Hargrove Boils Over

Mariner manager Mike Hargrove said something so unexpectedly candid after yesterday's 14-5 win over Texas that the Times plastered it on the top of this morning's sports section.

Evidently some poor writer made the mistake of asking whether the win could be a "turning point."

"I'm so sick of hearing about turning points, I'm about ready to puke. Let's all wait to the end of the season and see what our turning point is."

Usually managers lash out after losses, not wins, but that shows you how much pressure's on Hargrove right now.

The classic managerial outburst? Tommy Lasorda in 1976. After the Cubs' Dave Kingman hit three home runs to beat the Dodgers, some poor writer offered this query:

" What was your opinion of Kingman's performance?"

Lasorda didn't miss a beat.

A: What's my opinion of Kingman's performance!? What the fuck do you think is my opinion of it? I think it was FUCKING HORSESHIT. Put that in, I don't fucking care. Opinion of his performance!!? Jesus Christ, he beat us with three fucking home runs! What the fuck do you mean, 'What is my opinion of his performance?' How could you ask me a question like that, 'What is my opinion of his performance?' Shit, he hit three home runs! Fuck. I'm fucking pissed off to lose the fucking game. And you ask me my opinion of his performance! Shit. That's a tough question to ask me, isn't it? 'What is my opinion of his performance?

There's a full transcript and audio file of Lasorda's tirade here.