Mike Hargrove

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Dudley Michael Hargrove (born October 26, 1949 in Perryton, Texas) is a former Major League Baseball player and the current manager of the Seattle Mariners.

A first baseman who batted and threw left-handed, Hargrove played with the Texas Rangers (1974-78), San Diego Padres (1979) and Cleveland Indians (1979-85). After retiring, he managed for the Indians, Baltimore Orioles, and Seattle Mariners.

During his playing days, Hargrove was nicknamed "The Human Rain Delay" for his deliberate routine at the plate as he analyzed each game situation. Nevertheless, he was a solid career .290 hitter with 80 home runs and 686 RBI in 1666 games. He won both the AL Rookie of the Year and The Sporting News Rookie of the Year awards in 1974, after hitting a career-high .323 with the Rangers (he is the only Ranger ever to be so honored). Afterwards, he made the AL All-Star squad in 1975 and led the league first basemen in assists twice.

Entering the 2005 season, Hargrove has a career major league managerial record of 996-963, including 721-591 with the Indians (1991-99). He led his team to five consecutive AL Central Division titles in 1995-99, and World Series appearances in 1995 and 1997. Later, he managed Baltimore from 2000-03.

On October 20, 2004, Hargrove was hired to manage the Seattle Mariners and turn around the team after its worst season since 1983. He agreed to a three-year deal through the 2007 season.

As of September 22, 2006, Hargrove's record as Seattle manager is 144-171, including a 93 loss season record in 2005.

[edit] Trivia

Between high school and his major league debut, all four of the teams for which he played (Perryton High, Class A, Class AA, and Texas) all shared the same nickname, the Rangers.

Hargrove's nickname as a player has been switched to "Human Brain Delay" by some fans due to his questionable managerial decisions.

In a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on July 22, 1999, Hargrove handed in an incorrect lineup card, forcing Cleveland to give up the DH and bat pitcher Charles Nagy in the 7th spot of the batting order. Nagy went 0-for-2 as the Indians lost, 4-3.

Hargrove lost 90 games or more from 2001-2005.

He was inducted in the Kinston Professional Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992.

[edit] External links

Baseball-Reference.com - career playing statistics and managing record
BaseballLibrary.com - career highlights

Preceded by Al Bumbry	American League Rookie of the Year 1974	Succeeded by Fred Lynn
Preceded by John McNamara	Cleveland Indians Manager 1991-1999	Succeeded by Charlie Manuel
Preceded by Ray Miller	Baltimore Orioles Manager 2000-2003	Succeeded by Lee Mazzilli
Preceded by Bob Melvin	Seattle Mariners Manager 2005-	Succeeded by Current Manager