Eddie Murray returns to Cleveland

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News

11/14/2001 4:04 pm ET

Murray returns to Cleveland
Replaces Jones as hitting coach
By Bronson Wagner
MLB.com

The Cleveland Indians have announced that they have named Eddie Murray to the Major League coaching staff as Hitting Coach. Murray, who was previously the first base coach with the Baltimore Orioles, replaces Clarence Jones.

Murray, 45, returns to the Indians organization after spending two and a half seasons in Cleveland from 1994-96. Eddie was instrumental in bringing Cleveland its first American League pennant in 41 years, hitting .323 (141-436) in 1995 with 21 doubles, 21 HR & 82 RBI in 113 games while collecting his 3000th career hit on June 30, 1995 at Minnesota. Over his two and a half seasons in Cleveland he hit a combined .281 (339-1205) with 50 homers and 203 RBI in 309 games.

Murray compiled a career average of .287 (3255-11336) with 560 doubles, 504 homers and 1917 RBI over 3026 games in 21 seasons from 1977-97. He is the all-time career leader among switch-hitters in RBI with 1917, which rank 7th on the career all-time list, and is one of just three players (Hank Aaron, Willie Mays) to collect 500 HR and 3000 base hits in a career. The 1977 AL Rookie of the Year is also the career leader in games played at first base (2413), was an 8-time All-Star and is one of just 17 members of the 500 home run club. He also ranks 12th on the all-time career hits list at 3255 and is tied for 5th in career games played (3026).

Murray has spent the last four seasons on the Major League coaching staff of the Baltimore Orioles - the last two as First Base Coach. Murray spent 1998 and 1999 as the Orioles Bench Coach and managed in the Arizona Fall League after the 1999 season.

"Eddie Murray is one of the most respected and professional individuals in Major League Baseball," said Cleveland Indians Executive Vice President General Manager Mark Shapiro. "The contributions he made as a player to the game of baseball and specifically to the Indians organization were immense - it is an honor to bring him back to Cleveland to serve on Charlie Manuel's staff."