Liberal, Kans. (KSN) -- Mike Hargrove says it’s not a deep or spiritual thing, but coming “home” to Liberal has helped him rediscover his passion for baseball.  Hargrove is managing the Jayhawk League’s Liberal Bee Jays this summer.

It was one year ago – July 1, 2007 – that Mike Hargrove abruptly resigned as manager of the Seattle Mariners, saying that he could no longer “give the 100% commitment to the players” that he asked of them.  The move was especially shocking with the Mariners on a seven-game winning streak, which became eight as Hargrove managed a final game.

After leaving Seattle, Hargrove and his wife traveled, with Liberal as one of their destinations.  Hargrove played for the Bee Jays in 1972 and had maintained a close relationship with general manager Bob Carlile, who helped put together “Mike Hargrove Day” last July.  While Hargrove signed autographs, Carlile asked him if he would like to come back to Liberal the next summer and manage the Bee Jays.

Much to Carlile’s surprise, Hargrove said “yes.”

Hargrove, 58, is from Perryton, Texas, which is less than an hour’s drive from Liberal.  His father still lives in Perryton.

Less than a month into the Bee Jays’ season, Hargrove says it already has confirmed that his passion for the game was not gone, but was “had been covered.”  He expects to spend only this summer in Liberal and hopes to manage again in the major leagues, although he says it would have to be for a strong organization with a legitimate chance to win a World Series.

Hargrove won 1188 games in 16 seasons as a major league manager.  He guided Cleveland to five consecutive division titles and the 1995 and 1997 World Series.  He started his 12-season major league playing career by winning the American League’s Rookie of the Year award in 1974.

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