1996 Cleveland Indians season

{{Infobox baseball team season

| name = Cleveland Indians

| season = 1996

| misc = American League Central Champions

| league = American League

| division = Central

| record = 99–62 ({{winpct|99|62}})

| divisional_place = 1st

| ballpark = