Introduction to Chapter 2:
1961-1965: Birds of a Different Feather
Dissatisfaction with St. Louis led Rochester Community Baseball to abruptly end its 33-year affiliation with the Cardinals. The Baltimore Orioles became the new parent club and the alliance seemed a good fit.
The switch brought a new set of faces into the home dugout at Red Wing Stadium. Yet the talent level wasn't enough to return the Wings to the ranks of the International League's elite. Despite finishing no higher than third in the regular season, Rochester nonetheless produced some respectable playoff runs, including an improbable Governors' Cup championship. Four times in five seasons the Red Wings' bid for a post-season spot came down to the final day. They were twice successful, one via what can arguably be called one of the most incredible games in Red Wing history, a contest which produced an improbable hero and the legend of "Finigan's Rainbow."
That is not to say that the years were void of notable performances or individuals. Luke Easter continued as a charismatic presence, as a player and later a coach, becoming perhaps the most beloved Red Wing in history. Veterans Steve Demeter, Billy Short and Joe Altobelli joined the organization and were fan favorites as well as important cogs in the lineup. Young power hitters John "Boog" Powell, Pete Ward and Curt "Baby Ruth" Blefary contributed memorable seasons in their short stints in Rochester flannels. Equally impressive were the power pitchers, including Frank Bertaina and Dave Vineyard, the latter coming back from a potentially crippling injury.
While treading water in the standings, off the diamond Rochester became the flagship franchise of the league and one of the most stable organizations in all the minors. It was the result of the continued front office excellence of Morrie Silver, Frank Horton and George Sisler, all of whom played key leadership roles in the International League as well. Yet troubles continued to plague the minors. The big league barons completely revamped the player development system in 1963 but the solution was less than successful - two years later, like a nightmare repeated, the existence of the Red Wings was again in question.
The string of non-contending teams - the pennant drought spanned a dozen years - were a factor in the plummeting attendance. A mid-season financial crisis found the franchise down to its last dollars, bringing Morrie Silver out of retirement and to the rescue. The stress almost killed him, but putting the club on an austerity budget managed to stem the tide of red ink. As the tenth season of community ownership loomed, local fans were once more challenged to play a key role in the continued existence of the Rochester Red Wings.
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