MLB - Sports Rumors

Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:12 am EDT

Mike Hargrove wants to manage Cleveland again

By Mark Miller

The Cleveland Indians are looking for a new manager and Mike Hargrove would apparently like to be considered for the gig, according to the Boston Globe.

Hargrove, of course, managed the Indians from 1991 to 1999 and took the team to the postseason five years in a row, losing the World Series twice (to the Atlanta Braves in 1995 and the Florida Marlins in 1997). He went on to manage the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners.

Now he wants to return to the helm in Cleveland. And who can blame him? He's apparently keeping himself busy during the summer months by managing the Liberal (Kansas) BeeJays, a semi-professional team that he played for college.

Unfortunately, for Hargrove it doesn't appear that he's even in the running for the gig. The Cleveland Plain Dealer is saying that he hasn't even been interviewed for the job and that the team is at the point of cutting its list of candidates down to five. Former Washington Nationals coach Manny Acta is believed to be one of those five as well as former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine. Others interviewed have been Travis Fryman (manager of Indians' single-A affiliate) and Torey Lovullo (Indians' triple-A manager).

Source: Boston GlobeNew WindowCleveland Plain DealerNew Window

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45 Comments

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  1. Jo Bangles
    1. Posted by Jo Bangles Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:34 am EDT

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    Nothing like a Liberal BJ to start off the morning.
  2. Joe runner
    2. Posted by Joe runner Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:37 am EDT

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    I would take Hargrove over any one of the others listed as in the running
  3. dagoldeneagle
    3. Posted by dagoldeneagle Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:45 am EDT

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    indians are a joke.
    hargrove has a very good track record.
    acta is flat out retarded. and single-a managers? give me a break.
    hire hargrove or valentine. they need to make a splash.
  4. Matt
    4. Posted by Matt Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:45 am EDT

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    Fore real #2. Louvollo would be the WORST choice possible. It'd be Wedge Part II. Don't pick anyone who's never coached in the MLs. It NEVER works! Fryman doesn't have the experience (or the desire) to be manager.
    While I like Acta....didn't exactly do much in Washington (though not sure anyone could have really). Valentine is a nice option....but what does he bring that Hargrove doesn't? So he's managed in Japan.....Indians have ZERO Japanese players on the roster, and that's not likely to change anytime soon as we're not gonna be outbidding teams for players.
    Hargrove at least knows this team as he was an assistant to Shapiro not too long ago. Would be a great choice IMO.
  5. MarkN
    5. Posted by MarkN Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:46 am EDT

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    Why would the Indians do that - it would make too much sense!
  6. CARY
    6. Posted by CARY Mon Oct 19, 2009 8:57 am EDT

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    Hargrove was a good coach. The front office shot him in the foot every year. They had a great team, but never had any pitching. They got rid of Hargrove, got rid of the good players & picked up some pitches. Now, they have gotten rid of the good pitchers again & have very few good player. Bring Mike back.
  7. str A's hooter
    7. Posted by str A's hooter Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:09 am EDT

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    Cleveland has gotton rid of all of their good players. Why would anyone want to manage there???!!! Hargrove would be better off staying with his semi-pro in Kansas!
  8. Artist formerly known as Evil Empire!
    8. Posted by Artist formerly known as Evil Empire! Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:13 am EDT

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    I say Valentine and Hargrove fight it out on pay per view and winner gets to manage the Indians. This will bring some attention to the franchise again since making another Major League movie isnt an option
  9. David
    9. Posted by David Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:23 am EDT

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    You've got to be kidding. HIRE GROVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  10. itsmemike
    10. Posted by itsmemike Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:34 am EDT

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    Shapiro has proven that he can't handle a manager who would challenge his authority on anything. Heaven forbid you hire a guy with experience and a good feel for the game. It'll be Acta or Lovullo, and again we will groom prospects for the rest of the league to win championships with. BTW, great line, Mr. Bojangles on the Liberal BJ thing.
  11. RaymondGuy
    11. Posted by RaymondGuy Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:36 am EDT

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    Give anyone one managing in Cleveland the return Manny, CC, Cliff, Vic, et al .... Does it matter who manages a MLB Farm Club?
    MLB + Bud Selig = ML BS
  12. Matt
    12. Posted by Matt Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:58 am EDT

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    I guarantee it's not going to be Louvollo.
    But that's about all I can say about who will be the manager. It's so up in the air right now. I do like the process they are going through though.
    While I think Hargrove deserves a look.....the Indians shouldn't just pick him cause of what he did in the 90s.
    Doesn't always work bringing back your manager.......the whole Cito Gatson thing in Toronto is turning into a nightmare......
  13. woodie42
    13. Posted by woodie42 Mon Oct 19, 2009 10:41 am EDT

