TOP SEA DOGS MOMENTS AS A RED SOX AFFILIATE

1. David Ortiz appears at a sold-out Hadlock Field on a rehab assignment in 2008, from July 21-23. Most players go to Triple-A Pawtucket on rehab, but Ortiz’s schedule worked better for Portland and he electrified Hadlock.

Additional Photos

Red Sox slugger David Ortiz brought his big smile to Hadlock Field for a three-game rehab appearance in 2008. 2008 file photo/Tim Greenway

Former Sea Dogs star Jacoby Ellsbury returned to Hadlock Field for a rehab appearance in 2010, along with fellow Red Sox outfielder Mike Cameron. 2010 file photo/John Patriquin

Charlie Zink nearly threw the first no-hitter in Sea Dogs history in 2003, but gave up a bloop single with two outs in the ninth inning. 2005 file photo/John Ewing

Jon Lester was the Eastern League’s best pitcher in 2005, when he was 11-6 with a 2.61 ERA for the Sea Dogs. 2005 file photo/John Ewing

Junichi Tazawa dominated Eastern League hitters in 2009 and reached the majors, but now he’s working his way back from Tommy John surgery. 2011 file photo/John Ewing

Dustin Pedroia played just 66 games for the Sea Dogs in 2005 before earning a promotion to Triple-A Pawtucket. 2005 file photo/John Ewing

Hanley Ramirez was one of the centerpieces of a trade in which the Red Sox landed Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell from the Marlins. 2005 file photo/Jill Brady

The scoreboard at Hadlock Field, part of the Maine Monster, helps provide a Fenway kind of feeling in Portland. Staff file photo

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• Dog-gone good partners

2. In the 2006 playoffs, MVP Brandon Moss throws out a runner at home in the ninth inning, then hits a 10th-inning homer to clinch the East Division finals. Then, in the league championship series, Devern Hansack wins both the first game and deciding game as Portland captures its only Eastern League title, defeating Akron three games to two.

3. In 2005, the Sea Dogs return to the playoffs for the first time in eight years. Chad Spann hits a walk-off grand slam in the deciding game of the East Division finals. In the league championship series, Jon Lester wins Game 1, but Akron sweeps the next three games.

4. The Eastern League All-Star game comes to Portland for the first time in 2005. Hanley Ramirez, Moss and Lester were among seven Portland players chosen for the game.

5. Charlie Zink, a little-known knuckleball pitcher promoted to Portland late in the 2003 season, comes one batter away from throwing the first complete-game no-hitter in Sea Dogs history on Aug. 30. He yields a bloop single with two outs in the ninth.

6. Almost anytime Clay Buchholz pitched at Hadlock, it was memorable. On June 30, he pitched five no-hit innings for Portland, but the Red Sox were limiting their prized prospect’s pitch count and he was pulled from the game. (He got his no-hitter later that season in Boston.)

7. Jacoby Ellsbury enjoys one of the most dominant starts to a season in 2007, batting .452 with 10 doubles, two triples and 13 RBI in 17 games before being promoted to Pawtucket.

8. As a Red Sox affiliate, the Sea Dogs have enjoyed biennial games at Fenway Park. In Portland’s first “Futures at Fenway” appearance in 2007, Jay Johnson hits a game-winning double in the ninth for a 12-11 Sea Dogs victory.

9. Two Red Sox starting outfielders made rehab appearances in 2010, with Jacoby Ellsbury returning to Hadlock Field and Mike Cameron following. They played the outfield together on May 20. Cameron hit a walk-off home run for the Sea Dogs on May 23.

10. In a 17-inning game on April 16, 2008, the Sea Dogs beat Connecticut 8-7. Jay Johnson, an outfielder, not only had the winning hit, but he was the winning pitcher with two innings of scoreless relief.

PORTLAND’S TOP PLAYERS AS A RED SOX AFFILIATE
(Based on impact in Portland and/or the major leagues)

PITCHERS

Daniel Bard (4-1, 1.99 ERA, seven saves in 2008). Brought his 100 mph fastball to Hadlock. Reached Boston in 2009 and is a starter in 2012.

