EL1 Portland Sea Dogs

Sea Dogs Announce 2014 Team Awards

Published on September 1, 2014 under Eastern League (EL1)
Portland Sea Dogs News Release


Portland, Maine - The Portland Sea Dogs, Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, presented their annual team awards for the 2014 season prior to Monday's final game of the season. The team awards are voted on by the fans and are presented by Irving Oil and Creative Awards. The team awards are handed out in four different categories: Most Valuable Player, Pitcher of the Year, 10th Player Award and Citizen of the Year.

Blake Swihart was selected as the MVP and Henry Owens as the Pitcher of the Year. Derrik Gibson earned the 10th Player Award and Mike McCarthy was selected as the Citizen of the Year.

Most Valuable Player - Blake Swihart 92 G, .300, 23 2B, 12 HR, 55 RBI

Blake Swihart excelled both offensively and defensively for the Portland Sea Dogs in 2014. In 92 games with Portland, the catcher compiled a .300 (104-for-347) average with 23 doubles, three triples, 12 home runs and 55 RBI. The 22 year-old earned a promotion to Triple-A Pawtucket on August 4th. At the time of his promotion, Swihart led the team in hits (104), doubles (23), total bases (169), and multi-hit games (30). Defensively he led all Eastern League catchers in percentage of base runners caught stealing at .475 (28-of-59) and he did not have allow a passed ball on the season. He represented the Sea Dogs on the Eastern Division All-Star roster at the Eastern League All-Star Game in Altoona, PA. The Rio Rancho, New Mexico native hit safely in 68 of 82 games, reached base safely in his first 13 Double-A games and 77 of his 92 with the 'Dogs. He was drafted by the Red Sox in the first round (26th Overall) of the 2011 Draft.

Pitcher of the Year - Henry Owens 20 GS, 14-4, 2.60 ERA, 121.0 IP, 126 SO

The 2014 Eastern League Pitcher of the Year went 14-4 with a 2.60 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 20 games for the Sea Dogs. He opened the season with a six inning, rain-shortened no-hitter April 3rd against the Reading Fightin Phils, the first complete game, no-hitter, in Portland's franchise history. The lefty was promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket on August 1st. At the time of his promotion, Owens lead the league in wins (14), strikeouts (126), complete games (3), shutouts (2), and average against (.201). He became the first player in Sea Dogs franchise history to win 14 games in a single season. He also established new franchise records by hurling 27.2 consecutive scoreless innings from May 19 through June 14 and winning nine consecutive starts from May 24 through July 19. He was selected to play in the MLB All-Star Futures Game, where he started for the U.S. squad and tossed a scoreless first inning. He was selected to participate in the Eastern League All-Star Game and was named the left-handed pitcher on the Eastern League Year-End All-Star. In 26 career Double-A starts with the Sea Dogs, the southpaw has notched a 17-5 record and holds the franchise career record for ERA at 2.44 (41 ER/ 151.1 IP), surpassing the previous record held by Jon Lester at 2.61. Owens, a native of Huntington Beach, California, was selected by the Red Sox in the supplemental round (36th overall) of the June 2011 draft.

10th Player of the Year - Derrik Gibson 85 G, .302 AVG, 15 2B, 2 HR, 26 RBI

Derrik Gibson provided timely hitting, served as a true utility-man playing second base, shortstop, third base, and all three outfield positions with great prowess and surpassed the team's expectations in so many ways with a breakout 2014 season. He hit .302 (88-for-291) with 15 doubles, three triples, two home runs and 26 runs batted in 85 games with the Sea Dogs. Gibson shined in the games following Mookie Betts' promotion to Pawtucket as he took over both in centerfield and in the leadoff spot of the batting order. In that top spot, Gibson hit .320 (54-for-169) with 32 runs scored, 18 extra-base hits, and 10 RBI. Defensively patrolling center, he had three assists in 112 total chances, good enough to be tied for second on the team. Gibson was named an Eastern League Mid-Season All-Star and went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and two runs scored. The Seaford, Delaware native entered his third season with the Sea Dogs; in 288 career Double-A games he compiled a .255 (244-for-956) average with four homers and 74 RBI through 2014. He made his Triple-A debut with the PawSox on July 12th and was promoted for good on August 3rd. Gibson was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 2nd round, 77th overall, in the June 2008 draft.

Citizen of the Year - Mike McCarthy

Mike McCarthy dedicated much of the 2014 season to community involvement. McCarthy created a partnership between the Sea Dogs and Baseball Miracles to host an equipment drive at Hadlock Field. The three day drive brought in truck loads of donations. All of the collected baseball equipment is donated to under privileged children so that all kids will have the opportunity to play ball. In the spring he made frequent appearances at schools to talk about the importance of education, saying no to drugs and alcohol, and discussing life as a professional athlete. Throughout the course of the summer, McCarthy volunteered his time teaching children the fundamentals of baseball at several free clinics offered at Hadlock Field. He made visits to the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital. He spent more time signing autographs at the Sea Dogs autograph table than any other player this season. Additionally, McCarthy volunteered his time to personally call and thank Sea Dogs Season Ticket Holders throughout the season. In 27 games this season with the Sea Dogs, the 26-year old has produced a 10-4 record with a 4.82 ERA. The Brentwood, California resident was selected by the Red Sox in the 14th round of the June 2011 draft.

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