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For first time in 59 years, Altobelli will be spectator

Rochester’s "Mr. Baseball" is retiring from baseball, ending a 59-year run that saw him manage a World Series champ and spending most of his career with the Red Wings.
Rochester’s "Mr. Baseball" is totally retiring from baseball, as Joe Altobelli ends a 59-year run that saw him manage a World Series champ and spending most of his career with the Rochester Red Wings (Class AAA; International League).

Altobelli managed parts of seven seasons in the majors, with the highlight in 1983 when he led the Baltimore Orioles to a World Series victory over the Phillies.

In baseball circles, however, he’ll always be known as Mr. Baseball in Rochester, a city that certainly loves its traditions. Altobelli began his pro career in the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in 1951 and worked his way up the ranks, making it to Rochester as a player in 1963. He stayed with the organization after his playing career ended, working for the team as a coach (1966), manager (1971-1976), general manager (1991-1994), special assistant to the club president (1995-1997) and broadcaster (1998-2008).

He’s stepping down from the broadcast booth, but you can expect him to be at most home games at Frontier Field.

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