Fansided

MLB power rankings: Top 30 nicknames of all-time

By John Buhler

Aug 14, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) smiles after a single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) smiles after a single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 19, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Former Cleveland Indians manager Mike Hargrove waves to the crowd during a pre-game celebration for the 1995 Indians team before the game between the Cleveland Indians and the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Former Cleveland Indians manager Mike Hargrove waves to the crowd during a pre-game celebration for the 1995 Indians team before the game between the Cleveland Indians and the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

29. Mike Hargrove: The Human Rain Delay

Before he was a major league manager for the Cleveland Indians, the Baltimore Orioles and the Seattle Mariners, Mike Hargrove was a ball player and a quirky one at that. He spent 11 of his 12 big league seasons in the Junior Circuit, mostly with the Texas Rangers and the Indians. Hargrove even made an All-Star team once in 1974.

He may be one of the greatest Indians ever, helping guide them to two World Series as their skipper, but Hargrove is best known for his totally awesome nickname: The Human Rain Delay. How does one garner a nickname synonymous with bringing the rain to the ballpark?

Well, Hargrove was an insanely intricate routine he would do before every pitch when he was at the plate. Hargrove would adjust his helmet, make sure his batting glove was all nice and tight on his thumb, mess with his sleeves, wipe his pant legs and then get ready for the pitch maybe. Sometimes Hargrove would need to repeat the pitch-ly rituals for a second time if he got all flustered and what not.

NOBODY killed the pace of a ball game at the plate in the 1970s and 1980s quite like Hargrove. The Human Rain Delay is unforgettable to the type of buzzkill Hargrove would be in the batter’s box. Not only did it take forever, but he would throw the pitcher out of his rhythm. Maybe that was the whole point of the rain dance?

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