The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
CAPTAINS GRAND SLAM 5K
9 a.m., July 1 Classic Park
Former Indians manager Mike Hargrove will help pass out medals after the race and sign autographs . ... Each runner gets a finisher medal, Captains game ticket, a race T-shirt, and a post-race beer and hamburger or hot dog. “We’re excited to have Mike this year.”
In 2016, the first year the event was called the Captains Grand Slam 5K, more than 1,000 registered. The temperature that day was in the 70s.
The forecast on July 1 calls for partly sunny skies and temperatures nearing 90 degrees.
The layout of the course is unique, and should be a thrill for baseball fans. Participants line up inside Classic Park on the firstbase line, run out of the park, to East 355th Street before settling on Curtis Boulevard then onto Lakeland Boulevard.
The wrap-around is at E. 337th Street, with the stretch back to Curtis. The finish line is in the Classic parking lot area facing SOM Center Road.
Hargrove managed the Indians from 1991 to 1999, and helped the team to the 1995 and 1997 World Series. From 1995 to 1999, the Tribe averaged 94 wins and won five division titles.
Hargrove’s status as a fan favorite began when he was a player in Cleveland. He began his playing career with the Rangers in 1974, and won the American League Rookie of the Year award that season. He finished his playing career with the Indians from 1979 to 1985. His best season with the Indians was in 1980, when he hit .304 with 11 home runs, 85 RBI and 111 walks.
His most notable claim to fame during his playing days was the nickname “The Human Rain Delay” for his ritual before stepping into the batter’s box. It included adjusting his batting gloves, pulling up his pants, knocking dirt off his cleats, adjusting his batting helmet and more.