Kevin Boles & Coaches Return to Portland
Kevin Boles, 36 years-old, returns for his second season as the Sea Dogs manager. The 2012 season will be his fifth in the Red Sox organization and 12th as a minor league manager. In his first season as the Sea Dogs skipper, he guided the Sea Dogs to a 59-83 (.415) record. The team produced a franchise record 17 wins in July establishing new offensive records for runs scored (175), doubles (76), and RBI (158) during the month. The team produced five Eastern League All-Stars and had two players (Tommy Hottovy and Ryan Lavarnway) reach the major leagues.
Boles spent the off-season managing the Sydney Blue Sox in the Australian Baseball League. Boles coached the World Team in the inaugural Australian Baseball League All-Star Game.
In 2010, Boles guided the Single-A Salem Red Sox to an overall record of 73-65 (.529). He managed the Red Sox Single-A affiliate; the Greenville Drive in 2008 and 2009. In 2009, he led the Drive to a 73-65 record and a first-half division title. He was selected to manage the 2009 South Atlantic League's Southern Division All-Star Team.
Boles also managed in the Twins, Royals, and Marlins organizations. Boles made his managerial debut at the age of 25 in 2000 for the Single-A Utica Blue Sox in the Marlins organization, a team he led into the playoffs with a 40-20 record. In 11 seasons, Boles has compiled a 661-640 (.508) managerial record.
Boles, the tenth manager in Sea Dogs history, served as the Sea Dogs' bullpen catcher in 1997. He was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 42nd round of the June 1998 draft out of the University of South Florida, where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Communications. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Boles now makes his home in Northport, Washington. His father, John Boles, managed the Florida Marlins in 1996 and from 1999-2001. John Boles is also a member of the Portland Sea Dogs Hall of Fame as he served as the Marlins Director of Player Development and was the architect of the 1995-1997 Portland Sea Dogs' playoff teams.
Dave Joppie, 46, returns for his fifth season as the Sea Dogs' hitting coach. Under his guidance, the Sea Dogs offense led the Eastern League in runs scored (684) and doubles (298) in 2011. Additionally, the team ranked third in the league in hitting with a .267 average. Prior to joining the Sea Dogs in 2008, he spent two seasons as the Red Sox Class High A hitting coach, serving as the Lancaster JetHawks hitting coach in 2007 and with the Wilmington Blue Rocks in 2006. In 2007 with the JetHawks, Joppie led the team to a California League best .296 team average. The team also led the league in home runs (217) and hits (1,081). Previously Joppie managed the Single-A team in Kane County (Oakland Athletics) in 2004 and 2005. In 2004 he led the Kane County Cougars to an 83-56 record and the Western Division Championship. He was selected as the Midwest League Manager of the Year and Baseball America's Class Low A Manager of the Year. Joppie has 16 seasons of professional baseball coaching experience; the 2012 season will be his seventh in the Red Sox organization. Dave resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his wife Jennifer and son Casey Ray.
Bob Kipper, 47, returns for his third consecutive season and fifth overall as the Sea Dogs' pitching coach. Kipper served as the Sea Dogs' pitching coach in 2003 and 2004. After leaving the Sea Dogs in 2004, Kipper continued coaching in the Red Sox system including four years as the pitching coach for Single-A Greenville (2005-2006 & 2008-2009) and one season for Single-A Lancaster (2007). In 2002, Kipper served as Boston's bullpen coach. Kipper has been coaching baseball since 1995. He joined the Red Sox organization in 1999. The lefty pitched eight seasons in the Major Leagues with the California Angels, Pittsburg Pirates, and Minnesota Twins. In 271 Major League games, he posted a 27-37 record with 11 saves and a 4.34 ERA.
Brandon Henry joins the club as the teams' athletic trainer. The 2012 season will be Henry's sixth in the Red Sox organization. Henry has spent the past two seasons as the athletic trainer for the Salem Red Sox. He has also spent a season with the Greenville Drive and two seasons with the Lowell Spinners. With Lowell in 2008, he was named the New York-Penn League Athletic Trainer of the Year. He holds a bachelor's degree from Xavier (OH) University and a master's degree from West Virginia University. Previously, he has held athletic training positions with the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians and the University of Cincinnati men's soccer and baseball teams. Henry was born in Beckley, West Virginia and resides in Hollywood, Florida.
The Sea Dogs open the 2012 season on the road with a 4:05 PM doubleheader in Reading, Pennsylvania against the Reading Phillies. The home opener is slated for Thursday, April 12th at 6:00 PM against the Binghamton Mets at Hadlock Field. The 2012 season will be the Sea Dogs 19th year in Portland and tenth as a Boston Red Sox affiliate.
Book your nine inning vacation today. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 and online at www.seadogs.com. Ticket prices remain the same for the fifth consecutive season. The Sea Dogs are Maine's most affordable professional sports entertainment.