Morrie Silver

Businessman and minor league baseball executive, member of the International League Hall of Fame[14]

What is Morrie Silver known for?

Born on July 28, 1909, Morrie E. Silver was a notable American businessman hailing from Rochester, New York. After attending East High School in his hometown and briefly selling newspapers, Silver embarked on a successful career in various business endeavors.

In 1937, Silver founded the Columbia Institute for Music and went on to open the Columbia Music Store, which became the highest-grossing record store in the United States at one point. Enjoying success in the post-war recorded music boom, Silver then sold his store to start the appliance distributorship M. E. Silver Corporation.

However, Silver is best known for his invaluable contribution to minor league baseball. In 1956, when the St. Louis Cardinals decided to discontinue operating a farm team in Rochester, Silver spearheaded a group to save the local team, the Rochester Red Wings. His fundraising campaign, labeled "The 72-Day Miracle," gathered over 8,000 stockholders, and the collective effort enabled the acquisition of the team from the Cardinals. Silver saw the preservation of professional baseball in Rochester as crucial for future generations.

Silver played many roles within the Rochester Red Wings organization, serving as the team's president in multiple years, and as the general manager from 1966 to 1968. In recognition of his dedication, the team's stadium was renamed Silver Stadium upon his retirement in 1968.

Even after moving to Miami Beach in 1968, Silver continued to be involved with the Red Wings. After his death in 1974, his legacy continued through his daughter, Naomi, who remains president and chief executive of the Red Wings. The Red Wings' new park was named One Morrie Silver Way, and a statue was dedicated to him in 2007.

The Morrie Silver Family Scholarship now awards $5000 annually to young Red Wings employees attending school. Beyond his local contributions, Silver's impact on the sport saw him elected to the Rochester Red Wings Hall of Fame in 1989 and the International League Hall of Fame in 2008. The team retired the number 8222 to honor the initial number of Red Wings shareholders from 1956 - a fitting tribute to Silver's significant role in saving the team.

For more details, you can check Morrie Silver's profile at International League Hall of Fame and about his statue dedication on the Rochester Red Wings' official website.