9 Weeks until first pitch at Hadlock Field

Greatest moment #5, 2005 Eastern League Championship (Game 1) in Maine

My first year in Portland was 2005 and I was super lucky! First off, the opportunity to work in Maine (originally from Ashland, Mass) and be invovled in the Red Sox system. Hadlock Field hosted the Eastern League All-Star game, but it also hosted the Eastern League Championship Series. Portland squared off against the Akron Aeros (now the RubberDucks) in the best-of-five fall classic. Game 1 was in Maine, the first championshiop game since September 8, 1997 against Harrisburg.

Hadlock Field was rocking on September 13, 2005 for Game 1 of the Eastern League Championship Series. Former Red Sox starter Jon Lester took the mound under clear skies and 67 degrees at first pitch.

The Sea Dogs went on to win 6–4 in the opener, but ended up losing the series. It was a thrill to call my first ever minor league Championship series. Jeremy West knocked in two runs for Portland and Chris Durbin added three hits. Lester worked 6 innings on 4 hits, 3 runs (one earned), 3 walks and 6 strikeouts.