
15. āThe Human Rain Delayā Mike Hargrove
When MikeĀ Hargrove entered the MLB in 1974, it marked the beginning of a 27-year career in professional baseball.
Hargroveās greatest MLB accomplishments came as a manager, when he led the Cleveland Indians to five consecutive American League Central Division Championships and two World Series appearances from 1995 to 1999. His one-of-a-kind nickname would be earned during his playing career, however.
Hargrove earned the nickname āThe Human Rain Delayā as a reference to his notoriety for driving pitchers insane at the plate. Not with his hitting prowess, but with an absurdlyĀ long batterās box routine.
Per Business Insider:
"Before every pitch,Ā Hargrove would step out of the batterās box following each pitch and: adjust his helmet; adjust his batting gloves making sure they fit exactly right especially around the thumbs; pull each sleeve up about an inch; wipe each hand on his uniform pants; reach back to adjust his rear pockets; knock the dirt from his cleats ā both feet ā with the bat; flex his shoulders; adjust the gloves again; rub his nose; adjust the rubber ring to protect his thumb; and thenĀ repeat the entire sequence."
HargroveĀ picked up Rookie of the Year honors in his first yearĀ in the league, and would make the All-Star Game the following season. But his legendary nickname and managerial success with the Indians is what he is best known for.
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