Bobby Valentine to Attend Sea Dogs Hot Stove Dinner on January 13th
"We are thrilled to add Bobby Valentine to the event," stated Sea Dogs' Executive Vice-President and General Manager Geoff Iacuessa. "It will be a great way for Sea Dogs and Red Sox fans to get to know the new manger of the Boston Red Sox."
Additionally, the Sea Dogs have announced that Red Sox outfielder and former Sea Dog Josh Reddick who was originally slated to attend the event, will now be unable to attend. Reddick, who recently underwent wrist surgery, has a strict rehabilitation schedule in Florida and is no longer able to attend the event as a result. Reddick was traded to the Oakland Athletics on December 28th in the deal that sent two-time all-star Andrew Bailey to Boston.
Doors open at 5:30 PM with the Silent Auction running from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. A buffet dinner will be served at 6:30 PM and the program will begin at 7:00 PM. Everyone who attends will receive a signed 8 X 10 photo of Saltalamacchia.
Valentine was named the 45th manager of the Boston Red Sox on December 1st. A veteran of more than 40 years in professional baseball, Valentine has previously served parts of 15 seasons as a Major League manager with the Texas Rangers (1985-92) and New York Mets (1996-2002), compiling a 1,117-1,072 (.510) record. He ranks fourth among active managers in games and fifth in wins. The Stamford, CT native becomes the sixth Red Sox manager born in New England. A first-round selection of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1968 June Draft, Valentine played parts of 10 Major League seasons with the Dodgers (1969, 1971-72), California Angels (1973-75), Padres (1975-77), Mets (1977-78) and Seattle Mariners (1979). He batted .260 (441-for-1,698) with 59 doubles, nine triples, 12 home runs, 157 RBI, 176 runs scored, 140 walks and 27 stolen bases in 639 career games while appearing at every position except pitcher.
Saltalamacchia appeared in 103 games for the Red Sox in 2011 hitting .235 with 16 home runs and 56 RBI. Behind the plate he threw out 31% of attempted base runners. The 25 year-old was acquired by the Boston Red Sox at the trading deadline in 2010 from the Texas Rangers. In five Major League seasons he has compiled a career .248 average.
Furbush, 25 years-old, attended South Portland High School and resides in South Portland in the off-season. He was selected the North Atlantic Conference Co-Player of the Year as a freshman with St. Joseph's College in 2005 after he posted a 7-1 record and 1.75 ERA before transferring to Louisiana State University. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the fourth round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. The 6'5" lefty made his Major League debut on May 23, 2011 against the Tampa Bay Rays and earned his first big league win. On July 30th he was traded to the Seattle Mariners along with outfielder Casper Wells, Francisco Martínez and Chance Ruffin for former Sea Dog David Pauley and Doug Fister. Between Detroit and Seattle Furbush appeared in 28 Major League games (12 starts) with a 4-10 record and a 5.48 ERA in 2011.
Highlighting the auction is the opportunity to watch three innings of a Red Sox game from inside the Green Monster. Additionally, the lucky bidder will receive four grandstand tickets and will be able to watch batting practice from the warning track at Fenway Park. This once in a lifetime opportunity was donated by the Boston Red Sox.
All proceeds from the dinner and silent auction will benefit the official charity of the Portland Sea Dogs'; the Strike Out Cancer in Kids Program. The Strike Out Cancer in Kids Program was established in 1995 to raise money for the Maine Children's Cancer Program. For every strikeout that a Sea Dogs' pitcher throws money is raised through generous pledges of businesses and individuals. In the 17 year history of the program more than four million dollars has been raised. For more information on the Strike Out Cancer in Kids Program log onto www.seadogs.com.
The Sea Dogs will 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; tickets for the 2012 season are now on sale can be purchased by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 and online at www.seadogs.com.