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.
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As manager, Mike Hargrove wrote Cal Ripken Jr.'s name onto this lineup card the day he passed Al Kaline on the all time hits list
As manager, Mike Hargrove wrote Cal Ripken Jr.'s name onto this lineup card the day he passed Al Kaline on the all time hits list
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 was the 3,008th hit of his career. With that he passed Tiger legend Al Kaline on the all-time hits list.
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.
Reverse of lineup card show the Seattle Kingdome's ground rules
Reverse of lineup card show the Seattle Kingdome's ground rules
As is customary with lineup cards of this vintage, this one shows the stadium ground rules on the back. Though most of the rules are standard to all stadiums, the Seattle Kingdome had some issues all its own.
Near the top of the ground rules is the portion called, “HITTING SUSPENDED OBJECTS”. It reads, “A batted ball hitting any suspended object, such as speakers, wires, streamers, etc., in fair territory shall be judged fair or foul in relation to where it lands or is touched by a fielder. If caught by a fielder, the batter is out and base runners advance on their own risk”.
The Kingdome was imploded on March 26, 2000.
