Clubhouse Comments Following Season Finale Sunday

A Conversation with Manager Michael Schlact

Q: It always feels like it goes by so fast. Is it hard to believe you've completed 5 full seasons in the dugout as the manager of this club? 

Schlact: "The season flies by quicker and quicker every single year. It's been a really fun ride these last 5 seasons that I wouldn't trade for anything. There truly aren't better jobs in baseball than working for this ownership group & front office. I am blessed." 

Q: You have led 5 separate teams to fantastic success. What makes this group special compared to other PaddleHeads teams of years past and how have they built on the culture that has been established? 

Schlact: "All of our teams have been special to me. They all hold a special place in my heart. This team bonded and grew immediately from day 1. There was a mix of veterans who laid down the law and rookies who were willing to learn and grow. When you combine that with learning from adversity in a positive way and having an awesome mindset every day, you get a team like this." 

Q: You had your battles on this 9 game road trip. The way you scratched and clawed your way to a win to wrap up this series illustrates that point. How will that be a nice precursor to what is coming Thursday?

Schlact: "We've played a lot of playoff type games this trip so it couldn't have worked out better for us. Any time you have to lock in for 9 innings and grind to win a baseball game you're preparing for playoff baseball without knowing it."  

Q: Adam Fogel worked his way back into the starting lineup this week coming off the inactive list. He had some ups and downs as the games played out. But that rocket he hit to left field tonight seemed to fire everyone up. How was that a culminating ending to the regular season?

Schlact: "Fogel has been a mainstay on the field and in the clubhouse for how he performs and what he brings to the culture. We knew that Adam would get a big hit for us to fire the boys up and you saw it tonight. It's exactly what we needed and what he needed heading into the postseason."

Q: Idaho Falls is now next on the docket for the first round of the playoffs. They showcased an aggressive offensive style and a contingent of live arms in their pitching staff in your meetings during the regular season. What will be the biggest  challenges of facing this club? 

Schlact: "Idaho Falls is a strong ball club led by two long time big leaguers in Troy Percival & Bob Milacki. I have nothing but respect for them and how they conduct business on the field. Yes, they're tough. It's going to be a lot of fun going toe-to-toe." 

Q: What should fans look forward to the most about playoff baseball coming to the Garden City? 

Schlact: "There's nothing like playoff baseball. Fans who are coming out should expect a lot of intense baseball with a lot on the line and guys who are playing hard every single pitch."