Red Sox extend Player Development Contract with Portland Sea Dogs through 2018
BOSTON, MA - The Boston Red Sox and Portland (ME) Sea Dogs today announced the extension of their Player Development Contract (PDC) for an additional four years. With the extension, the Red Sox will continue to have a Double-A Eastern League affiliate in Portland through 2018.
Red Sox Director of Player Development Ben Crockett and Sea Dogs Chairman Bill Burke made the announcement.
“The Portland Sea Dogs and the Burke family have been tremendous partners in the development of Red Sox minor league players who have played at Hadlock Field,” said Crockett. “We are excited to extend our relationship and look forward to continued success in the future.”
The Red Sox’ association with the Sea Dogs began with the 2003 season, following Portland’s nine-year affiliation with the Florida Marlins. That year, a likeness of Fenway Park’s Green Monster was erected at Hadlock Field. In addition, the skyboxes at the park were renamed to honor legendary Red Sox hitters. The Red Sox and Sea Dogs PDC was last extended for two seasons in January of 2011.
“As we prepare for our 20th season of Sea Dogs baseball we are thrilled to announce this new agreement,” said Burke. “It is an honor to be associated with the Boston Red Sox, one of the greatest franchises in professional sports, and we are pleased to let our incredible fans know that this relationship will continue well into the future.”
Sally Burke McNamara, the team's treasurer, added, “We feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to continue the legacy our father created, and our partnership with the Red Sox is a cornerstone of that legacy. We thank the Red Sox for the confidence they've placed in us and we will continue to do everything we can to provide them with the best possible environment to develop future big leaguers.”
The Sea Dogs have advanced to postseason play four times in 10 seasons since becoming an affiliate of the Red Sox, including their first Eastern League Championship in 2006. Sea Dogs alumni currently with the Red Sox include Daniel Bard, Clay Buchholz, Felix Doubront, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jon Lester, Dustin Pedroia, and Will Middlebrooks.
Portland is one of Boston’s six minor league affiliates, joining Triple-A Pawtucket (International League), Single-A Salem (Carolina League), Single-A Greenville (South Atlantic League), Short-A Lowell (New York-Penn League) and Rookie Gulf Coast Red Sox (Gulf Coast League).