Jeff Bailey got the phone call today that he has been waiting for all his life. After 11 years of life in Minor League Basbeall inlcuding three with the Portland Sea Dogs, Bailey will join the Boston Red Sox today. Bailey is the 142nd Sea Dog to reach the Major Leagues and the second within the last seven days.

Bailey's professional career got off to a good start when he was selected in the second round of the June 1997 draft by the Florida Marlins. By 2001 he had made his way up to Double-A Portland, a team that featured Josh Beckett. In 129 games with the Sea Dogs in 2001, Bailey hit .241 with 13 home runs. Bailey was traded to the Montreal Expos organization for the 2002 season, where he played at Double-A Harrisburg and ranked second in the Eastern League with a .416 on base percentage.

After two seasons in the Expos organization, Bailey was released. On November 7, 2003, Bailey was signed by the Boston Red Sox as a minor league free agent and assisgned to Double-A Portland. Bailey is one of five players to play with the Sea Dogs as both a Marlins and Red Sox affiliate.

In 2004 with the Sea Dogs, Bailey was an Eastern League All-Star, as he hit .294 in 91 games with 13 home runs and 58 RBI's. Bailey would split time between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket in 2005. Bailey had an outstanding season in 2006 with the Pawsox hitting .275 in 134 games. He led all Red Sox minor leaguers with 22 home runs and was third among Red Sox farmhands with 82 RBI's.

Bailey is among the Sea Dogs career leaders in a number of offensive categories, he ranks third in home runs (33) and fifth in RBI's (150). He holds the Sea Dogs franchise record for RBI's in a game with seven, accomplished on June 16, 2006 against Harrisburg.

Bailey is a solid hitter who can play first base, outfield, and catch. It is great to see him finally get a chance to play at the highest level.

CALIFORNIA LEAGUE TRIPLE CROWN THREAT, BUBBA BELL, JOINS SEA DOGS

The Boston Red Sox have promoted outfielder Bubba Bell from Single-A Lancaster to Double-A Portland. Sea Dogs’ left-handed pitcher Tommy Hottovy was placed on the disabled list with a left forearm strain.

The 24 year-old Bell leads the California League in virtually every offensive category including average (.370), home runs (22), and RBI’s (83). Additionally he leads the league in runs scored (95), hits (119), extra base hits (50), and slugging percentage (.455). He ranks second in the league in doubles (27) and on base percentage (.665). The JetHawks outfielder was selected as the MVP of the California League/Carolina League All-Star Game going 3-5 with two RBI’s. On Wednesday night, Bell was 3-6 as the JetHawks captured the first half Southern Division California League title, clinching a playoff spot at the end of the season. Bell has twice been named the California League Player of the Week, capturing the honors for the week of April 5th-April 15th and May 21st-May 27th. Bell was also honored as the Red Sox Offensive Player of the Month for the month of April. The Paris, Texas resident was selected by the Red Sox in the 39th round of the June 2005 draft.

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