81 years - Eighty One Years....

The Eighty First Annual WELCOME HOME REDWINGS Dinner was given by the Monroe Country American Legion last night. Like Redwing General Manger tiny Dan Mason said, " I woke up Tuesday morning, looked out my window, saw the three fresh inches of snow and KNEW that baseball season was here......" Life in far Upstate New York.

This dinner is a WONDERFUL tradition for this area, we are very lucky and thankful to get to attend each year as guests of the McKelveys. Lots of whole families, lots of folks that you see at the ballpark all Summer long, and AND you get to meet the staff and players! We had a Coach at our table again this year, and small small world, he is from LILBURN, Ga. ( would LOVE to work for the new Braves.... a little bit less of a commute! )

The TWINS organization likes to have a little fun with their AAA team, so we only have FOUR returning players this season, so for the most part, a VERY young and excited team. AAA baseball is just an entirely different animal than the Majors, it's  just more fun. It would be very nice if the folks in Gweat Gwinnett will start some sort of event like this, really get the community behind the team. Great support here.

1928 - 2009, It is just cool to be a part of a tradition that is that old, that ensconced in the community... and the dream of Spring being here for good is only a plus. 

all the players lined up for a meet and greet and signing session.. very kind,patient men.
and you know, the eye candy is not bad either....

the Midnight Oil section of the Rochester Redwings
my Annie Savoy player of the year....6'6" , 250+ , Princeton grad : Mr. Tim Lahey

the boys of summer brought the sun with them, the view out the hotel window..
the owner of the team, Naomi Silver, who was chosen by Baseball America as Minor League Baseball’s Executive of the Year quite an honor, the first woman to receive this award. Congratulations Ms. Silver! Baseball is a sport of superstitions, and NOT that I am predicting anything, ( and a little bit cause we did not have that great of a season last year)

BUT, Miss Naomi changed things up this year .. did not have her Judith Leiber baseball handbag with her and did have a NEW baseball pendent on : big circle of diamonds ( the baseball) with ruby " stitches".... it's good to be the owner....