Introduction to Chapter 5:

1977-1982: Front Office Follies

In the late '70s and early '80s, Rochester Community Baseball experienced turmoil both on and off the field. Expansion, the emergence of free agency, and unwise spending cuts depleted the Baltimore farm system. Injuries, lack of talent and head-spinning player shuffles by the Orioles led first to non-contending teams before the franchise bottomed out in 1979, a season in which the Red Wings finished with the worst winning percentage since 1920. Equally distressing was the loss of the league attendance crown, handily wrested away by Columbus upon its reinstatement to the league in 1977.

The early '80s saw a return to teams that challenged for first-division finishes, but could not match their predecessors. Floyd Rayford (in the first of many appearances), Cal Ripken Jr., Bobby Bonner, Wayne Krenchicki and Mike Boddicker helped teams to post-season play, although some fans (and stockholders) spoiled by past successes called for an end to the Baltimore-Rochester affiliation. The 1981 season saw the most incredible contest in Rochester - and perhaps baseball - history when the Red Wings took part in the longest game in the history of organized baseball.

Problems in the front office mirrored the diamond fortunes. General Manager Don Labbruzzo came on board in 1977 and his brusque manner offended the Orioles, fans, players and his own managers. His two-year reign, as well as the abbreviated presidency of Bill Blackmon, ended after the financially-disastrous 1978 season. Nor were field skippers immune to short stints of service, as four different managers were hired during the six-year period. At one off-season juncture, the Wings had neither a president, a general manager or a manager.

Bill Farrell subsequently took the reins as president and hired Bob Drew as general manager. Despite mediocre squads, the duo brought the franchise back in the black. However the structure of RCB made conflicts between the two inevitable. The popular Drew resigned and later tried to unsuccessfully return. Shareholders, some who backed Drew and others who disbelieved Farrell's call for a new or massively-renovated ballpark, formed a dissident group and attempted to take control of the franchise. Farrell, who presided over the most financially successful years in history, resigned. Led by Morrie Silver's widow, the challengers finally ousted the board in court after a long and ugly battle, and took over leadership of RCB.

Resolution of "The Proxy Fight" calmed the leadership waters. A long-term deal with Baltimore was inked, but the entire affair cost nearly $300,000 in legal fees and damaged the reputation of Rochester Community Baseball. It also took energy and attention away from the most pressing issue: what to do about Silver Stadium. But a pennant run in 1982, combined with an appearance in the Governors' Cup finals and the second-highest gate count in history, raised hopes for a Red Wing renaissance.

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