turnstile numbers…which are always, in most years, significantly lower. Wings regularly report paid attendance in the 400,000’s. That can easily be verified. They usually tell us turnstile numbers are in the high 200,000’s give or take. That number is often harder to find, but it has always been available at the end of each season. If somehow that changed this year, I will stand corrected, but I don’t think it has.
We have pretty much achieved ‘critical mass’ with tickets sold. I believe the only thing that will increase those numbers is a fantastic team on the field coupled with MLB allowing the IL to have a legitimate regular season with playoffs again.
The former might be possible someday, the latter is very unlikely as long as Manfred is kicking around. And thats pretty sad for us.
I totally agree that Blankenhorn was our best player. He was here most of the season and he performed well. A few others, mentioned in the article were decent contributors. The hitter was mostly commendable. The pitching was a complete disaster and thats why the product on the field wasn’t better.
It remains to be seen whether the claims that the Nats organization is on the upswing. We will believe it when we see it…and as a fan I hope its true, because the last 3 years, on the field, have been pretty bleak.
Are the fans happy, as Dan Mason suggests? Again, I guess it depends on what kind of fan we’re talking about. The joke around the ballpark among the ‘baseball fans’ has been, ‘you can ask 100 people exiting the park, who won, what was the score, and who was the opponent, and most wouldn’t know…and maybe not even care. I don’t think thats far off either. Used to be it REALLY mattered who we played, and who won…mostly because the regular season had purpose. 4 teams out of 8 made the playoffs. And there was even a Jr World Series, not played in far off Vegas. Even before COVID, besides the division winners, there was a wildcard team with 2 rounds of playoffs….best of 5 yes, but it legitimized the season.
thats gone. Way gone. Nothing Dan, Naomi and crew can do about that except keep plugging and changing with the times. The fact that over 400,000 tickets were sold indicates they are doing their job. For that we are eternally grateful that they are keeping AAA baseball afloat in our city.
I know we had no choice but to partner up with Washington. Except for the final few years, we were spoiled being with the Orioles. For real old-timers some even enjoyed the Cardinals. We were finally getting used to the Twins when things had to change. Like musical chairs when the the music stopped, only Washington was left standing after Minnesota bailed. It was them or good-bye. I admit I have always had a personal animus against Washington because I believe they should still be in Montreal, my favorite team since they were born. While my dislike, I admit, is irrational and emotional, since the Nats won the WS, they have been a trainwreck. But more importantly (just like the Amerks foundered while affiliated with Florida) Washington has zero, or less footprint in Rochester. The media totally (not hyperbole) ignores them. If you live here, you only get fed Yanks and Mets…which is kinda stupid really. We’ve never been affiliated with either.
I don’t see that changing unless/until Washington becomes a powerhouse too good to ignore.
And the Wings will never be a success on the field when there are 80+ player changes every year. Players don’t stay here long enough to fully develop. As soon as they have 2 good weeks, they’re gone. And of course there are always the injuries. We have 7 more years with the Nats, for better or worse so I will hold my nose and really hope things can change.
I have watched our Wings since Bob Gibson pitched here. I was a faithful member of the good old KnotHole Gang. I couldn’t wait to get one of those great hotdogs sizzling on the grill. I oohed and aahed when Luke Easter hit a majestic shot halfway up the light tower in right field. And I was so happy when we won it all in 1997,the first season at Frontier Field. The Red Wings are in my DNA. Thats why it so saddens me to see what has happened not only to them, but to AAA baseball in general. We are being abused by MLB. We are to them an unpleasant distraction. Minor league baseball still has value. Lots of it, if it is mined properly.
But they are trying to sell us on having this wonderful championship ‘game’ in a far off city. Like that will prove anything. Thanks fans for all your support, now please go away. This is NOT the Super Bowl.
So thats my story. I was not very happy with the product on the field this year. But as always, I applaud and respect what Dan, Naomi, Josh and all the rest have tirelessly done to try and make it a nice summer experience in spite of all the hurdles.
Yeah–what do they say…wait’ll next year. (even tho sometimes next year never comes as any Expo fan will quickly tell you) I hope there will always be a next year for our Red Wings.
(oh yeah, parting shot–they are always the Red Wings, not the Plates or any other gimmick. Red Wings, yesterday, today and tomorrow!)
Hoorray!! Thank you for telling like it is!!
Like wise, I have lived and died with the Wings for some 65 years.
I too VERY MUCH DISLIKE THE NATIONALS AS OUR “PARENT CLUB”
They are a disaster and will continue to be in the foreseeable future.
They didn’t want to come here in the first place – they wanted to see their AAA team in Richmond, Va. but their stadium did not meet MLB (MANFRED’S) STANDARDS,BUT YOU WATCH, RICHMOND IS ABOUT TO BUILD A NEW BALLPARK, AND AS SOON AS IT IS READY (2025) THE NATIONALS WILL BE OUT OF HERE!!
