1979 Topps Mike Hargrove

The Human Rain Delay only lasted in the perfect weather of San Diego for 52 games of the 1979 season. Mike Hargrove batted nearly 100 points below his career batting average of .290. He was traded in June to Cleveland for outfielder Paul Dade. In Cleveland he returned to his old form. He ended his playing career in as an Indian in 1985 and in 1991 began his managerial career in an Indians uniform. 

1975 Topps 1974 Rookies of the Year

The 8 players receiving Rookie of the Year votes in 1974 all went onto productive Major league careers. Unfortunately, only 3 of the 8 appeared on Topps cards in 1974. Bake McBride and Bill Madlock appeared on multi-player rookie cards. Bucky Dent was the only one to have his own Topps card in 1974.

Mike Hargrove got 67% of the Rookie of the year voting in 1974. He beat out 1978 World Series MVP Bucky Dent and Future Hall of Famer George Brett. He also beat out infielder Rick Burlson and catcher Jim Sundberg. Both of whom are Gold Glove winning All Stars.

In the National League, Bake McBride also got 67% of the vote. He beat out Greg Gross, and Bill Madlock. Bross played 17 years with an overall batting average of .287. Madlock was a 3 time All Star and the co-MVP of the 1975 All Star game.

One other thing these ROY award winners had in common was their unique batting rituals. McBride was known to dig in at the plate literally. He would kick the dirt around obscuring the chalk lines. Hargrove was known as "The Human Rain Delay". Before each pitch he would adjust his batting gloves, adjust his jersey, both at the shoulders and the sleeves, adjust his pants, adjust his helmet, dig in with his left foot then plant his step in with his right foot. 

1974 Topps Mike Hargrove

Mike Hargrove was a key part of the resurgent Texas Rangers in 1974. Under manager Billy Martin the Rangers went from last place in the AL West to 2nd place, behind only the World Series Champion Oakland A's. 

One of Hargrove's more memorable moments of his rookie season came on dime beer night in Cleveland. He was pelted by various debris from the unruly crowd including a near miss by a half-full jug of Thunderbird. In the 9th inning a fan charged 1974 AL MVP Jeff Burroughs and knocked his cap off. When Billy Martin lost sight of his outfielder, he grabbed a fungo bat and led his team to Burrough's defence. More fans piled onto the field and the Indians, also wielding bats, came onto the field as the riot escalated. During the ensuing melee, Hargrove was hit from behind by an Indians "fan" then administered a beating on said fan. 

The game was eventually forfeited. The Indians magnanimously decided that all future dime beer nights be restricted to a limit of 4 beers each. The league went one better, suspending all promotions until further review.