Norfolk Tides GM Dave Rosenfield Dies At 87

Longtime Norfolk Tides general manager Dave Rosenfield has died, the team announced. He was 87.

Rosenfield, who joined the Tides in 1962 and served as GM from 1963-2011, had a heart attack earlier this month.

“Our entire organization is devastated at this news,” Tides president Ken Young said in a news release. “Dave was instrumental to the success of the Tides for over 50 years, and baseball in Hampton Roads won’t ever be the same without him. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dave’s family as we mourn the passing of a Minor League Baseball icon.”

Rosenfield had served as executive vice president and senior advisor to the team president following the 2011 season and had continued to work in that role up to his death.

“Rosey’s passion for the game of baseball was unmatched, and that was obvious to anyone who was ever fortunate enough to cross paths with him,” Tides GM Joe Gregory said in a news release. “His knowledge, guidance and friendship was appreciated by so many people across the baseball industry, and he will be sorely missed.”

A four-time International League Executive of the Year, Rosenfield was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. He was named “King of Baseball”—an honorary title given for dedication and service to the game—at the Winter Meetings in December 2004.

For more on Rosenfield, read Josh Leventhal’s story on those who toil in the minors despite long hours and low pay.