Mike Hargrove
| Birthdate | 10/26/1949 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1974 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Indians, Mariners, Orioles, Padres, Rangers |
| Positions | First Base, Manager |
Rookie of the Year and All Star Mike Hargrove piloted the Indians to two AL pennants and was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame in 2008.
Leave a commentIn the collection:
Mike Hargrove wrote Cal Ripken Jr.'s name onto this lineup card the day he passed Kaline's hit total
Mike Hargrove wrote Cal Ripken Jr.'s name onto this lineup card the day he passed Kaline's hit total
The 1974 Rookie of the Year, Mike Hargrove played twelve years as a big league first baseman and designated hitter. Boasting a .396 career on-base percentage, Hargrove led the AL in the category in 1981 (.424) and posted four 100-walk seasons. Nicknamed “The Human Rain Delay” because of his routine between each at bat and pitch, Hargrove was popular with the fans.
Hargrove went on to manage 16 years for three different clubs. While at the helm of the Indians, Hargrove pushed the Tribe to five division titles and two World Series appearances.
It was in command of the Orioles that he signed this lineup card from April 25, 2000. The game was notable because of Hargrove’s third baseman, Cal Ripken Jr.
Only 11,658 fans were there as Baltimore battled the White Sox in Chicago. Ripken’s line drive single to right in the top of the third inning is comemorated on Hargrove’s offering. Cal signed it and wrote, “3008 hit passes Detroit’s Al Kaline“.
Hargrove led the Cleveland to five consecutive AL Central Division titles from 1995-1999
Hargrove led the Cleveland to five consecutive AL Central Division titles from 1995-1999
Mike Hargrove spent his final 7 big league seasons playing in Cleveland. Highly respected by Indians management, Hargrove was signed as their manager in the middle of the 1991 season.
For each of the eight full seasons he piloted the Tribe, Hargrove finished in the top six in Manager of the Year Award balloting. He led the team to five consecutive AL Central Division titles from 1995-1999 and guided them to the World Series in ’95 and again in ’97.
For his work, the Indians inducted Hargrove into their team Hall of Fame in 2008.
In the collection is this lineup card from their pennant-winning 1995 campaign. The batting order features future Hall of Famer Dave Winfield who recorded one of the final five hits of his career. Batting second is then 28-year old shortstop Omar Vizquel. Hargrove has signed the bottom of the card as manager of the club.
