Professional Team of the Year
In 2017 the Chattanooga Lookouts, won a franchise record 91 games during the regular season and were crowned Southern League Champions. Under S.L Manager of the Year Jake Mauer, the Lookouts were dominant all season long, finishing with the best record in the league (91-49) and the third best in Minor League Baseball.
After a record-setting regular season, Chattanooga wrapped up the year in the most memorable way possible. With the Southern League Northern Division Series tied 2-2 and the championship on the line, the Lookouts and the Montgomery Biscuits returned to AT&T Field for a winner-take-all game five. As the Lookouts prepared to hit heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, they found themselves behind 2-1 with their championship aspirations seemingly about to be cut agonizingly short.
The Lookouts may have been crowned 2017 Southern League Champions thanks to that swing of Rodriguez, whose two-run home run banged off the scoreboard in left field and sent everyone present into a frenzy. Ballgame over. Division series over. Championship won. Though the season wouldn’t have been a success if not for the heroics of an entire roster.