By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA Over the course of a 45-year career, umpire Joe West has issued 193 ejections during Major League Baseball games. On Tuesday night he issued a different sort of ejection, bouncing Rochester native Bill Klem – a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame – from the MLB record book. West broke one of baseball’s longest-held records when he umpired game No. … [Read more...] about In breaking MLB umpiring record, Joe West surpassed a Rochester native
With full trust in his pitches, Braymer leads Wings past RailRiders
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA For Ben Braymer to be at his best, the Rochester Red Wings left-hander needs to know his fastball is fast enough and good enough. He doesn’t throw 99; most of the time his fastball is around 89. If he leaves one up in the zone to a high-quality hitter, there’s a good chance the FAA will assign the ball a flight number. For evidence, see Tuesday’s … [Read more...] about With full trust in his pitches, Braymer leads Wings past RailRiders
After 624 days, Red Wings baseball is finally back at Frontier Field
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA The Rochester Red Wings held a family reunion last night at Frontier Field, welcoming back fans and baseball to the downtown ballpark. It was a reunion 624 days in the making -- and boy did it ever look good, feel good and sound good. Who knew you could so miss the sound of baseball cowhide hitting an ash bat? Of a 93-mph fastball popping the … [Read more...] about After 624 days, Red Wings baseball is finally back at Frontier Field
Amerks established plenty in a season where winning really didn’t matter
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA The strangest season in Rochester Americans history has come to an end. With the start twice delayed as the coronavirus pandemic raged on during the fall and into winter, the American Hockey League was finally able to embark on an abbreviated season starting on the first weekend of February. The Amerks played their first game on Feb. 5, a 3-2 loss to … [Read more...] about Amerks established plenty in a season where winning really didn’t matter
Mersch has been the ideal veteran leader for Amerks
By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA The American Hockey League has billed itself as the world’s best development league for better than two decades, and the accomplishments of the young stars are front-and-center when it comes to showcasing talent. But the veteran leaders remain a critical part of the development process, which is why Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert is so happy to … [Read more...] about Mersch has been the ideal veteran leader for Amerks