It looks like the Boston Red Sox and the Portland SeaDogs have been affiliated forever and since today it will look even more so as the two teams extended their Player Development Contract through the 2020 season.
The two baseball clubs are cooperating since 2003 so the connection between the two clubs may seem longer than it really is. The Red Sox replaced the Florida Marlins as parent club after nine years and they have been affiliated to the SeaDogs ever since.
Red Sox Vice President/ Player Development Ben Crockett and Sea Dogs Chairman Bill Burke made the announcement: “We are excited to extend our development partnership with the city of Portland and the Sea Dogs organization,” stated Crockett. “Hadlock Field remains a significant stepping stone for Red Sox prospects en route to Fenway Park. We appreciate the consistent support shown to our players and staff by the Sea Dogs fan base and the organization led by Bill Burke, Sally McNamara, Charlie Eshbach and Geoff Iacuessa.”
2017 will be the SeaDogs’ fifteenth season as affiliated ballclub of the Boston Red Sox. Since joining the Red Sox organization, the club has reached the Eastern League play offs five times and won the Eastern League pennant in 2006. Currently, there are 21 former Sea Dogs on the Red Sox 40-man roster including Andrew Benintendi, Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr., Dustin Pedroia, and Hanley Ramirez.
Sea Dogs Chairman Bill Burke stated that “the SeaDogs are pleased and proud to extend their relationship with the Boston Red Sox, one of the premiere franchises in professional sports.” “We thank the Red Sox for continuing to place their trust in us and look forward to continuing to give our amazing fans a chance to see future big league stars in action, right here in Portland.”
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