Kevin Millar and Bob Ganley Inducted into Sea Dogs Hall of Fame
Published on September 2, 2006 under Eastern League (EL1)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release
Portland, Maine- The Portland Sea Dogs and UnumProvident have announced that Kevin Millar and Bob Ganley are this year's inductees into the Portland Sea Dogs Hall of Fame. The announcement was made prior to Saturday's Sea Dogs game against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays) at Hadlock Field. Throughout the 2006 season, the Sea Dogs had ballots available for fans to vote for this year's class. Each season one player and one non-playing personality are inducted into the Hall of Fame. To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, players must have debuted with the Sea Dogs at least ten years ago. Last year's inductees were Charles Johnson and Carlos Tosca.
This year's ballot included players Edgar Renteria, Kevin Millar, Mike Redmond and Billy McMillon. The non-player nominees were Bob Ganley and John Boles. Each inductee is presented a plaque for their accomplishment. In addition a banner with the Hall of Fame members will be displayed in the Hadlock Field concourse. Fans can also visit www.seadogs.com for Hall of Fame plaquesll, bios, and video and audio clips of the Hall of Fame members.
Kevin Millar was one of the most popular Sea Dogs in franchise history. Millar ranks as Portland's franchise record holder in 14 different offensive categories. After helping the Sea Dogs to the playoffs in 1996 by hitting .318 with 18 home runs and 86 RBI, Millar returned to Portland the following season to put up one of the best seasons in Eastern League history. Millar was named the 1997 Eastern League Most Valuable Player; he was five home runs shy of winning the first Triple Crown in league history. His .342 average and 131 RBI's (seven shy of he league record) led the league, his 32 home runs ranked second in the league behind Binghamton's Matt Raleigh.
Millar reached base safely in 71 straight games over three minor league seasons (1997-1999), the first 46 coming with the Sea Dogs in 1997. The streak of 71 games is tied with former Sea Dog Kevin Youkilis (2003) for the minor league baseball record.
Millar spent five seasons with the Florida Marlins before signing with the Boston Red Sox in 2003. He quickly became a fan favorite and helped popularize the slogan "Cowboy Up" - which became the 2003 rally cry in the Red Sox Nation. He hit 52 home runs and drove in 220 RBI over three seasons with the Red Sox and won a World Series ring in 2004. Millar also hit the 10,000th home run in Fenway Park history, when he connected for a two-run shot off Baltimore's Travis Driscoll on August 9, 2003. Kevin now plays with the Baltimore Orioles after signing as a free agent prior to the 2006 season.
Robert Ganley served as Portland's City Manager from 1986-2000. While serving, Bob Ganley was passionately insistent that professional baseball would be a tremendous asset to the City of Portland. His leadership, vision, and determination lead to the successful bid to bring the Sea Dogs to Portland as well as the construction of Hadlock Field. Bob was a fixture at the ballpark as he thoroughly enjoyed watching the games from his seats behind the Sea Dogs dugout. In December of 2000 Bob's life was cut short at the age of 51. On April 6, 2001 the Sea Dogs renamed the skybox closest to City Hall in Bob's honor. Today a jersey with Ganley's name and the number 94, signifying the Sea Dogs inaugural season, hang above the Ganley Box at Hadlock Field. As a result of Ganley's efforts, more than 5 million people have enjoyed Hadlock Field and Sea Dogs baseball over the last 13 years.
The Sea Dogs play their final two games of the regular season on Sunday and Monday at 1:00 PM against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Hadlock Field. Tickets are available for both games and can be purchased by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500 or on-line at www.seadogs.com. Sunday is the annual Field of Dreams/ Fan Appreciation Day and team awards will be handed out prior to Monday's regular season finale.
The Sea Dogs magic number to clinch a playoff spot is two. Tickets for the playoffs are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling the Sea Dogs Ticket Office at 207-879-9500. Should the Sea Dogs qualify for post-season play, games three and four (if necessary) of the first round of the playoffs would be held at Hadlock Field on Friday, September 8th and Saturday, September 9th at 6:00 PM.
Eastern League Stories from September 2, 2006
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- Connecticut Comes From Behind To Beat B-Mets - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Reading wins DH opener, 2-0, in 11 innings - Trenton Thunder
- New Hampshire clinches the season series from Portland - Portland Sea Dogs
- Fisher Cats win 1-0 marathon for 7th straight - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Spiehs fuels 5-4 win with his bat - Connecticut Defenders
- Kevin Millar and Bob Ganley Inducted into Sea Dogs Hall of Fame - Portland Sea Dogs
- Heavy rains force postponement of Saturday Curve doubleheader - Altoona Curve
- Tonight's SeaWolves Game Postponed - Erie SeaWolves
- Defenders to host 2007 EL All-Star Game - Connecticut Defenders
- Defenders drop fifth straight game to Mets - Connecticut Defenders
- 9/2 B-Mets Game Notes @ Connecticut - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Portland Sea Dogs Recap - Portland Sea Dogs
- Brandon Moss Named Allied Home Mortgage Big Dog of the Year - Portland Sea Dogs
- 2007 Eastern League All-Star Game - Connecticut Defenders
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