Michael Bowden (17-10, 3.27 in 2007-08). Arrived as a 20-year-old and reached Boston the next season. Has been up and down since, and is currently in the Red Sox bullpen.

Clay Buchholz (7-2, 1.77 ERA in 2007). Portland’s most dominant pitcher since Josh Beckett. Reached Boston in 2007 and is now a top-tier starter.

Jorge De La Rosa (6-3, 2.80 in 2003). First ace for Red Sox-affiliated Sea Dogs. Traded to Arizona in Curt Schilling deal. Now with Colorado Rockies.

Felix Doubront (12-6, 3.13 in 2009-10). Best Sea Dogs lefty since Jon Lester, Doubront reached Boston in 2010 and cracked the starting rotation this year.

Devern Hansack (8-7, 3.26 in 2006). Starred in Sea Dogs’ championship season and was called up to Boston. Pitched parts of three seasons in majors before injuries ended his career.

Jon Lester (11-6, 2.61 in 2005). The Eastern League pitcher of the year, Lester reached the majors in 2006 and is now an ace for Boston.

Justin Masterson (5-6, 4.30 in 2007-08). Became a key reliever in Boston’s 2008 playoff run. Traded to Cleveland for Victor Martinez and is a starter for the Indians.

Jonathan Papelbon (5-2, 2.48 in 2005). A starter for the Sea Dogs who made his major league debut in 2005, Papelbon became Boston’s closer in 2006. He signed with the Phillies after the 2011 season.

Junichi Tazawa (9-5, 2.57 in 2009). Tazawa was rushed to Boston in 2009. He’s now in Pawtucket after Tommy John surgery.

Alex Wilson (13-9, 4.54 in 2010-11). Strong second season (9-4, 3.05) earned him promotion to Pawtucket. Considered a midseason candidate for Boston’s staff.

HITTERS

Chih-Hsien Chiang (.267, 29 home runs in 2010-11) The MiLB Eastern League player of the year in 2011 when he batted .340, Chiang was traded to Seattle in the Erik Bedard deal and remains in Double-A.

Jacoby Ellsbury (.347, 3 HR in 2006-07). Reached Boston in 2007 and remains Boston’s center fielder.

Jose Iglesias (.285 in 2011). Awed Hadlock with his defensive ability. Reached the majors in 2011, and is currently at Triple-A Pawtucket.

Jed Lowrie (.297, 8 HR in 2007). Was promoted to Pawtucket in 2007 and started for Boston in the 2008 playoffs. Traded this past offseason to Houston in Mark Melancon deal.

Ryan Lavarnway (.284, 22 HR in 2010-11). Showcased improved defense behind the plate and advanced approach at the plate. Reached Boston last year.

Will Middlebrooks (.302, 18 HR in 2011). The organization’s No. 1 prospect, being groomed in Pawtucket as Boston’s future third baseman.

Brandon Moss (.277, 28 HR in 2005-06). MVP of 2006 Eastern League playoffs, Moss played parts of two seasons in Boston before being traded to Pittsburgh in the Jason Bay deal in 2008. Currently on Oakland’s Triple-A team.

Dustin Pedroia (.324, 8 HR in 2005). Began his first full pro season in Portland and was promoted to Triple-A after 66 games. Reached majors in 2006.

Hanley Ramirez (.279, 11 HR in 2004-05). An electric player who drew fans but probably underachieved in Portland. Traded for Josh Beckett in 2005 and has starred for the Marlins since.

Anthony Rizzo (.263, 20 HR in 2010). Arrived in Portland when 19, and hit some towering home runs. Traded to San Diego in the Adrian Gonzalez deal. Now in Triple-A with the Cubs.

Kevin Youkilis (.327, 6 HR in 2003). Had 62-game on-base streak before promotion to Triple-A. Reached the majors in 2004.

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