After working as an intern running the team store and later the all-important concessions, Silver assumed the vice presidency of the Red Wings in 1989. She has received numerous awards and recognition including the Volunteer Leadership Award from the March of Dimes, Sports for Israel Hall of Fame inductee, and the National Association of Women Business Owners’ Woman of the Year in Community award. She is a board chair of the Hillel Community Day School, a board member of the Jewish Community Federation and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Rochester. She has served as the director of the International League of Professional Baseball Clubs since 1993.



Do you think baseball fans today are as dedicated as they were in the 1950s, for example? How do you attract the younger generation to attend baseball games?
I do think baseball fans are as dedicated as they were in the 50s, or maybe even more so. Today, people have more options when deciding what entertainment activity they choose. They can choose between a variety of sports, shows, fairs, etc. And they can also choose to stay home and watch a host of games on television. But they are electing to attend ball games in record numbers all over the country. Baseball is currently enjoying a very popular time in its history. It’s natural for young people to begin enjoying baseball as a family outing with their parents. But we don’t rely on the sport as the entire focus of an event at Frontier Field. Coming out to a ballgame also means great food options, a friendly atmosphere, a clean facility, entertaining mascots, often a gift at the gate, and accessible players

“Corny as it sounds, I find that if you try to do the right thing and treat people fairly, things usually work out pretty well.”

What is the greatest challenge of owning a minor league baseball team today?
I don’t think the answer today is any different than it would have been 50 years ago. The top three challenges are having a competitive team, weather issues, and occasionally having to deal with the challenges of a less than optimal schedule. It is important for us to make the most of what we have, so we try to promote each game to the fullest.

What impact do the Red Wings have on the Rochester economy? And what impact does the Rochester economy have on the Red Wings?
The Red Wings employ about 30 full-time, year-round employees and over 200 part-time, seasonal employees. In addition, we have a roster of about 28 players and coaches living in this community for five months of the year. I’d like to think that between our payroll and the money we as a company spend yearly in the community on local food products, for example, and improvements to Frontier Field, we have a rather large effect on the Rochester economy.

The local economy affects us in several ways. As local companies have difficulties, we will sometimes see cutbacks in marketing dollars they spend with us.  Fortunately, as one company leaves town or closes, we have been able to find another to take its place among our sponsors. We do all we can to support local companies, just as we hope they will support us.

On the other hand, in times when local economies have problems with high unemployment rates, you might be surprised to know that baseball attendance remains stable, or even increases. We believe this is a result of the fact that baseball is usually one of the more affordable entertainment options in a town and because, even in troubled times, people need an outlet to be able to get away from their problems. Baseball is a pretty wholesome, “kick back and forget your troubles” kind of experience.

Are you satisfied with the performance by the County during the first ten years under the lease of Frontier Field? Would the Red Wings consider buying Frontier Field from the County?
The County has really shown a lot of support, particularly in the most recent years. As Frontier Field turns 11 years old, the County recognized that quite a bit of maintenance work needed to be done. They pursued necessary state funding and have added their own dollars to make sure the work can be accomplished. The Red Wings have "stepped up to the plate” in a big way also, putting in well over a million dollars in the last couple of years that we weren’t obligated to do under the terms of our lease. The County appreciates that, and it has helped in their efforts to get state funding.

We would not want to take over the facility as its owner. We have a lot of experience as owners of a stadium, as we owned Silver Stadium for 40 years, and I can tell you that a sports franchise cannot afford to own its own facility. That’s why municipalities and governmental agencies build stadiums. The revenues from a sports franchise cannot support the cost of a stadium. Local government has to recognize the importance of a sports franchise and be willing to support it by providing a stadium or it just won’t work.

There really have been so many incredibly great days in my career with the Red Wings, I don’t think I can narrow it down to one. Opening Frontier Field was extremely meaningful to me, as was hosting the Triple A All Star Game in 2000. But every day that I walk into the stadium knowing that we are a well-respected franchise, in this community and in the baseball world, it is a thrill for me.

What was your best day ever as COO for the Wings?
There have been a few very significant challenges that I’ve had to deal with which, honestly, I couldn’t really get into in this article. The topics are a little too sensitive and I don’t think it would be right to cover these issues in short order. But, corny as it sounds, I find that if you try to do the right thing and treat people fairly, things usually work out pretty well.

What was your biggest challenge? How did you overcome it?
I guess I could say that negotiating the lease for Frontier Field was about as challenging as it gets. While we wanted to pay a fair rent, I was very concerned that we might get in over our heads and not be able to manage financially. The County, at the time, was playing hardball, and wanted to get us to commit to things I knew would be impossible for us to live up to. I did a lot of deep breathing exercises in those days! Many days we would have to walk away from each other and start with a fresh attitude the next day. In the end, we really did work to make sure that both sides won and it’s been a good relationship since. 

BSM