Charles Johnson to Return to Portland on April 18th

Portland, Maine- Sea Dogs Hall of Famer Charles Johnson will be returning to Portland to celebrate the Portland Sea Dogs 20^th season on Thursday, April 18^th at 6:00 PM when the Sea Dogs host the New Britain Rock Cats at Hadlock Field.

The 2013 season will mark the Sea Dogs' 20^th season of play.  A celebration of the 20^th season is set for Thursday, April 18^th (the date of the Sea Dogs first home game in 1994) at 6:00 PM.  Johnson along with several other former Sea Dogs players are expected to attend the 20^th season celebration game and participate in a special pre-game ceremony.  A complete list of players expected to attend will be announced in mid March.  Season Ticket Holders, sponsors, and employees who have been with the organization for all 20 seasons will also be recognized at the game.

Johnson was a member of the Sea Dogs' inaugural team in 1994.  He opened the season as the Florida Marlins top prospect and he did not waste any time in making an impact in Portland.  In the Sea Dogs' inaugural game, Johnson belted two home runs including a game winner in the 14^th inning as the Sea Dogs defeated the Reading Phillies 2-1.  The catcher hit .264 with 28 home runs and 80 RBI for the Sea Dogs in 1994 and was named to the Eastern League All-Star squad.  His 28 home runs led the league and were the most by an Eastern League catcher since Tony Pena hit 34 in 1979.

Johnson has the distinction of being the Marlins first minor league player to reach the majors.  He homered off Curt Schilling in his second Major League at-bat.  Johnson had a 12 year Major League career with the Marlins, Dodgers, Orioles, Rockies, and Devil Rays.  He was a two-time National League All-Star (1997 & 2001) and captured five Gold Glove awards.  He was inducted into the Sea Dogs' Hall of Fame in 2005.

VIP Picnic Reception
Johnson and the other Sea Dogs' alums will attend a pre-game VIP reception in the Hadlock Field picnic area.  A limited number of VIP reception tickets are available to the public.  Tickets are $23.00 and include your access to the VIP picnic area with the players, ballpark picnic style meal, and game ticket.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.seadogs.com or by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500.

All of the players, including Johnson, will host an autograph session in the concourse after pre-game ceremonies.

Tickets for this game along with all Sea Dogs' home games can be purchased by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 and online at www.seadogs.com. 

The Sea Dogs will open their 20^th season on Thursday, April 4^th at 6:00 PM against the Trenton Thunder (Yankees) at Hadlock Field.