1995 Cleveland Indians: The Sleeping Giant Awakes (The SABR Baseball Library)

After almost 40 years of sub-500 baseball, the Sleeping Giant woke in 1995, the first season in the Indians spent in their new home of Jacob's Field.

The Indians ruled Cleveland from 1994 through 2001, winning two pennants and making five playoff appearances. In 1995, the Cleveland Browns had left town and were putting down roots in Baltimore. The Cleveland Cavaliers, while competitive, were usually ousted in the first round of the NBA playoffs. The Indians were the best ticket in town, and 455 consecutive sellouts—from June 12, 1995 through April 2, 2001—are a testament to ther popularity.

While the Indians made it to the brink of baseball nirvana in both 1997 and 2016, losing in Game Seven of both those World Series, it is the 1995 team that fans remember the most fondly. Perhaps this is because they were the first to break through since 1954 and make the postseason. Maybe it’s because of the different characters and personalities who made up that team, which included Jim Thome, Bill Ripken, Manny Ramirez, Dave Winfield, Orel Hershiser, and Sandy Alomar Jr.. They had an All-Star seemingly at every position.

As you leaf through the pages of this book, presented here by 40 SABR authors and editors, you will be transported back in time to 1995. The biographies of all the players, coaches, and broadcasters will evoke that glorious era once again for Tribe fans. The volume is also sprinkled with personal perspectives, as well as game stores from key matchups during the 1995 season, information about Jacob’s Field, and other writing of interest on the historic season.

Contents
Introduction, Joseph Wancho
The Fans of the 1995 Cleveland Indians, John McMurray
Players
Sandy Alomar Jr., Joseph Wancho
Ruben Amaro, Rory Costello
Paul Assenmacher, Nick Waddell
Carlos Baerga, Joseph Wancho
David Bell, Philip A. Cola
Albert Belle, Tom Wancho
Bud Black, Nick Waddell
Jeromy Burnitz, Kelly Boyer Sagert
Mark Clark, Bob LeMoine
Dennis Cook, Alan Cohen
Alan Embree, Bill Nowlin
Alvaro Espinoza, Gregg Omoth
John Farrell, Bill Nowlin
Brian Giles, Mark Hodermarsky
Jason Grimsley, Chip Greene
Orel Hershiser, Joseph Wancho
Ken Hill, Gregory H. Wolf
Wayne Kirby, Ed Gruver
Jesse Levis ,Chip Greene
Kenny Lofton, Richard Bogovich
Albie Lopez, Harry Schoger
Dennis Martinez, Rory Costello
Jose Mesa, Joseph Wancho
Eddie Murray, Alan Cohen
Charles Nagy, Steve West
Chad Ogea, David Skelton
Gregg Olson, Wynn Montgomery
Tony Pena, Blake Sherry
Herbert Perry, Jay Hurd
Eric Plunk, Ted Leavengood
Jim Poole, Chip Greene
Manny Ramirez, Bill Nowlin
Billy Ripken, Jimmy Keenan
Joe Roa, Clayton Trutor
Paul Shuey, Charles Faber
Paul Sorrento, Alan Cohen
Julian Tavarez, Paul Hofmann
Jim Thome, Joseph Wancho
Eddie Tucker, Richard Cuicchi
Omar Vizquel, Augusto Cardenas
Dave Winfield, Doug Skipper

The Coaching Staff
Mike Hargrove, Gregory H. Wolf
Buddy Bell, Joseph Wancho
Luis Isaac, Richard Bogovich
Charlie Manuel, Andy Sturgill
Dave Nelson, Rick Schabowski
Jeff Newman, Gary Livacari
Mark Wiley, Joel Rippel

Broadcasters
Jack Corrigan, Joseph Wancho
Tom Hamilton, Kelly Boyer Sagert
Mike Hegan, Joseph Wancho
Rick Manning, Kelly Boyer Sagert
Herb Score, Joseph Wancho

Front Office
Dick Jacobs, Clayton Trutor
John Hart, Rick Balazs
Dan O’Dowd, Christopher Williamson

Ballpark
Jacobs Field, Stephanie Liscio

Games
May 7, 1995 Richard Cuicchi
June 4, 1995 Joseph Wancho
June 5, 1995 Gregory H. Wolf
June 30, 1995 Joseph Wancho
July 21, 1995 Richard Cuicchi
September 8, 1995 Joseph Wancho
September 13, 1995 Gregory H. Wolf