For baseball fans following the Bisons during this unprecedented era of success, this is usually the time of year that fans here start penciling in post Labor Day playoff dates. Just look back at the past 11 seasons and the team’s affiliation with the Cleveland Indians, and the stats tell all…nine playoff appearances, six division championships, three league championships.

Yet this year is different…here it is, August, and pennant chase time, yet the Bisons find themselves in a tough five-way race for the lone wild card berth, and 5.5 games behind front-runner Scranton for the North Division title. As the season winds down, August 31 could well become the final home game of the year.

Bisons Manager Torey Lovullo has known nothing but success in his managerial career, leading his teams to championships at (A) Kinston and (AA) Akron. “These are uncharted waters for many of the guys including myself,” Lovullo admitted. “Buffalo expects winners. I know that both when I played here and now as a manager.” Lovullo calls the team’s performance this year “unacceptable.” “But are we going to grind through it? That answer is yes.”

Lovullo readily states that April and May were awful months for the team, but he is nonetheless very satisfied with the team’s progress and performance these past three weeks. “I’ve been very pleased with the intensity level, the passion, and the idea of thinking baseball.”

In a season that has largely been devoid of magical moments, nonetheless the Bisons have had two special games just this past month—on July 23 the Bisons scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to beat Syracuse 7-6. The emotional on field celebration spilled into the clubhouse. Three days later pitcher Jeremy Guthrie threw a complete game one-hitter, the first one for the Bisons since 1991, earning Guthrie a dousing of shaving cream from his teammates as he attempted to do a post game television interview.

Do events like this really lift a team and help things out in the long run? “Absolutely,” was Lovullo’s emphatic reply. “There have been some defining games for me, when, after that particular game, I’d say ‘now we’re finally getting there.’ But those two games really seemed to get this team kick started, and now I feel like we’re riding the up elevator.”

One of the newest additions to the Bisons lineup is infielder Kevin Kouzmanoff, who was called up from Akron on July 28 and has already made his mark on the team, batting .333 with three home runs and taking over the cleanup spot in the lineup. Kouzmanoff put up some eye-popping numbers at AA, earning a league-leading .389 batting average with 15 home runs and 55 RBI. “When you’re hitting at the .400 level in any league, you’re having a successful year, and that speaks volumes about what kind of a player you are,” Lovullo said. “Now he is very much on Cleveland’s map. Any time he makes contact with the ball you feel that something exciting is going to happen.”

Kouzmanoff’s team in Akron has been leading their division all season, and he hopes to bring that winning attitude into the Bisons clubhouse. “This whole team is taking the approach about worrying about tonight’s game, and tomorrow will take care of itself,” he said. “That’s a good approach to take.” This is Kouzmanoff’s first stint at AAA, and he is enjoying the big league feel at this level. “The stadium’s are bigger, there are larger crowds.” This is his first time ever in Buffalo, and he admits he got lost on his first day here. His impressions of the city? “Well the ballpark is great but I just got here,” he said. “Ask me again in three weeks.”

The Bisons square off against division opponents from here on in, and in a way can control their destiny. Can this team strike it big and make the playoffs for the 10th time in 12 seasons? Lovullo answered, “In this clubhouse we feel like we have a legitimate chance. And we know we can make some noise in this playoff run and that should be exciting for the fans to watch.”

“It’s been a challenging year,” concluded Lovullo. “My job is to mold 25 different personalities into one team concept. Guys who should be getting the call up aren’t. Prospects are skipping over veterans. But what I’ve asked them to do is put all personal issues aside for the good of the team. These guys were scattered all over the place when I first got here, and my success as a manager will be to mold them into a group that acts and plays professionally. I hope I’ve managed to achieve that.”

BISONS A HOT TICKET?

Fewer than 1,800 tickets remain for the Bisons final home game, “Fan Appreciation Night,” on Thursday, August 31 at 7:05pm vs. Rochester. “Between all the great prizes and a fantastic fireworks show, Fan Appreciation Night has quickly become one of the favorite games for our great fans to attend,” said Mike Buczkowski, vice president and general manager of the Buffalo Bisons. “The night is becoming a tradition that we are very proud of and it’s truly the only way to end a fantastic season.” The event will feature the second largest fireworks show of the summer at the ballpark.