Minor league baseball team to host ‘Miracle on Ice’ night, wears 1980s jerseys

The Rochester Red Wings are paying tribute to the ‘Miracle on Ice’ team during the squad’s 35th anniversary of their gold medal at the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid. To celebrate, Rochester and opponent Syracuse will wear 1980s Olympic-style jerseys. ‘Miracle’ team members John Harrington and Mike Ramsey will be on hand for the game to sign autographs and throw out the first pitches.

It has officially been 35 years since the ‘Miracle on Ice’ in Lake Placid, N.Y., wherein an upstart squad of U.S.-born hockey players defeated a mighty Soviet Union team that was seen as gold medal favorites at the 1980 Olympics. To pay tribute to one of the most incredible Olympic sports stories and one of the most iconic hockey moments, the AAA Rochester Red Wings, a minor league affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, are hosting a ‘Miracle on Ice’ night on Aug. 1.

The evening, of course, will include brand new threads for both Rochester and their opponents, the Syracuse Chiefs. Rochester, the home team for evening, will wear the classic white jerseys that the American team wore during their defeat of the Soviets, while Syracuse will suit up in the blue visitors sweaters. And what hockey-themed night would be complete without the umpires wearing referee jerseys?

John Harrington and Mike Ramsey, both members of the 1980 American team, will be in attendance for the game and will get to relive some of the most classic moments as Rochester intends on showing highlights from the ‘Miracle’ game on the video board throughout the evening. According to the Red Wings, it’s expected that at least one more member from the gold-medal winning squad will be added to the event.

And for fans that want to get their hands on some one-of-a-kind memorabilia, jerseys from both the Red Wings and Chiefs will be up for auction after the game with all proceeds going to the Red Wings Community Foundation. The jerseys will be autographed by Harrington and Ramsey, who will also be throwing out the ceremonial first pitches before the game gets underway.

There’s little doubt Al Michaels’ famous quote – “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!” – will be the capper to the night and may stir up a bit of emotion at Frontier Field.