Mark Kotsay Inducted into the Portland Sea Dogs Hall of Fame
Mark Kotsay joined the Sea Dogs in 1997 as the top ranked prospect in the Eastern League by Baseball America. Kotsay would live up to the hype hitting .306 (134 H/ 438 AB) with 20 home runs and 77 RBI in 114 games for the Sea Dogs. His 103 runs scored led the Eastern League and ranks second all-time for a single-season in Sea Dogs franchise history. His .306 average ranked tenth in the league. He was one of five Sea Dogs to hit 20 or more home runs during the 1997 campaign, becoming the first Minor League team to accomplishment the feat. Kotsay, drafted by the Marlins in the first round of the 1996 First-Year Player Draft, was named both an Eastern League and Double-A All-Star in 1997. He also earned 1997 Eastern League Rookie of the Year honors.
On July 11, 1997, Kotsay was called-up to the Florida Marlins and collected a fourth inning single off Curt Schilling in his big league debut. Kotsay would spend 14 games with Marlins before returning to Portland on July 28th. Kotsay hit .375 with two home runs and 11 RBI in the post-season for the Sea Dogs in 1997.
Kotsay begin his first full season in the Major Leagues in 1998. Kotsay is now a 12 year Major League veteran, having appeared in 1,494 Major League games with six organizations (Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago White Sox). Entering the 2009 season, Kotsay had a career batting average of .281 with 109 home runs and 609 RBI. He led the majors in outfield assists in 1998 (20) and 1999 (19). Since the start of the 1998 season, only Vladimir Guerrero has more outfield assists. Kotsay also leads all major league outfielders with 31 double plays since 1998.
"It's obviously a great honor," said Kotsay after learning of the honor. "I loved my time in Portland in every aspect, from the top down, the way the team is run from the ownership to the front office, to even the family members that took us in as host families and made us feel welcome in the community. Hands down, it was really a great experience. Thanks for your support in welcoming me into the Hall of Fame as a Sea Dog."
The Portland Sea Dogs Hall of Fame was established in 2005. Kotsay joins John Boles, Bob Ganley, Fredi Gonzalez, Livan Hernandez, Charles Johnson, Kevin Millar, Edgar Renteria, and Carlos Tosca as members of the Unum Portland Sea Dogs Hall of Fame.
To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, players must have debuted with the Sea Dogs at least ten years ago and have had success in Portland and beyond. Each inductee is presented a plaque for their accomplishment. In addition, plaques of the Hall of Fame members are displayed in the Hadlock Field concourse. Fans can also visit the Sea Dogs Hall of Fame section online at www.seadogs.com.
The Portland Sea Dogs continue their final homestand of the season Thursday night at 6:00 PM against the Trenton Thunder at Hadlock Field. A post-game fireworks show is scheduled. The Sea Dogs 2009 campaign concludes on Monday, September 7th at 1:00 PM against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Tickets are available for all remaining games. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 or order online at www.seadogs.com.
Individual tickets for the 2010 season will go on sale on Saturday, November 7th at 9:00 AM at the Hadlock Field Ticket Office.