Wings to honor Alto with statue

The Rochester Red Wings will honor Rochester’s "Mr. Baseball," Joe Altobelli prior to the Sunday Sept. 5 game, when they unveil a life size statue of Alto in his 1971 Red Wings uniform in the Walk of Fame area, inside the gates near the Plymouth Avenue entrance of Frontier Field.

Aug. 31 update: Zimmer, Frey to join us for ceremony, early gate time, more ceremony details - click here for the official release (pdf file)

As part of this special event, the first 2,000 fans will receive a limited edition five-card strip highlighting Joe's life and baseball career.

"This statue will be a fitting, well deserved tribute to the man that has meant so much to our team and our town. It will also make sure that many generations and millions of fans that pass through the gates of Frontier Field will be reminded of his rich and storied legacy. In addition to his amazing accomplishments on and off the field Joe has been an incredible mentor to many who have played with him, for him, and for those that have worked for him in the front office, and we couldn't be happier for him. September 5 is sure to be a special night," said Red Wings General Manager Dan Mason.

Joe Altobelli is the only man to be a player, coach, manager, general manager and radio color commentator in the history of the club. Alto’s #26 is one of only three retired numbers in the history of the team (#8222 for Morrie Silver, and #36 for Luke Easter are the others). Rochester’s "Mr. Baseball" led the Red Wings to Governors’ Cup Championships in 1971 and 1974. Alto also managed Cal Ripken, Jr. and the Baltimore Orioles when they last won the World Series in 1983.

"It's hard to imagine any one person having as much of an impact on so many aspects of an organization as Joe has had on the Rochester Red Wings," said Naomi Silver, the President, CEO and COO of Rochester Community Baseball, Inc. "We are lucky he has called Rochester his home for the last 40 plus years, and we're delighted to be able to recognize him in this way in his home town. It's a fitting tribute to a man who personifies all that's right about the game."

The life size bronze statue is being created by The Randolph Rose Collection, a family owned and operated company with headquarters in Yonkers, NY.

Quick Links:
Joe's Red Wings Hall of Fame page |
Joe's big league playing record at Baseball-Reference.com
Joe's minor league playing record and career managing record at Baseball-Reference.com |
DemocratandChronicle.com coverage |
Jim Mandelaro's 2004 feature on Joe at MinorLeagueNews.com |

The Randolph Rose Collection - official website