Silver Stadium: Rochester, New York
Originally known as Red Wing Stadium, Silver Stadium opened in 1929 and served as the home of the Rochester Red Wings for nearly seven decades. Renamed in 1968 in honor of Rochester baseball executive Morrie Silver, the facility became one of the most respected and recognizable ballparks in minor league baseball.
Silver Stadium served as the home of the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings during Cal Ripken Jr.'s final minor league season in 1981. Appearing in 114 games, Ripken batted .288 with 23 home runs and 75 RBI while earning International League All-Star honors, International League Rookie of the Year recognition, and selection as the league's Top Major League Prospect. On August 8, 1981, Ripken received his call to Baltimore, ending his minor league career.
The ballpark is forever linked to one of baseball's most famous games. During April and June of 1981, the Rochester Red Wings and Pawtucket Red Sox played the longest game in professional baseball history, a 33-inning marathon in which Ripken played every inning and went 2-for-13. The game remains one of the most celebrated events in minor league baseball history.
Throughout its existence, Silver Stadium hosted countless future Hall of Famers and major league stars. For many players, the ballpark represented the final stop before reaching the major leagues. For Ripken, that was exactly the case.
Silver Stadium hosted its final game on August 30, 1996, before being replaced by Frontier Field. As of 2026, the original stadium no longer exists, but its place in baseball history remains secure as one of the most beloved facilities ever to host minor league baseball.
For Ripken fans and collectors, Silver Stadium represents the final stop on his journey through the Orioles farm system before beginning a Hall of Fame career in Baltimore.
Ripken in the Minors would like to thank John Walter for generously sharing photographs of Silver Stadium. His efforts to document historic baseball venues have helped preserve the memory of one of the most celebrated ballparks in minor league baseball history and the final minor league home of Cal Ripken Jr. before his promotion to the Baltimore Orioles.
