Take a look at these four stats for the Seattle Mariners:
1. Record: 44-33
2. Four games out of first in the AL West.
3. One game behind the Tigers (46-33) in the wild card.
4. A seven game winning streak...the longest in the majors.
All in all, not the stats one would expect of a team who's manager just resigned. Nonetheless, that is exactly what happened to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, when Mike Hargrove resigned. Conventional wisdom says you simply do not resign when your team is on a hot streak, especially one that has them in the thick of a playoff hunt. Even stranger are the reasons that Hargrove cited for his resignation: "a fading passion for the game." Now, I could understand if this was the end of the season, and Hargrove resigned due to a "fading passion." But so close to the All-Star break? The middle of the season? The whole situation just doesn't add up. This was his first winning season since he managed the Indians back in 1999 (who he also led to two World Series in '95 and '97). If the Mariners tank again from here, they can probably thank Hargrove. Old Grover has left the Mariners high and dry, with John McLaren, a bench coach, replacing him. I understand a guy wanting to go out on top, but isn't this a bit early, Mike?