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    Hargrove's a good man and would do a good job. He probably is more capable than the other possibilities mentioned. If not as manager, bring him back as DH. He's bound to be more productive than Hafner!
  14. Rholfh
    14. Posted by Rholfh Mon Oct 19, 2009 10:48 am EDT

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    Uhh, once you get all flaky and quit a team in a huff in the middle of the freaking season (!!) claiming that you are done with pro baseball, duh that no one wants to hire you.
    Not like people really think he made the Tribe what it was. Them was the days of Manny and Albert...
  15. dagoldeneagle
    15. Posted by dagoldeneagle Mon Oct 19, 2009 11:36 am EDT

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    indians in the '90s: manny ramirez, albert belle, jim thome, roberto alomar, kenny lofton, juan gonzalez (2001), omar vizquel, sandy alomar jr., carlos baegra, herbert perry, not to mention the up and coming brian giles, david bell, and jeromy burnitz
    they were the best offensive team in the major league and a few good arms like dennis martinez, charles nagy, chuck finley, dave burba, jaret wright, bartolo colon, and later cc sabathia, then jose mesa choked...
  16. ginnim3
    16. Posted by ginnim3 Mon Oct 19, 2009 11:46 am EDT

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    I think Hargrove would be excellent or Buck Showalter. They both know how to build and develop talent. The problem with the management of all the clubs is the head office relegateing the managers to babysitters.
  17. Nate M
    17. Posted by Nate M Mon Oct 19, 2009 11:47 am EDT

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    He hasn't even gotten an interview...that is bull crap....give him a shot...he deserves it.....Hardgrove or Bobby V should be the only candidates
  18. MichaelR
    18. Posted by MichaelR Mon Oct 19, 2009 12:14 pm EDT

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    That would probably be a good choice for Cleveland. Hargrove just flat a$$ed quit on the last team he managed. Flew the pink flag while they were on a winning streak, and turned it over to his idiot assistant coach. I will be amused to see what that gutless wonder does in Cleveland after a losing streak.
  19. Thomas C
    19. Posted by Thomas C Mon Oct 19, 2009 12:52 pm EDT

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    Bring back Mike. He and his wife were alway a classy adition for Cleveland. He knows the system, what is expected, could catch up on the talent pretty quick, and would allow the team to bring in the AAA, AA, and or A Managers as assistants and Big League Managers in training. After what we've gone through the last 7 or 8 years I think the fans would love it. I know I would.
  20. Buckwheat
    20. Posted by Buckwheat Mon Oct 19, 2009 1:13 pm EDT

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    There's probably a groundswell of support in Norteastern Ohio for Cleveland to bring bac Dudley as manager. Probably be as smart a move as keeping Eric Wedge as long as they did, retain Travis (Steropid Pronk) Hafner, trading Sabathia, Cliff Lee, etc.....
  21. str A's hooter
    21. Posted by str A's hooter Mon Oct 19, 2009 1:41 pm EDT

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    I remember Mike Hargrove was doing a good job in Seattle, a few years ago. The Mariners were on a 7 or 8 game winning streak, and he resigned because he wasn't having fun anymore. Since then, he returned to his roots in westen Kansas, and turned around a semi-pro club. His team did well at the NBC national tournament. College kids loved his coaching style, and played their hearts for him.
    Mike might have a hard time getting rehired in the Major Leagues. If he does return, can he find it fun and challenging? Cleveland won't be much fun, especially after the way the team has been gutted.
  22. str A's hooter
    22. Posted by str A's hooter Mon Oct 19, 2009 2:09 pm EDT

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    Isn't Ryan Sandberg looking for a managing job, also? He has burnt some bridges in Chicago, concerning yelling into the faces of young autograph seekers, but I don't think that will be an issue in Cleveland.
  23. MICHAEL
    23. Posted by MICHAEL Mon Oct 19, 2009 2:11 pm EDT

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    Well what do we have here? Indians fans making ridiculous statements and pining for the past... imagine that.
  24. oldcracker_51
    24. Posted by oldcracker_51 Mon Oct 19, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    It takes a really unique individual that can understand and manage hitting, defense and pitching. That's why there are coaches for him to work with. So, a good manager must have and listen to his coaches. This usually comes from being around the system a very long time. That is why the same old managers keep popping up for the few openings that arise. A good manager must also be able to deal with the owners, the GM, the press and the fans.
    THE CLEVELAND INDIANS CANNOT AFFORD ONE!!!
    The Dolan/Sh*tpiro brain trust don't want anyone that will question them or speak out. The want a "company" man, first and foremost. Then, from that group, they will go with the cheapest one. Sounds a whole lot like Lovullo...look at the wonderful job he's done in Columbus!
  25. oldcracker_51
    25. Posted by oldcracker_51 Mon Oct 19, 2009 3:00 pm EDT

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    Has anyone started a pool on Sizemore, Choo, Cabrera or LaPorta yet?
    The pool should include DoD (Date of Departure) and destination (which coastal city).

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