Clearing the Bases Blog Index
February 14, 2009
Farewell Top Dog

The Portland Sea Dogs lost a valuable member Thursday when Harold "Top Dog" Lucas died at his home in Auburn. He was 80.

When fans entered Hadlock Field, Top Dog was one of the first to greet them, hawking scorecards and giving away Slugger cards to kids.

He was energetic, joyful and an inspiration.

His obituary is full of honors and volunteer service. A truly wonderful man.

Posted at 09:04 AM

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Comments

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Lucas Family as well as the extended family of those who have worked for the Portland Sea Dogs. Harold was a wonderful human being with a passion for baseball and life. He will be missed by everyone who has ever passed through gates of Hadlock Field and remembered as a vital part of the atmosphere that has been created in that ballpark.

God bless you Harold...thanks for being so good to me and my family!

-Ken Joyce

Posted by Ken Joyce
February 15, 2009 02:18 PM

Ken said it wonderfully... and I'm sure things won't be the same at the Augusta Civic Center these next couple for weeks without him in the stands.

Posted by Mark
February 16, 2009 12:49 AM

Harold was my uncle... while he was an avid and devoted sports fan - even learning to watch and "appreciate" field hockey (which is not easy!)family was just as important to him... I believe he only missed one Sea Dog game in his career...an important playoff game - to attend my daughter's wedding (his great niece)in Sept 2006. We will miss his stories and antics-and send out love to Gary, Bruce and Karen....

Posted by Stacie
February 16, 2009 10:07 AM

Top Dog was my Uncle. He was the life of the family - full of fun, amazing stories, and passion for kids and sports. He learned to "appreciate" field hockey - not easy! I believe he only missed one Sea Dog game, it was a critical play off game in Sept of 2006 - to attend my daughter's wedding! He was an inpsiration, a character, a beloved uncle, great uncle and a fantastic brother to Bernie.... We will miss you and never forget you! Stacie & Bryce

Posted by Stacie Johnston
February 17, 2009 09:22 AM

I spent the last 14 years with Harold and shared great times with him.He was truly the Top Dog.I will miss him more then words can say.

Posted by Marty Jensen
February 19, 2009 09:46 AM

Hello,
I am deputy dog, otherwise known as Marty Jensen's daughter. Harold was one of my dad's closest friends. Dad and Harold spent time together both at the ball park, and also going to other sporting events throughout Maine. I know my dad will miss him terribly. Harold was a fun, nice man and I'm glad to have known him.
-Mary Maloney

Posted by Mary MAloney
February 19, 2009 10:20 AM

I had the pleasure of getting to spend the last 7 years of "Tourney Time" with Harold, his sidekick Marty and friend Dave at the Augusta Civic Center. My station was just in front of the boys and from Day 1 Harold was just an absolute joy to be around - whether it was listening to all of the stories he told (and he had a few!), pulling pranks on him (quite often - like "fake" spilled coffee, sabotaging his programs that he kept "detailed" records in), enjoying the conversation at dinner or just watching some of the great basketball. Year after year, people (and even players like Rosie and Uma) would return to search him out and say hello. With Harold, the glass wasn't half-full...it was overflowing. I'll miss you my friend. Bob.

Posted by Bob Moore
February 20, 2009 01:22 PM

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Kevin covers baseball for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. He first reported on spring training games for the St. Petersburg Times in 1978. He wisely moved to Maine in 1994 and now writes about the Portland Sea Dogs and Boston Red Sox—when he's not coaching Little League baseball.

He is married to Nancy, and the couple recently completed their lineup card with the birth of their ninth child.



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