1995 Cleveland Indians: The Sleeping Giant Awakes

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