With 10 days left in the regular season, the Slammers went on the road for a week and came back with a division title.
Shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez pointed out the anticipation played to the team’s benefit.
“I think there was something to the fact that we didn’t clinch early, that the games were meaningful,” Rodriguez said. “We showed when we needed to win some games, we were able to do it.”
The Slammers took three of four games against Washington and then clinched the Frontier League East Division during the Lake Erie series to earn their first playoff berth since they won the league in 2011.
“First and foremost, getting in the playoffs is exciting to us,” said Slammers manager Jeff Isom said, who’s in his third year. “Our goal at the start of the season was we want to win the championship.
“But in order to get that championship, you’ve got to make the playoffs. So we’re one step closer.”
Before they leave Joliet again to open a best-of-five division series Tuesday against Evansville, the Slammers have their final regular-season home series to soak in the title.
Slammers owner Nick Semaca congratulated the team on the field before Friday’s series opener against Traverse City at Silver Cross Field.
“Let’s give them a round of applause and send them to the playoffs in style,” Semaca said to the crowd. “We’re really excited that we’re going to keep playing baseball in September.”
More Top Picks Ice Cube Trays
The Slammers also claimed three individual awards to go with the division title. Right-hander Liam O’Sullivan was named pitcher of the year, Isom won manager of the year and Andrew Gates was named trainer of the year by the league.
O’Sullivan (11-1, 3.32 ERA) led the league in wins and was second in strikeouts (109). He returned to the Slammers on July 7 less than a week after the Diamondbacks declined to sign him after he underwent an MRI on his shoulder.
“When that happened, I struggled with the whole process of it all,” O’Sullivan said. “It was my first shot at affiliated ball. It obviously didn’t work out, but my goal when I came back here was to do the best I could do for this team. Win as many games as I could. I couldn’t have done it without these guys.”
Isom had similar thoughts about winning manager of the year. He also earned the award in 2002 with Washington.
“I’m happy about having that award, but having the people around me that I do makes me look good,” Isom said. “Part of my award is due to (assistant coach) Chris Mongiardo and Gates, and obviously the players.”
Joliet (50-43) won just 40 games two years ago and 42 last season.
“That left a bad taste in my mouth,” Isom said. “I feel like we did a good job of bringing guys back who were well deserving from last year. That’s been a core of our offense for this season.”
Rodriguez played all 96 games with the Slammers last season and has been among the team’s leading hitters again.
“We have these next few days to kind of pat ourselves on the back, then it’s on to the next series,” Rodriguez said.
Third baseman Jake Gronsky also appreciates having a final series before the playoffs.
“We can start getting our bodies prepared, get our team prepared,” he said. “Get ourselves ready to go.”
As for next year, the Slammers announced Friday they will host the 2017 All-Star Game on July 12 at Silver Cross Field.
Tim Tierney is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.