Saturday Spotlight: Mike Hargrove

Mike "Human Rain Delay" Hargrove played first base for the Cleveland Indians from 1979-1985. He managed the Indians from 1991-1999. Hargrove was born October 26, 1949 in Perryton, Texas. He went to Northwestern Oklahoma State University and was a 25th round draft pick in 1972 by the Texas Rangers. He made his MLB on April 7, 1974 with the Rangers. He spent 5 years with the Rangers. In his times with the Rangers he batted .295, a slugging percentage of .409, OBP .399, 380 runs, 730 hits, with 47 home runs, and 395 RBIs. He was Rookie of the Year in 1974 and was an All Star in 1975. He was traded to the San Diego Padres in 1978. He spent on year there and traded to the Indians in 1979. In Cleveland he had 388 runs, 860 hits, 33 home runs, 383 RBIs, batted .292, OBP of .396, and slugging percentage of .382. Life time Hargrove had a batting average of .290, OBP .396, slugging percentage .391, 783 runs, 1614 hits, 80 home runs, and 686 RBIs. Hargrove was given the nickname "Human Rain Delay" for his crazy ritual at the plate. He would first adjust his helmet, second adjust batting glove, third pull each sleeve of his jersey up an inch, and fourth wiping each hand on his uniform pants. He would do this ever time he stepped out of the batters box, sometimes more than once. After he stopped playing baseball he turned to managing. he managed the Indians from 1991-1999. He lead the Indians to five connective AL Central Division championships from 1995-1999 as well as two world series appearances in 1995 and 1997. After the Indians he went to manage the Baltimore Orioles (2000-2003) and Seattle Mariners (2005-2007). Today he is employed as an adviser with the Cleveland Indians.

Indians Off Season Transactions Update November-January

If you have not been keeping up with all the Indians off season transactions here is what you have missed. 

November

2nd- SS Mike Aviles roster status changed. 

20th- Indians released RHP C. C. Lee

December

3rd- LHP Nick Hagadone elected free agency.
17th- Indians signed free agent CF Rajai Davis form Detroit
18th- Mike Aviles signed a one year contract with the Detroit Tigers
21st- Indians released 3B Chris Johnson
23rd- Chicago White Sox claimed Jerry Sands off waivers

January

5th- Indians signed free agent 1B Mike Napoli from Texas Rangers

Contract Update January 26, 2016

Pitcher Josh Tomlin signed a two year contract with team option in 2018. $5.5 million
Closer Cody Allen, no arbitration, signed one year deal. $4.15 million
Out fielder Lonnie Chisenhall, one year deal. $2.725 million
Pitcher Jeff Manship, one year deal. $765,000
Pitcher Bryan Shaw, one year deal. $2.75 million
Pitcher Zach McAllister, one year deal. $1.3 million

Scott Atchison has been hired as a Major League advance coach and staff assistant. 

Saturday Spotlight: Jason Kipnis

Jason Kipnis plays second base for the Cleveland Indians. He was a 2nd round pick in 2009 and signed with the Indians on June 9, 2009. He spent three years in the minors until his debut on July 22, 2011. Since then he has a batting average of .272, 640 hits, 53 home runs, 272 RBIs, and 100 stolen bases. In his second full season as an Indian he made his first All-Star team. He had one at-bat and hit a double and picked up a RBI. The American League went on to win that game 3-0. He struggled a bit in 2014 due to injury but bounced back in 2015. Kipnis had a stellar 2015 finishing the season with a .303 batting average, 171 hits, 43 doubles, 52 RBIs, and an on base percentage (OBP) of .372. He also made his second All-Star team. He had one at bat and was unsuccessful and ended up striking out, but the AL still ended up winning 6-3. This season he finished second in the AL in doubles, fifth in AL second basemen in fielding percentage, and was seventh in the AL in batting average. He was AL player of the month for the month of May after having 51 hits and 30+ doubles that month alone. His projections for the 2016 season have him batting .275, 140 hits, 11 home runs, 32 doubles, 54 RBIs, and an OBP of .347. Kipnis is currently signed to a 6 year, $52.5 million contract trough 2019, and will become a free agent in 2020.

Saturday Spotlight

I am going to be starting series of blog posts called Saturday Spotlight. Every other Saturday I will post a spotlight on someone current or former who played for the Indians. My first one will be posted tomorrow! My first Saturday Spotlight is......Jason Kipnis!!!

Welcome To My Blog

Hi, my name is Mackenzie and I am a huge Cleveland Indians fan. I decided to create a blog to talk about my favorite thing. I hope to highlight different players, former and current, as well as keep you up to date on things happening in the Indians baseball world. This is not in relation to the Cleveland Indians organization. This just one girl, a computer, and a dream to be a sports journalist. I apologize for the sites current state. The blog is a work in progress. Hope you enjoy!

-Mackenzie