Portland Sea Dogs History | Red Sox Rising

The Portland Sea Dogs, the Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, announced their arrival in Portland on October 4, 1992, as one of the expansion franchises announced to join the Eastern League. In March 1993, the name “Sea Dogs” was chosen from over 600 entrants in a team naming contest. The team began play in the 1994 season as the Double-A affiliate of the Florida Marlins, and after nine seasons, the team became associated with the Red Sox in 2003.

While affiliated with the Marlins, the Sea Dogs made the playoffs in 1995, 1996 and 1997. In 2005 and 2006, the team advanced to the Eastern league Championship, and the Sea Dogs won the title in 2006, the first Double-A championship for a Red Sox farm team since 1983. The team also hosted the 2005 Eastern League All-Star Game.

Before the Sea Dogs came to Maine, the state had a long history with minor league baseball. Various teams were based in Portland for 13 seasons between 1907 and 1949, and other affiliates were based in Augusta (1907), Bangor (1907, 1913, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2004), Biddeford (1907), Calais (1913), Lewiston (1908, 1914, 1915, 1919, 1926-1930), Old Orchard Beach (1984-1988), Pine Tree (1907) and Waterville (1907).