On Sunday, Seattle Mariners manager Mike Hargrove should have been enjoying his teams eight-game winning streak as well as its second place position in the AL West. The chances of the Mariners making the playoffs are very high as the team approaches the mid-season All-Star break. The Mariners only trail the Los Angeles Angels by four-games in the standings and with one of the best records in the league, are in excellent shape for a wild-card berth. But instead of handing in his lineup card for the Mariners home game with Toronto, he hands in his resignation, an action that has left everyone from players and pundits to fans scratching their heads.
"I don't expect people to understand it, I really don't, because at times I don't understand it myself," said Hargrove, who began his MLB career with the Texas Rangers as a player in 1974.
Upon his sudden resignation, Hargrove holds a career major league managerial of 1,187-1,173 including 721-591 with the Cleveland Indians from 1991-1999. He led Cleveland to five consecutive ALCentral Division titles from 1995-99, and World Series appearances in 1995 and 1997. Later, he managed Baltimore from 2000-03.
Hargrove was hired to manage the Mariners on October 20, 2004 after the teams worst season since 1983. Hargroves record in Seattle is 147-177.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Hargrove is the first manager to resign amidst a winning streak of more than seven games since 1900.
There has been some speculation that star outfielder Ichiro Suzuki could have been a factor in Hargrove's departure. Upon Hargrove's arrival as manager, it became public knowledge a rift had developed between the two. Suzuki, who will become a free agent following this season could have made it known to ownership that he didn't want to stay in Seattle as long as Hargrove was the manager.
Mariners bench coach John McLaren , who last managed at Knoxville in the Southern League in 1985 will take over as manager Monday night.
"This is not a perfect scenario to take over a ballclub," said McLaren. "But I'll run with it."
In other managerial news, the slumping Cincinnati Reds announced the firing of their manager Jerry Narron following the teams 11-7 loss to the St Louis Cardinals Sunday night.
The lack of quality pitching is the ultimate blame for Narrons downfall.
Advance scout Pete Mackanin, who managed the Reds' Triple-A team in Nashville from 1990-92, was chosen interim manager. He was the Pirates' interim manager for the final 26 games of the 2005 season after Lloyd McClendon was fired.
