Portland Sea Dogs extend baseball merchandise winning streak
Photo / Renee Cordes
Portland Sea Dogs mascot Slugger is a popular merchandise motif for the team.
When it comes to merchandise sales for Minor League Baseball teams, the Portland Sea Dogs keep knocking it out of the park.
The league's latest annual list of the top 25 teams in 2019 merchandise sales, out of 160 teams total, once again includes the Sea Dogs, which has made the list 26 times out of the last 27 years. A Minor League Baseball clerical error kept the Sea Dogs off the list in 2015.
Chris Cameron, the Sea Dogs' vice president of communications and fan experience, told Mainebiz Tuesday that the team is honored to once again make the Top 25, adding, "I think it is a testament to our fans and how well they support the organization. People are proud to wear their Sea Dogs gear, it gives us a great sense of community."
Connecticut-born cartoonist Guy Gilchrist of "Nancy" comic strip fame created the Sea Dogs logo, which has remained essentially unchanged in the franchise's 26 seasons. It features team mascot Slugger, a feisty but lovable seal bursting through the letter "P" with a bat in his mouth.
The only tweak to the logo occurred at the end of the 2002, season when the team altered the color from teal to red when the organization switched affiliations from the Florida Marlins to the Boston Red Sox.
“Certainly, this season with no Minor League Baseball, merchandise sales are a crucial part of our operations,” Sea Dogs President and General Manager Geoff Iacuessa said in a statement. “We are fortunate that we have got both a great logo that has universal appeal and an incredible fan base that is proud to show off their support for the team.”
Traditional items including fitted hats, logo balls and t-shirts are among the Sea Dogs’ best sellers. Maine Whoopie Pies merchandise was also popular last season as the Sea Dogs re-branded for one game in honor of Maine’s official state treat.
Sea Dogs merchandise is sold year-round at the Hadlock Field Souvenir Store as well as online. During the current season suspended because of COVID-19, the team has added new merchandise including "Hadlinks" T-shirts as a souvenir of this summer's temporary golf course and a navy blue Sea Dogs face mask featuring the team logo.
As for this year's top sellers, they are the 2020 "Undefeated Season" T-shirts (No. 1), followed by the Mystery Box with items including a random bobblehead and miscellaneous items; the face mask; a two-tone hat in retro teal colors; a Vintage Navy Hat; and a retro teal logo hat, according to John Kameisha, senior vice president and assistant general manager for the Portland Sea Dogs.
Cameron added that nearly 600 of the 2020 "Undefeated Season" T-shirts sold in the five days they were available for pre-sale.
He also said that Sea Dogs face masks have also been in high demand, and that some of the team's retro teal logo merchandise has also been selling well.
Minor League Baseball announced its list of top 25 teams in licensed merchandise sales for 2019, with the combined totals of all 160 teams setting a Minor League Baseball record with more than $85.7 million in retail sales.
The $85.7 million total marks a 16% increase over 2018’s total of $73.9 million in retail sales. The totals are based on total licensed merchandise sales for 2019, and include the 160 teams in the domestic-based leagues that charge admission to their games.
Numbers were not broken down by team, and the top 25 were listed only alphabetically.
They are: the Albuquerque Isotopes, Amarillo Sod Poodles, Charlotte Knights, Columbus Clippers, Corpus Christi Hooks, Dayton Dragons, Durham Bulls, El Paso Chihuahuas, Fayetteville Woodpeckers, Fresno Grizzlies, Hartford Yard Goats, Las Vegas Aviators, Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Louisville Bats, Nashville Sounds, Pawtucket Red Sox, Portland Sea Dogs, Richmond Flying Squirrels, Rochester Red Wings, Sacramento River Cats, Salt Lake Bees, Tacoma Rainiers, Toledo Mud Hens, Trenton Thunder and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.
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