MANCHESTER, N.H. – Shortstop Jose Iglesias floated over toward second base, scooped up the ground ball and did his trademark hurry throw to first, on target.
Poetry in the field.
Additional Photos
Iglesias had a forgettable day at the plate Sunday (0 for 4, three strikeouts), but he remains a joy to watch and a sure prospect for the Boston Red Sox.
And now, Portland Sea Dogs fans likely have only eight more games to watch him play at Hadlock Field.
The Sea Dogs return to Portland for the final eight games of the season, starting tonight at 7.
And while it has not been a stellar season for the Sea Dogs (63-70) in terms of winning games, there have been success stories.
Three players who began in Portland are now with Boston — Felix Doubront, Ryan Kalish and Yaimaco Navarro. Four others reached Triple-A Pawtucket — first baseman Lars Anderson and pitchers Robert Coello, Tommy Hottovy and Santo Luis.
And there are prospects still developing in Portland, highlighted by Iglesias, 20, the touted free agent from Cuba.
While Iglesias missed more than two months with a slight fracture in his hand, the Red Sox are calling 2010 a good “developmental” season for Iglesias, who is batting .284.
He will play in the Arizona Fall League to make up some of his missed at-bats. And then Iglesias’ next destination probably is Pawtucket next year, as he is eased into a role with the major league club.
THE ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE roster is coming together for the Red Sox. Boston has not officially announced which players are taking part in the prospect-rich league, but the players are being told.
Besides Iglesias, catcher Ryan Lavarnway, outfielder Juan Carlos Linares and pitchers Casey Kelly, Jason Rice and Dan Turpen are the Sea Dogs players involved.
Boston rarely sends starting pitchers to Arizona, but Kelly has thrown only 95 innings this year after going on the DL with a strained muscle in his side.
IT’S NO WONDER the New Hampshire Fisher Cats love having the Sea Dogs visit. The club drew 16,340 combined Saturday and Sunday with the Red Sox affiliate in town.
The Fisher Cats average 5,556 fans, fourth-best in the league, behind Reading, Richmond and Portland, which averages 5,885 – with eight games to go.
HOME STAND: The final home stand is traditionally full of promotions and events.
Here is this week’s schedule.
• Today: Free Coca-Cola cooler bags to the first 1,000 fans; Irish Heritage Night with bagpipes and hurling demonstrations.
• Tuesday: Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Two new members will be catcher Mike Redmond (inducted in absentia) and former Eastern League president Bill Troubh.
• Wednesday: Free Daniel Bard bobblehead dolls to the first 1,000 fans.
• Thursday: Postgame fireworks (the game begins an hour early, at 6 p.m.); collection of new toys for Maine Children’s Cancer Program.
• Friday: Look back at 1995. Sea Dogs will wear teal and black uniforms from 1995 and the music played in the stadium will come from that year.
• Saturday: Soccer clinic at Hadlock, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., for ages 5-13. The cost is $15 and includes a ticket to game that night.
• Sunday: Annual Field of Dreams game featuring old-time uniforms, and, of course, the cornfield.
• Monday, Sept. 6: Award presentation for MVP, Pitcher of the Year, Citizen of the Year and the 10th Player.
Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at:
kthomas@pressherald.com
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