Mike Hargrove’s Horrible Decision Part 1

In game 7 of the 1997 World Series which was an even more devastating loss for Cleveland than the game 7 loss days ago, Mike Hargrove made one of the worst managerial decisions ever in a truly big game.

Managing the Cleveland team, which had been forced into extra innings, dissipating a (2-0) 7th inning lead and most significantly a (2-1) lead in the bottom of the ninth, Hargrove got the free pass/leadoff walk as Jay Powell walked Matt Williams.

I need not tell you the value nor detriment, depending if your team is at bat or in the field, of a leadoff walk.

What Hargrove did next was inexcusable. I will detail it in my next post.