Red Wings GM Dan Mason named Triple-A Executive of the Year; other Wings promotions also honored

BY DAN GLICKMAN

Dan Mason, the longtime General Manager of the Rochester Red Wings, was named the Triple-A Executive of the Year for 2026 on Tuesday, his fourth executive honor but his first for Triple-A as a whole.

The announcement was made at the 2026 MiLB End of Year Awards Show at the MiLB Business Summit in Louisville. The Red Wings Hall of Famer had previously won International League Executive of the Year in 1996, 1997, and 2012. Mason has been a part of the Red Wings for 37 years and been its GM for 32. Becoming general manager in 1995, he is now the longest-tenured in team history at the position.

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“We are thrilled that Dan is being recognized by the Office of Minor League Baseball with this highest achievement for a General Manager,” said Rochester Red Wings President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer Naomi Silver in a press release. “For those of us who know him, work with him or cheer for the Red Wings, this honor comes as no surprise, as Dan is the consummate professional…a leader our fans rally around and someone others in our industry have learned a great deal from. His work ethic is unmatched, and his integrity guides everything he does. As the longest-tenured General Manager in Red Wings history, Dan has given so much of himself to this team and our community. I am deeply proud to work alongside him and even prouder to call him my dear friend. Receiving this award for a fourth time is a testament to his sustained excellence and enduring place as an icon in the game we love.”

Although Mason was the only winner at the awards, the Red Wings were also finalists in two other categories. Bruce the Bat Dog represented the International League as a Golden Bobblehead Award finalist for New Merchandise Launch as a result of the team’s release of apparel, trading cards and pet accessories related to the beloved bat-fetching golden retriever. The team’s alternate “Cocos Locos De Rochester” identity, meanwhile, was a finalist for the Copa de la Diversión championship.

Mason’s award win comes after a historic year for the Red Wings, who went 90-58 to record their first 90-win season since 1953 as well as the team’s first International League title since 1997.

The Red Wings begin their next season on March 26, 2027 against the Syracuse Mets at ESL Ballpark. It will be the earliest home opener in franchise history and events are planned to pay tribute to 150 years of professional baseball in Rochester, Rochester Community Baseball’s 70^th anniversary, and the 30^th season at ESL Ballpark.