Hearty hello

By KEVIN THOMAS, Portland Press Herald Writer

Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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	Staff photo by Lianne Milton Nothing like a breezy sunner day, a few hundred people - including some pro baseball players - and free bobblehead dolls to get the attention of sports campers like Andrew Schwartz, 9, left, and Jack Cutler, 8, of South Portland.
	Staff photo by Lianne Milton Slugger the Sea Dog shares the stage at the Boston Red Sox rally at Monument Square on Monday with some other well-known folks. From left, Red Sox President and CEO Larry Lucchino, holding a key to the city, U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, Portland Mayor James Cloutier, Portland Sea Dogs owner Dan Burke and Gov. John Baldacci.
	Staff photo by Lianne Milton Jack True and his dad, Troy, of Durham, enjoy the atmosphere of the Red Sox rally Monday in Monument Square.
	Staff photo by Lianne Milton Portland Sea Dogs pitcher Jake Chapman signs the T-shirt of Ally Watkins of Townsend, Mass., as players for the Sea Dogs, a Red Sox affiliate, joined the party.
	Today's Question Each day, we ask MaineToday.com readers for their reactions to events in the news: This poll is not a scientific survey of reader opinion. The results are a snapshot of what readers are thinking. See the results of past questions from the past seven days and find out about how the poll works, check Previous Days' Question. To top of story

After Boston's emotional 6-4 win over the New York Yankees on Sunday night, a thought crossed Larry Lucchino's mind.

"I thought of how much more pleasant the trip to Portland would be," said Lucchino, the Red Sox president and CEO.

Lucchino, along with others from the Red Sox front office, joined a group of elected Maine officials for a "Maine Day Rally" for the Red Sox on Monday afternoon in Monument Square. It was another in a series of such rallies throughout the states of New England.

As expected, Lucchino announced that Sept. 14 will be Maine Day at Fenway Park, with Mainers being recognized before the game with the Chicago White Sox.

Monday's rally drew about 1,500 fans, although there were no players or coaches from the Red Sox. Former manager Joe Morgan did make an appearance. Owner John Henry was also a no-show. Lucchino said Henry was wiped out after the Yankees series this weekend.

Many of Monday's speakers focused on the recent series win over the loathed Yankees, especially Sunday's come-from-behind victory.

"What a great game last night," said Gov. John Baldacci. "This is the year, folks. This is the year."

Others got caught up in the moment, including U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, who grew up in Portland.

"I lived and died with the Red Sox," he said. "I mostly died.

"But this is the year the Red Sox win it, and I guarantee it."

Besides the obvious Red Sox fever, there was also a presence from the Portland Sea Dogs, the Red Sox's Double-A minor-league affiliate. Sea Dog players were on hand before the rally to sign autographs. Manager Ron Johnson made a few comments and mascot Slugger the Sea Dog entertained - along with Red Sox mascot Wally the Green Monster.

Lucchino made no further announcements beyond the mention of Maine Day. He did address a number of topics earlier, during a talk with editors and reporters of the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram.

On the Red Sox's minor-league affiliation with the Sea Dogs, Lucchino said, "we couldn't be happier with (owner) Dan Burke and (president) Charlie Eshbach."

Although there is concern locally that a new minor-league team in Manchester, N.H., may someday lure away the Red Sox affiliation, Lucchino said the Sea Dogs do not have to worry about competition if the Red Sox-Sea Dogs "relationship develops as well as it has."

Les Otten, a Red Sox vice chairman and a resident of Newry, Maine, said the Red Sox made "the choice to come here (with a minor-league team) and that should say a lot . . . Where we're going to end up in 24, 36 months, I'm not going to guess."

Concerning a Red Sox exhibition game at Hadlock Field before next season, Lucchino would not commit to it.

"But we would not rule it out," he said.

During the rally, Lucchino received the key to the city from Portland Mayor Jim Cloutier.

After the rally, the Red Sox officials visited a group home of Youth Alternatives, a primary charity of the Portland Sea Dogs. They presented Youth Alternatives a $10,000 check, two mountain bikes and two DVD players.

Staff Writer Kevin Thomas can be contacted at 791-6411 or at: kthomas@pressherald.com

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