Expert: Gina McDonough - 8/2/2001

Question
Was Eddie Murray our regular 1st baseman  throughout the 1995 season and into the playoffs?  If not, could you please tell who was.  Also, was Julio Franco an Indian at this time or was he already in Toronto?

Thanks,
Tom

Answer
Hello Tom,

No, Eddie Murray was not the regular first baseman during the 1995 season.  1B belonged to Paul Sorrento, and Eddie Murray was primarily the DH.  Of course, Eddie did play 1B on occasion, but it was mostly played by Paul.

Also, in 1995, Julio Franco was in Japan playing for Chiba Lotte, where he hit .306 with 25 doubles, three triples, 10 homers and 58 RBIs.  He won the Japanese equivalent of the Gold Glove Award. Although he signed a two-year contract with Chiba Lotte, Franco exercised an escape clause written into his contract that allowed him to leave after one year. He then signed with the Cleveland Indians as a free agent on Dec. 7, 1995.

You can find the entire 1995 roster by following this link:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1995.shtml

Hope I have been helpful!

Regards,
Gina McDonough
AllExperts Cleveland Indians Expert