Mike Hargrove to step down as Mariners manager (1 Viewer)

[Doctor Detroit]

Just reported on Fox Sports Radio. Strange considering how well the Mariners are playing.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

UPDATE: They are saying major family issues as the reason. Hope everything goes well for him.

 

[Don Quixote]

Press conference at 2:30ET.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

link

Mariners manager Hargrove is resigning

By Larry Stone

Seattle Times staff reporter

In a stunning development, Mariners manager Mike Hargrove is resigning, the Seattle Times has learned.

The Mariners have called a major press conference at Safeco Field for 11:30 this morning.

The Mariners clubhouse closed at 11 a.m. for a team meeting, and the team issued a release announcing Hargrove would resign at the end of Sunday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

"Over the past several weeks, I have come to the realization that to be fair to myself and the team, I can not continue to do this job if my passion has begun to fade," Hargrove said, according to the release.

Bench coach John McLaren will replace Hargrove as manager beginning Monday. McLaren's promotion was announced by general manager Bill Bavasi.

Bavasi hired Hargrove before the 2005 season to replace the fired Bob Melvin.

The Mariners went 69-93 in Hargrove's first season as Mariners manager, 78-84 last season and are currently 44-33. The Mariners are 11 games over .500, the high-water mark of Hargrove's term as manager. Their seven-game winning streak is also their longest under Hargrove.

"We are in much better shape today than we were when Mike came to town," Bavasi said. "I would like to thank Mike for his edfforts. We're disappointed that he has decided to step down, but we respect his decision."

The Mariners have moved into contention in both the AL West race, where they trail the Angels by four games, and in the wild-card race, where they are one game behind Detroit.

 

[wadegarrett]

Very strange. Grover's always been a decent guy.

 

[Greco]

Only thing worse than a loser is a quitter. Can't believe this guy walked out on his team.

 

[Sammy3469]

Maybe they'll bring Adam Jones up now.

 

[wilked]

Only thing worse than a loser is a quitter. Can't believe this guy walked out on his team.