LEWISTON – Jay Johnson of the Portland Sea Dogs will speak at the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary noon meeting on Thursday, Jan. 17, at the Ramada Inn.

His visit is part of the Hot Stove Tour running Jan. 14 to 18. The tour is designed to thank fans for their support and get them excited about baseball throughout the winter.

Johnson will discuss his experiences in baseball and the outlook on the 2008 Sea Dogs team.

Johnson was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 13th round of the 2005 draft and attended Xavier University, where he never missed a game in four years.

He spent most of the 2007 season with the Sea Dogs after beginning the year in High-A Lancaster. He hit a combined .269 with six home runs and 81 RBIs. Johnson had the game-winning hit in Portland’s win over Harrisburg on Aug. 11 at Fenway Park.

Johnson is a native of Crestview Hills, Ky., and is an avid golfer.

The Sea Dogs Hot Stove Tour is making stops at schools, hospitals, civic organizations and media outlets. The 2008 tour takes the Sea Dogs to Augusta, Brunswick, Lewiston, Portland and Scarborough, and Portsmouth, N.H., and Newburyport, Mass.

Those interested in Rotary are invited to attend.