The awards are piling up for the Rochester Red Wings.
General manager Dan Mason was recognized as Minor League Baseball's 2026 Triple-A Executive of the Year during this week's MiLB End of Year Awards Show in Louisville.
Mason has earned the honor three previous years: 1996, 1997 and 2012.
According to the Red Wings' press release, Mason is the first executive in franchise history to be named top executive four times.
This season, Mason's 32nd as general manager and 37th overall, the Red Wings' 90-58 record was the best in Minor League Baseball and marked the team's first 90-win season since 1953.
"For those of us who know him, work with him or cheer for the Red Wings, this honor comes as no surprise as Dan is the consummate professional ... a leader
our fans rally around and someone others in the industry have learned a great deal from. His work ethic is unmatched, and his integrity guides everything he does," Red Wings President, CEO and COO Naomi Silver said in a statement.
Mason joined the Red Wings as an intern in 1990 after graduating from the University of Notre Dame. The Webster native and McQuaid graduate was named the team's general manager five years later, and at 27 years old was the youngest GM in Triple-A. He was inducted into the Red Wings Hall of Fame last year.
Rochester coupled its regular season success with the International League second-half title and first league championship since 1997, after defeating Memphis in the final game of the IL's best-of-three series. The Red Wings fell short of the overall Triple-A title in a winner-take-all matchup against the Oklahoma City Comets.
While the Red Wings' total attendance dropped for the third consecutive year, the team's average (6,143 per game) was its highest since 2022. The latter ranked 12th out of 160 teams in Minor League Baseball.
Along with Mason's award, the Red Wings were finalists for two others. The "Bruce the Bat Dog" collective was recognized in the New Merchandise Launch category, while the "Cocos Locos De Rochester" was mentioned for the Copa de la Diversión championship.
The Bruce the Bat Dog collection, inspired by the bat-fetching golden retriever that makes regular appearances at Red Wings home games, featured original apparel, trading cards and pet accessories.
Cocos Locos de Rochester is a regular initiative which the team wears alternate uniforms while ESL Ballpark celebrates local Latino culture and heritage.
In September, the Red Wings received three International League-related awards. Infielder Trey Lipscomb and third baseman Yohandy Morales were named IL All-Stars, while Matt LeCroy was selected Manager of the Year.
The defending International League champions open the 2027 season next March 26 at home against the Syracuse Mets. The season will feature several notable milestones: The 150th anniversary of professional baseball in Rochester, 70 years since the Red Wings' first community-owned season, and 30 since the team debuted at ESL Ballpark (formerly Frontier Field).
Justin Ritzel is a sports reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on Section V athletics and high school trends.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Red Wings GM earns Triple-A's top executive honor
