JOSH WEIR
CLEVELAND — Asked about his role as manager of the great Indians teams of the late 1990s, Mike Hargrove quipped, “I guess someone had to drive the bus, didn’t they?”
The bus’ next stop is Progressive Field’s Heritage Park, where Hargrove will be inducted into the Indians Hall of Fame this afternoon before the Tribe faces the Angels.
“I don’t know that I deserve this honor but I’m certainly very appreciative of it,” he said. “I feel terribly excited and extremely humbled.”
Hargrove will be inducted along with former manager and second baseman Joe Gordon, who is being honored posthumously.
As a player, Hargrove batted .292 in seven years (1979-85) with the Indians. His best season was 1980, when he hit .304 with 11 home runs and 85 RBIs. He also led the American League with a .432 on-base percentage in 1981.
But it was as manager that Hargrove really left his mark. The Indians went 721-591 in his nine seasons (1991-99), winning five division crowns and two AL pennants. Hargrove’s win total is second only to Lou Boudreau’s 728 in franchise history.
“The managing part of it was more exciting, more meaningful,” he said. “... We were playing for something in October, and that’s really what it’s all about.”
Both World Series appearances (’95, ‘97) ended in losses. Hargrove said he still thinks about the 11-inning loss in Game 7 of ‘97 to the Marlins. He can still see that groundball bouncing over Tony Fernandez’s glove.
Asked by a fan recently how long it took him to get over that game, Hargrove said, “As soon as it happens I’ll let you know.”
Hargrove, who recently managed a college summer league team in Kansas, said he’d like to manage one more time. “But it would really have to be the right place,” he added “And the people who offered me the job would have to be convinced I wouldn’t quit on them.”
Hargrove left the Mariners last year in the middle of a hot streak.
