Hargrove Visits with the ‘Sportsguys’

Liberal Bee Manager Mike Hargrove was a guest on the ‘Sportsguys’ Friday morning.

Hargrove who was nicknamed the ‘Human Rain Delay’ said he isn’t a big fan of the nickname but that it was given to him for his routine before stepping in the batter’s box. He said he was really kind ahead of his time as in today’s game it is completely normal and pretty much a given that players take their time in between pitches.

Hargrove also talked about his playing days in the Major Leagues, and what led him to wanting to manage in the big leagues. He said almost every player in baseball that he talked to while playing had some sort of interest in managing. He said someone once told him the two things that all men think they can do is cook a steak and manage a baseball team.

Hargrove was selected to play in the All-Star game in just his second year in the Majors and it had him star struck as he was just a year and a half removed from Perryton where meeting the mayor was a big deal. He later on managed the American League in two All-Star games where he went 1-1.

Hargroves’s biggest disappointment as a player was not making the postseason. However, as a manager he led the Cleveland Indians to two World Series appearances in 1995 and 1997.

Hargrove didn’t think living the life of a Major League player and manager was going to be the life he would live while growing up. He began dating his wife Sharon when they were in the 7th grade and they had talked about what the future may hold and Hargrove thought his life would likely involve teaching and coaching football.

Hargrove enjoys playing golf and has made it apart of his summer in Liberal. Hargrove and the Bee Jays will leave for Derby Friday night as they play a two game series against the Twins on Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. Both games will air on 1270 AM and kscb.net.