Mike Hargrove to Receive Lifetime Achievement Honor at Greater Cleveland Sports Awards
The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission announced in a press release on Tuesday that former-Indians manager Mike Hargrove will be honored with a lifetime achievement award at the 17th annual Greater Cleveland Sports Awards on Jan. 26, 2017.
Here is the press release in its entirety:
CLEVELAND INDIANS MIKE HARGROVE TO RECEIVE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD DURING 17THANNUAL GREATER CLEVELAND SPORTS AWARDS
Former first baseman and manager to receive honors
CLEVELAND – Cleveland Indians former first baseman and manager, Mike Hargrove will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 17th Annual Greater Cleveland Sports Awards presented by Medical Mutual and Huntington Bank. This year, Sports Awards will be hosted on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel Grand Ballroom in Downtown Cleveland. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Click here to see highlights of Mike Hargrove through the years
Hargrove is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and manager. During his 12-year playing career, he won both American League Rookie of the Year and The Sporting News Rookie of the Year awards in 1974. Additionally, Hargrove made the American League All-Star team in 1975 during his stint with the Texas Rangers.
On June 14, 1979, Mike Hargrove made hisCleveland Indians debut as a first baseman and went on to be honored as one of the Cleveland Indians’ top 100 players in team history after retiring with a .290 career batting average. After a combined 21 years with the franchise, Hargrove still has close ties to the organization.
“Being recognized for your life's work is extraordinary,” said Mike Hargrove, Lifetime Achievement recipient. “But when that recognition comes from the people that know you best, it is extremely humbling.”
Following his playing career, Hargrove served as manager for the Indians, Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners, holding a career major league managerial record of 1,188-1,176, including 721-591 with the Indians during the years of 1991-1999. The Indians secured five consecutive American League Central titles in 1995-1999, and World Series appearances in 1995 and 1997 under Hargrove’s leadership. He is ranked second on the club’s all-time managerial wins list.
“Mike was traded to the Indians in June of 1979. He and Sharon [his wife] have made Cleveland their home ever since,” said Cleveland Indians Sr. VP of Public AffairsBob DiBiasio. “He spent 21 years in a Cleveland Indians uniform as a player, coach, and two-time American League pennant-winning manager. For nearly 40 years Grover has made a major impact on our city both on and off the ball diamond.”
Off the field, Hargrove has been a major asset to the Cleveland community. Having provided volunteer work to local non-profits such as Our Lady of the Wayside, Hargrove has made it his mission to give back to the local community that embraced him as a player and manager. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Sharon, with whom he has five children and eleven grandchildren.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to a person who, through their personal career dedication and achievements has advanced sports in Cleveland.
The Greater Cleveland Sports Awards is an annual fundraiser that supports Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and celebrates Cleveland professional, amateur, collegiate and high school sports achievements. The event features appearances from current and former athletes along with a sit down dinner and formal awards
Tickets and tables for Sports Awards are available for purchase atclevelandsportsawards.com.
Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award consist of:
2002 – Jim Brown, former running back, Cleveland Browns
2003 – Mark H. McCormack, Founder, International Management Group (IMG)
2004 – Bob Feller, former pitcher, Cleveland Indians
2005 – Richard Jacobs, former owner, Cleveland Indians
2006 – Herb Score, former pitcher & announcer, Cleveland Indians
2007 – Joe Tait, former broadcaster, Cleveland Cavaliers
2008 – Chuck Kyle, Head Football Coach, St. Ignatius High School
2009 – Bob Kain, former CEO, IMG
2010 – Dr. John A. Bergfeld. M.D., Senior Orthopedic Surgeon & team physician, Cleveland Clinic
2011 – Reggie Rucker, former wide receiver, Cleveland Browns
2012 – Austin Carr, former guard & current broadcaster, Cleveland Cavaliers
2013 – Bernie Kosar, former quarterback, Cleveland Browns
2014 – Tom Hamilton, sportscaster & announcer, Cleveland Indians
2015 – Jim Donovan, radio & TV personality, WKYC & Cleveland Browns
2016 – Mike Hargrove, former first baseman & manager, Cleveland Indians
To learn more about Greater Cleveland Sports Commission or to keep up-to-date on new developments and activities follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Please use #CLESportsAwards when posting about this event.
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About Greater Cleveland Sports Commission: Since 2000, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission (GCSC) is responsible for attracting nearly 170 sporting events which have contributed over $450 million in economic activity to Northeast Ohio. The GCSC supports the local economy, utilizes sports as a vehicle to forward community agendas and maintains a goal of producing events that are more successful when held in Cleveland than in other cities. For more information, visit clevelandsports.org.
