The last time he stood on the Hadlock Field mound, Devern Hansack was leading the Portland Sea Dogs to a historic victory.
Hansack, the winning pitcher in the 2006 Eastern League championship game, threw out the ceremonial first pitch Friday night before the Sea Dogs’ playoff game at Hadlock.
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“Good memories,” Hansack said. “Hopefully I can bring these guys some luck.”
Hansack, now 36, had a memorable day back on Sept. 17, 2006. While celebrating the championship after the game with his teammates, then-Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein took Hansack aside and told him he was going to the Boston for the remainder of the season.
Hansack appeared to have a promising future. He made two appearances with Boston at the end of 2006, including a five-inning no-hitter in a rain-shortened game.
Hansack was one of the last cuts in spring training in 2007 and pitched mostly in Pawtucket in 2007-08 (and only seven major league games). He made just one appearance for Pawtucket in 2009 before shoulder surgery ended his career. “I just never could come back,” he said.
Hansack remained in Maine and now lives in Carrabassett Valley, although he visits his native Nicaragua every year.
SATURDAY’S GAME TIME has been moved to noon because of the threat of rain. The original starting time for Game 4 was 6 p.m.
“Changing the game time … gives us the best chance to get the game in without affecting the remainder of the Eastern League playoff schedule,” Sea Dogs General Manager Geoff Iacuessa said in a press release.
If a Game 5 is needed Sunday, it is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Hadlock.
The Eastern League playoffs are on a very tight schedule. After the first round is completed, Monday is reserved for travel, with the league championship series starting Tuesday in either Akron, Ohio, or Richmond, Virginia.
THE SEA DOGS SAID goodbye to another significant member of their pitching staff when closer Noe Ramirez was promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket, for its run in the International League playoffs. Ramirez replaces reliever Drake Britton, who was called up to Boston. Ramirez (2.14 ERA) had 18 saves for the Sea Dogs this year.
To replace Ramirez, Madison Younginer was promoted from advanced Class A Salem. Younginer, 23, was a big-bonus ($975,000) draft pick out of high school in 2009. In Salem, he had a 4.08 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings. He turned it on in August with a 0.82 ERA.
Ramirez is the second pitcher gone after the regular season. Before the playoffs began, starter Keith Couch (8-2, 2.96) was promoted to Pawtucket. His vacancy was filled by outfielder Rusney Castillo.
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