Sea Dogs set '06 bobblehead doll giveaways

PORTLAND, Maine -- The Portland Sea Dogs have announced their 2006 bobblehead doll giveaways. This year's series commemorates players who had a major impact on the 2005 Sea Dogs team who have made their way to Fenway or are well on their way. The players selected for the 2006 bobblehead line-up represents four out of Boston's top five prospects according to Baseball America. The Sea Dogs' 2006 bobblehead giveaways will feature Dustin Pedroia, Jonathan Papelbon, Craig Hansen, and Jon Lester.

The first of the bobblehead giveaways is scheduled for May 19th and will depict second baseman Dustin Pedroia, made possible by U.S. Cellular. Pedroia was selected to the Eastern League Post Season All-Star Team and was named the Boston Red Sox Minor League Offensive Player of the Year. Pedroia hit .324, with 40 RBI and 35 runs scored in 66 games for Portland. He earned a promotion to Triple-A Pawtucket on June 22nd. Pedroia is ranked as Boston's #5 prospect in 2006 by Baseball America.

The next bobblehead doll giveaway will take place on June 7th and will feature starting pitcher Jonathan Papelbon, sponsored by Irving Oil. Papelbon was selected to the Eastern League Mid-Season All-Star Game but did not pitch due to a promotion to Triple-A Pawtucket. Before being called up Papelbon posted a 5-2 record with a 2.48 ERA in 14 starts for the Sea Dogs. After a short stint in Triple-A, Papelbon joined the Red Sox in Boston where he started and pitched out of the bullpen. In 17 appearances with the Red Sox Papelbon was 3-1 with a 2.65 ERA in 43.0 innings pitched. Baseball America rates Papelbon as Boston's #3 prospect.

Reliever Craig Hansen will be featured on the July 20th bobblehead giveaway, sponsored by Bath Saving. Hansen joined the Sea Dogs in August after being drafted by the Red Sox in the first round (26th overall) in the June 2005 draft. Hansen made 13 appearances for the Sea Dogs and did not allow a run to score in 15.2 innings of minor league play between Double-A Portland and the Gulf Coast League. Hansen joined the Red Sox and made his Major League debut on September 19th. He became the first player in Red Sox history to reach the majors the same year he was drafted. In four appearances with Boston, Hansen was 0-0 with a 6.00 ERA. He is rated as Boston's #4 prospect by Baseball America.

The final bobblehead doll giveaway will take place on August 22nd and will feature 2005 Eastern League Pitcher of the Year Jon Lester, sponsored by North East Delta Dental. Lester was a mid-season Northern Division All-Star and was named the left-handed starting pitcher on the Post-Season Eastern League All-Star team. Last season he posted an 11-6 record and led the league with a 2.61 ERA and 163 strikeouts. His 2.61 ERA was new Sea Dogs franchise record. Lester is ranked by Baseball America as Boston's #2 prospect.

"The popularity of bobblehead doll giveaways continues to amaze us," said Geoff Iacuessa, Director of Sales and Marketing for the Portland Sea Dogs. "Fans line up hours before the gates open to get their hands on these popular collectibles."

All bobblehead doll giveaways are for the first 1,000 fans to enter the ballpark. All promotions items and dates are subject to change. A complete list of 2006 promotions currently is available on the Sea Dogs website at www.seadogs.com/promotions.html. All promotional items and dates are subject to change.

Opening Day 2006 at Hadlock Field is scheduled for Thursday, April 13th at 6:00 PM against the Binghamton Mets. Tickets for the 2006 season are currently on sale. To order tickets call the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 or log on to www.seadogs.com.