39 Former Sea Dogs Make MLB Opening Day Rosters
Former Portland Sea Dogs players and coaches could be found all across Major League Baseball's Opening Day rosters this year, with 39 players represented across 15 different teams, up from 32 players last season. The Sea Dogs also have 11 former players and coaches who are now coaches in the Major Leagues, serving eight different teams.
15 members of the Red Sox 25-man roster have previously played for the Sea Dogs, as well as three players who are beginning the season on the disabled list. Eight of the nine expected members of the Red Sox Opening Day starting lineup were former Sea Dogs as well, with Brock Holt being the only starter who never donned a Sea Dogs uniform. Three of the 15 are members of the Unum Portland Sea Dogs Hall of Fame: Dustin Pedroia (class of 2015), Hanley Ramirez (class of 2014), and Adrian Gonzalez (class of 2012). Gonzalez is also one of only two remaining former Sea Dogs in the Major Leagues who played in Portland as a Marlins affiliate, the other is Braves' closer Jason Grilli.
Six former Sea Dogs' MVPs are represented, including 2014 team MVP Blake Swihart, Christian Vazquez (2013, disabled list), Anthony Rizzo (2010), Jed Lowrie (2007), Brandon Moss (2006), and Adrian Gonzalez (2002). Two former Sea Dogs Pitchers of the Year made it as well, Clay Buchholz (2007) and Jon Lester (2005).
In addition to the eight Sea Dogs in the Red Sox Opening Day lineup, 10 former players are expected to appear in the starting lineup for other Major League teams, including Jacoby Ellsbury (Yankees), Jed Lowrie (A's), Anthony Rizzo (Cubs), and Daniel Nava (Angels).
Among the 11 Major League coaches who are former Sea Dogs, three include Unum Sea Dogs Hall of Fame Members: Fredi Gonzalez (Manager, Braves), Carlos Tosca (Bench Coach, Braves), and Mark Kotsay (Bench Coach, A's). Gonzalez was a 2007 inductee into the Sea Dogs Hall of Fame and is the only former Sea Dog represented among Major League managers. Gonzalez managed the Sea Dogs in 1997 and led the team to a Northern Division title. He still holds the highest career managerial winning percentage in team history (.556). Tosca, who serves on Gonzalez's staff in Atlanta, was the first manager in Sea Dogs' history and a 2005 inductee into the Sea Dogs Hall of Fame. He guided Portland to Northern Division titles in 1995 and 1996 and was named the 1996 Eastern League Manager of the Year. Kotsay, who entered the Sea Dogs Hall of Fame in 2009, joins the A's staff this season as their Bench Coach.
Two members of the Red Sox coaching staff are former Sea Dogs, Victor Rodriguez (Assistant Hitting Coach), and Mike Brenly (Bullpen Catcher), who played in Portland in 2014 and 2015 before accepting the Bullpen Catcher position in Boston.
After the Red Sox, the Major League team with the next highest number of former Sea Dogs is the Cubs, with four. The A's are next with three, while the Dodgers, Nationals, Cardinals, Tigers, and Braves each have two.
SSea Dogs on MLB Opening Day Rosters (Seasons in Portland):
(* * = Rehab Assignment in Portland
BOSTON RED SOX
Matt Barnes (2013)
Mookie Betts (2014, 2015*)
Xander Bogaerts (2012-13)
Jackie Bradley, Jr. (2012)
Clay Buchholz (2007-08)
Rusney Castillo (2014)
Ryan Hanigan (2015*)
David Ortiz (2008*)
Dustin Pedroia (2005)
Hanley Ramirez (2004-05)
Noe Ramirez (2013-14)
Eduardo Rodriguez (2014)
Travis Shaw (2012-14)
Blake Swihart (2014, 2015*)
Junichi Tazawa (2009, 2011)
Christian Vazquez (2012-13)
Brandon Workman (2012-13)
Steven Wright (2012, 2014*)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Jason Grilli (2001*)
Kelly Johnson (2014*)
CHICAGO CUBS
John Lackey (2013*)
Jon Lester (2005, 2007)
Anthony Rizzo (2010)
David Ross (2013*)
COLORADO ROCKIES
Jorge De La Rosa (2003)
DETROIT TIGERS
Jose Iglesias (2010)
Anibal Sanchez (2005)
HOUSTON ASTROS
Josh Fields (2011-12)
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Daniel Nava (2009)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Carl Crawford (2012*)
Adrian Gonzalez (2002)
MIAMI MARLINS
Craig Breslow (2013*)
MINNESOTA TWINS
Ryan Pressly (2012)
NEW YORK YANKEES
Jacoby Ellsbury (2006-07, 2010*, 2012*)
OAKLAND A'S
Felix Doubront (2009-11, 2014*)
Jed Lowrie (2007, 2009*)
Josh Reddick (2007-09)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Jeremy Hazelbaker (2011-12)
Brandon Moss (2005-06)
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
Franklin Morales (2013)
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Stephen Drew (2013*)
Jonathan Papelbon (2005)
Sea Dogs on MLB Coaching Staffs & Current Position:
BOSTON RED SOX
Mike Brenly - Bullpen Catcher (2014-15)
Victor Rodriguez - Asst. Hitting Coach (1997-99)
ATLANTA BRAVES
Jose Castro - Asst. Hitting Coach (1994, 1999-2001)
Fredi Gonzalez - Manager (1997)
Carlos Tosca - Manager (1994-96)
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Rick Renteria - Bench Coach (2000-01)
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
George Lombard - First Base Coach (2004)
MIAMI MARLINS
Reid Cornelius - Bullpen Coach (1997)
OAKLAND A's
Mark Kotsay - Bench Coach (1997)
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Euclides Rojas - Bullpen Coach (1995)
TEXAS RANGERS
Anthony Iapoce (2002)