BY DAN GLICKMAN
The Rochester Red Wings, as they have in the past several years, held a special autograph signing at Innovative Field on Saturday as part of Small Business Saturday festivities, this year by Toronto Blue Jays utility man and Brighton native Ernie Clement. While it was a day for small businesses like the Red Wings – who are community-owned in an increasingly corporate baseball business – the crowd that came was anything but.
Somewhere between 1,100 and 1,200 fans came to Innovative Field, winding their way through the team’s Performance Center and the interior of Innovative Field to get an autograph from Clement. Some had to be turned away.
“I think we thought it was going to be a big crowd,” said Red Wings general manager Dan Mason. “I did not know it was going to be that big of a crowd. But that’s what happens when you have the kind of postseason that Ernie had.”
It wasn’t hard to see why: Clement’s appearance came after a career year and a historic postseason that saw him set baseball’s single-postseason hit record, with 30, as part of a Blue Jays run that came just one win short of a World Series title. In 18 games, the right-handed hitter hit .411 with a .562 slugging percentage and .977 on-base-plus-slugging, finishing the playoffs with six doubles, a triple, and a home run. The Blue Jays ultimately lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games in the World Series.
Such a showing brings a lot of attention. Rochester’s mayor, Malik Evans, made an appearance to give Clement a proclamation declaring Saturday “Ernie Clement Day” in Rochester. Monroe County Executive Adam Bello gave him the Key to the County. Both spoke of how well Clement had represented his hometown in October.
The fans came from far more than just the Rochester area, however.
Francesco and Noah Quatela were first in line to see Clement. Wearing Blue Jays gear, they’d driven down to Rochester from Barrie, Ontario. Longtime fans of the Blue Jays, they’d attended Game 1 of this year’s American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners. But they’d never been to a meet-and-greet with one of the team’s players, and wanted to be sure not to miss this one: they’d left their hometown north of Toronto around 4:30 a.m., and were in line as early as 8 a.m.
The duo said they came to see Clement because of his passion.
“I think it is just his personality,” said Francesco. “You see him do stuff, like show support for the Buffalo Bills. He’s always doing stuff for other teams, he shows passion for baseball and the other sports, for other stuff.”
That was clear as Clement signed autographs for well over two-and-a-half hours on Saturday, going long past the original noon-to-one time advertised. He’d often be heard talking about how Sunday was an important game for the Bills, on several occasions, he spoke of how he’d heard the Brighton teams were doing in Section V, and he’d always ask a little leaguer what position they played. When one little leaguer said he played a little bit everywhere, he replied, “That’s how I am,” a true statement coming from someone who has played every position except catcher, center field, and right field during his MLB career.
The big crowd was a surprise to Clement, but one he was happy to see.
“It’s crazy,” he said. “I’m really grateful, the Rochester community has been so supportive. Even when I was coming up in the minors, even when I was in college, everyone has been just so awesome.”
And he wants to give back:
“My goal has always been to play baseball as long as I can,” he said. “It’s my favorite thing in the world. If I can inspire the next generation or help somebody in Rochester, that’s really all that matters to me. So I’m really grateful.”
Among that next generation were 13-year-old Brian Ennis of Hilton and 16-year-old Casey Roush of Greece, who were there with Casey’s father, Rob.
Last year, when Clement was in town doing a signing with minor leaguer Casey Saucke. Casey and Brian were there and got pictures with Clement.
“Knowing a hometown guy like that can figure it out in his major league career, it gives inspiration,” said Casey Roush. “It’s like a goal for us to be good.”
And this year? Roush and Ennis got the 2024 pictures signed by Clement. A new memory added to the old. It’s something that Ernie Clement hopes can go on and on.
“I remember the feeling of when they’d sign an autograph, and that’s something I’ll never forget, and I never want a kid to miss out on that. So it’s a true privilege to be able to do that. Hopefully, we can keep doing this every year, it’s really fun.”
Casey Roush of Greece had his picture taken with Ernie Clement at last year's @RocRedWings #SmallBusinessSaturday event. This year, he got that picture signed! @PickinSplinters pic.twitter.com/7PQzDU9tNX
— Dan J. Glickman (@DanJGlickman) November 29, 2025
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