I foresee our future may be with an expansion team Nashville, Montreal (good for you), etc.
We can only hope. Wait “til next year!!!
PS. I don’t like the PLATES” either.
PS
Since the D&C stopped covering the Wings and the IL, only Sal M. has tried to write a few pieces from time to time and he laments that ‘no one is reading these stories’. I keep telling him that a few of us still do and appreciate the effort even though admittedly its a sinking ship.
But the comment section of sites like this are at least one marker as to whether the articles are being read by anyone. If there is no feedback at all, does that mean there is little to no interest; and that in turn would mean that coverage will stop?
Definitely seems so.
Our local pro teams struggle to get space in the media. There are no call-in shows post or pre game anymore for the Amerks and there never has been any fan communication for the Red Wings. Out of sight, out of mind.
Used to be that our excellent beat writers of long ago were able to both summarize the game AND give objective commentary, both good and bad. That too has disappeared. Whatever appears here (lately…what happened to Kevin O?) and on the website is bland description of the game only with no critiques.
The fans pay for the tickets. They watch the games. They should have a place to discuss what they liked and disliked. How many games have the Wings blown this year because they have no adequate pitchers. That never comes up. There is no criticism of the Nats organization at all. That would have never flown back in the day.
I wish more fans would read these articles and comment on them. Because if not, it only adds more fuel to the fire that nobody cares anymore and that its probably correct that 99 out of 100 folks attending the games couldn’t care less about the opponent or the final score.
Thats pretty sad IMO. But it has become the new reality. Thanks Dave for your comments!
surprising that: Wings team ERA is not the worst in the league…but 4th worst! That despite all their hitting, they are 19th in runs scored! I’m amazed at that. Their team BA is middle of the road. Only 2 teams in the 20 team league have fewer wins. (yeah, this team was not very good)
Despite having one of the worst records in modern IL history, Charlotte had 500,000 tickets sold for the year, one the top teams in that category. Wings were right in the middle of the pack in that category. (won’t say ‘attendance’ because the league doesn’t publish turnstile count…its all about the $$$, not who actually takes up a seat at the park!)
With one game remaining, the Wings are concluding a miserable series with Indianapolis where once again the pitching has been abysmal, save the one winning outing. Wings will finish the 2nd half with a worse record than 1st half and overall a very disappointing year of baseball, if winning means anything to anyone.
For some, they will point to ‘development’ and forego winning as unimportant in AAA. For others, that just doesn’t fly. Pros play to win, at all levels. Excuses are for losers, and always have been, and always will be.
I plan on quickly forgetting 2023 and hope that somehow 2024 will return a winning team to Rochester. I truly miss being competitive. I won’t miss the excuses. So come on Washington, clean up your mess of an organization and get back on the rails. If no one else has the courage to say it, I will. We deserve better.
right?
Pretty much what I figured. Its Oct 2nd and there has been nothing said or written about the Red Wings since their final home game. The team disappeared quickly from view, like Brigadoon, gone and it seems totally forgotten. Its like the season never happened. That is really sad because it NEVER used to be that way. Besides the print media, there were interviews over the airwaves, and post season discussions. And analysis. I expect Dan & Co to spin it as positive as humanly possible. I have no quarrel with that.
Seems depending on what source you follow the Nats farm system has been ranked anywhere from 6th thru 10th. (started the season around 14th) That actually isn’t too bad if that’s how it develops in 2024.
Could the Wings actually field a team that doesn’t undergo changes every 2 or 3 days? One that maybe doesn’t dress 82 different players? One that plays winning baseball all season?
The unanimous #1 is Baltimore. We had ’em for a long time; they fell to the earth in the late 90’s; we asked for a divorce. But now they are back. Maybe DC will experience a similar turnaround. Good for us if they do.
One huge problem though is that nobody cares about them. And our local media will only prop up the 2 NY teams..teams that are parent clubs for 2 of our IL rivals. The fact that doesn’t bother anyone anymore goes to show that the opponent, the score and outcome of games is no long relevant. Thats real sad.
However, like the winter guys, the Amerks, the only way they fought and clawed their way back into local relevance was by winning…and winning in the playoffs. This past season saw record crowds, the likes we have not seen in like, forever. yeah, their parent is Buffalo, who most here DO follow, but still winning solved a lot of problems.
The Wings will need a strong dose of that to get back on local radar. We won’t have legitimate post season anymore, which I believe hurts the cause bigtime, but fielding a winner and keeping a few players around longer than 2 weeks would help build fan interest.
I believe that if 8,000 show up for fireworks, 10,000 or 11,000 will show up for fireworks AND an exciting winning team over the summer. I remain a skeptic about the Nats, but I will gladly have that crow banquet if/when they finally deliver us a decent product.