The original
two-year pact was set to expire at the end of this season. The new agreement,
which ensures continuing Portland's role as the Sox' Double-A affiliate,
will run through the 2008 campaign.
"We
could not be happier to make this announcement," said Red Sox Senior
Vice President and General Manager Theo Epstein. "When we entered into
this agreement two years ago, we thought it would be someplace special.
We knew that it would be the right place for us. We knew that we had found
the right people, with whom to partner. But we had no idea that it would
go this smoothly."
Like any
good marriage, this one has involved some hard work by both parties.
Boston
has brought in some highly thought of prospects, and an ebullient manager,
Ron Johnson, a guy who could sell flood insurance in the Mojave Desert.
No less
than 10 of Johnson's Sea Dog charges from last year --including the highly
touted likes of Kelly Shoppach, Andy Dominique, Kevin Youkilis, and Tim
Kester-- have already stepped up to Triple-A Pawtucket, where they have
helped propel the PawSox into first place.
For their
part, the Sea Dogs have transformed Hadlock into "Fenway North",
complete with its "Maine Monster", the dark green left field wall
that mimics it's more famous cousin on Lansdowne Street.
Always
among the minor league's leaders in attendance, last year Red Sox fans flocked
to Hadlock Field last year in record numbers. Portland drew an average of
6,231 per game, best in the 10-year history of the franchise, and among
the best in all of minor league baseball.
While
the renewal of their agreement was a foregone conclusion, Boston's willingness
--their insistence, really-- on a four-year pact instead of the standard
two, caught most people by surprise.
But, as
Epstein put it, "we asked ourselves if there was someplace else that
we could even conceive of where we'd rather be, and that's 'No'."
"We
feel that this franchise is at the top of Double-A baseball," said
Ben Cherington, Boston's Director of Player Development. "What separates
Portland from other minor league organizations, are in it's in the small
things. When there is a need that one of our players or staff members has,
it's always met. Quickly, and with care. Our players and staff are made
to feel important. They (the Sea Dogs) 'get it'."
Sea Dog
President/General Manager Charlie Eschbach, who has run the 10-year-old
franchise since Day One, was quick to pay back the compliment.
"It
works both ways," said Eschbach. "They get it, too. They understand
what we're about.
"Hopefully
in the future, this won't even be worth a press conference, because it (an
extension) will just be expected."
