PORTLAND – Hundreds of Boston Red Sox fans packed Monument Square on Monday for a rally celebrating Maine’s allegiance to the team and its new affiliation with the Portland Sea Dogs.

“Maine is second to none in its loyalty to the Red Sox, and for that we salute you,” said Larry Lucchino, the team’s president and CEO.

Lucchino said the Red Sox will celebrate Maine Day on Sunday, Sept. 14, at Fenway Park, an afternoon game against the Chicago White Sox. Gov. John Baldacci will throw out the first ball and the team will honor recipients of scholarships named for former Sen. George Mitchell, a member of the Red Sox ownership.

Following the rally, Red Sox officials visited Youth Alternatives, a Sea Dogs-supported program, to present a $10,000 check, two new mountain bikes and two DVD players. The gifts will be used at youth homes in Saco and Portland.

The rally included members of the Red Sox front office and politicians, but no players, past or present. The team was headed to Texas for a series with the Rangers.

Baldacci hailed Boston’s come-from-behind victory Sunday night over the New York Yankees, saying, “This is the year, folks, this is the year.” He suggested that the chemistry between the Sox and the Sea Dogs would put the parent club over the top.

The governor was followed to the microphone by U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, who went a step further, guaranteeing a world championship.

Lucchino took note of Maine’s representation among Red Sox owners, including philanthropist Harold Alfond and team vice chairman Les Otten. “You guys were present at the creation,” Lucchino said.

Sunday was a great day to be a sports fan, Lucchino said, with Lance Armstrong winning his fifth Tour de France, Portland swimmer Ian Crocker taking a second gold medal at the world championships and the Red Sox coming away with “two out three from the evil empire – you can’t beat that.”

Other speakers included Otten, former Red Sox manager Joe Morgan and officials of the Sea Dogs, who are marking their first season as Boston’s minor league affiliate in Class AA.

Sea Dogs mascot Slugger worked the crowd and shared the stage with his big league counterpart, Wally the Green Monster.

The Bellamy Jazz Band entertained fans and Sea Dogs players signed autographs before NESN’s Bob Rodgers opened the program with a string of contests that offered Red Sox jerseys and other souvenirs as prizes. Rodgers was in town to broadcast Portland’s Monday night doubleheader with the Trenton Thunder.