The popular partnership between the Portland Sea Dogs and Boston Red Sox will last at least six years now that the current affiliation agreement has been extended four years.

The four-year extension – the longest allowed for player development contracts in affiliated minor league ball – means the Sea Dogs will remain the Red Sox Double A affiliate at least through the 2008 season.

Red Sox director of player development Ben Cherington called Portland “our northern extension of Red Sox Nation and an integral part of our Red Sox player development triumvirate in New England.”

The Sea Dogs have been operating continuously for 11 seasons – the first nine as the Double A affiliate of the Florida Marlins – and have been a member of the Eastern League all 11 seasons.

Sea Dogs president and general manager Charlie Eshbach is thrilled with the extension and the support he receives from the parent organization.

“We look forward to continuing to work with them as a member of Red Sox Nation,” Eshbach said in a press release.

Eshbach has twice been named Eastern League Executive of the Year, winning the award in 1994 and 2002.

The Sea Dogs’ organization won the Bob Freitas Award in 1999 and the John H. Johnson Award in 2000. The Freitas award honors the top Double-A franchise annually based upon success at the gate, on the field, and the caliber of front office personnel. The John H. Johnson award is Minor League Baseball’s top honor. It’s awarded to the complete franchise in all of Minor League Baseball based upon stability, contributions to the league, contributions to baseball in the community and promotion of the baseball industry.

The Sea Dogs drew a record average of 6,231 fans per game last year – their first as a Red Sox affiliate. They have drawn over four million fans in their 11 seasons.

El Tiante coming to town

Earlier this season, one central figure in the bitter Red Sox-Yankees rivalry in the 1970’s made an appearance at Hadlock Field.

Almost seven weeks after former New York Yankee pitcher Tommy John visited the home of the Portland Sea Dogs, one of John’s principal adversaries on the mound will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

All-time Fenway Park fan favorite and Boston Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant will be the guest of honor for Portland’s June 11 7 p.m. game against New Britain.

Tiant spent eight seasons and compiled a 122-81 record with the Sox from 1971 through 1978. He had three 20-win seasons and a 3.36 ERA during his stint with the Sox.