Last at Bat

A packed house at Silver Stadium

Provided by The Rochester Red Wings

This Father’s Day WXXI and the Rochester Red Wings take viewers back to the last regular season game played at Silver Stadium. 

For almost 70 years Silver Stadium was the home of the Rochester Red Wings. When the last regular season game was played on August 30, 1996 between the Red Wings and the Ottawa Lynx, WXXI was there to film and broadcast it live. While Rochester is currently missing its beloved team, WXXI is honored to bring its viewers this baseball time capsule. Last at Bat airs Sunday, June 21, 2020 at 1 p.m. on WXXI-TV.

Hosted by former Red Wings broadcaster Pete Weber and author, media host and columnist Curt Smith, Last at Bat shares heart-felt memories of life long fans and players of the past. This nostalgic look back not only features the entire game, but also is preceded by a closing ceremony celebration featuring a who’s who of Rochester baseball including Joe Altobelli, Harry Walker, and Naomi Silver. 

During the broadcast Red Wings fans will have a chance to enter a drawing to win several prizes.

ENTER THE DRAWING BEFORE THE BROADCAST BY CLICKING HERE. 

PRIZE LIST:

GRAND PRIZE
Frontier Field Diamond Suite Gift Certificate: Host 16 people at a Rochester Red Wings regular –season home game, Sunday – Thursday in April or May 2021. Includes 4 VIP parking passes. Food and beverage package not included. Plus two Red Wings Hoodies and a Luis Tiant signed baseball. Value: $550.00

OTHER PRIZES: 
First Pitch: Throw a ceremonial First Pitch at a 2021 red Wings regular season game. This certificate comes with 4 premium seat tickets. Valid April – July 26, 2021. Recipient must be at least 6 years old. Plus, a Ron Guidry signed baseball and two Red Wings Shirts (one men's and one women's).

Silver Stadium: Last Ticket by Sharon Dwyer Buzard – A 12 X 30" print of a painting produced in 2009 from photo references from the last year Silver Stadium was open, 1996. Inspired by the vertical red gates and posts. Sharon thought of the American Flag and painted the blue of the flag and added the white seagulls. This printed was donated by the artist. 

Silver Stadium: Last Pitch by Sharon Dwyer Buzard – A 12 X 30" print of the artist’s impressionistic painting of the last play from the last pitch of the very last game in 1996 produced from photo references taken by a fan.  This printed was donated by the artist. 

WXXI Basket of goodies: This includes the Ken Burn’s Baseball DVD collection, DVD of Silver Memories, WXXI Fleece Sweatshirt, dinner and a movie for two at The Little Theatre and other WXXI items. Plus, a set of souvenir tickets from the last game at Silver and a Bobby Valentine signed baseball.

Poster signed by Bobby Grich and Don Baylor and a set of souvenir tickets from the last game at Silver and the last opening day at Silver and the last opening day at Silver.

1997 Governors Cup team Headline Poster signed by Marv Foley , Rick Krivda , PJ Forbes, Scott Bullet, Brian Sackinsky Jim Wawruck, and Brian Shouse. Some of those guys were in the last game at Silver Stadium. And a set of souvenir tickets from the last game at Silver and the last opening day at Silver.

Bob Gibson in a Red Wings uniform bobblehead and a set of souvenir tickets from the last game at Silver Stadium and the last opening day at the stadium.

Signed baseballs by:
Jack Morris, Hall of Fame Game
Bert Blyleven, Hall of Fame Game
Rollie Fingers, Hall of Fame Game

Signed photos by:
Bucky Dent
Chris Chambliss
Ron Guidry

In anticipation of the broadcast, WXXI’s online series HomeStage, which showcases local musical talents with ‘live’ performances from their homes, features jazz organist Fred Costello. Costello, who has been entertaining fans at Red Wings games since 1977, will perform a couple of songs from his home.