Morrie Silver

Morrie E. Silver (July 28, 1909–April 26, 1974) was an American businessman based in Rochester, New York. He is best known for his work with the Rochester Red Wings minor league baseball team.

A native of Rochester, Silver attended East High School and was set to attend Cornell University, but had to change plans when his father became ill. He sold newspapers for the Rochester Times-Union, advancing to the circulation department.

In 1937, Silver founded a school, the Columbia Institute for Music. He later opened a music store that was very successful during the post-war recorded music boom, the store at one time becoming the highest-grossing record store in the United States. He sold the store and started the appliance distributorship M. E. Silver Corporation.

In 1956, the St. Louis Cardinals announced that they would no longer field a farm team in Rochester, where the minor league team, the Red Wings, was one of the oldest in baseball. A group spearheaded by Silver quickly attempted to raise funds to keep the team in Rochester. The resulting stock drive, which gathered 8,222 stockholders, was nicknamed "The 72-Day Miracle." In 1957 the Rochester Community Baseball, Inc., with Silver the majority stockholder, bought the Red Wings from the Cardinals, with Silver presenting them with a $500,000 check.

Silver said, "I just couldn't imagine youngsters growing up in years to come not being able to see professional baseball in Rochester."

Silver periodically worked in the front office of the Red Wings, serving as president in 1957, 1962, 1963, and 1965, and as general manager from 1966 to 1968.

Silver moved to Miami Beach in 1968, but continued to be involved in the operation of the Red Wings. Silver died of complications of a heart attack in Miami, Florida on April 26, 1974. He was survived by his wife, Anna, and a daughter, Naomi. Naomi Silver remains as president and chief executive of the Red Wings.

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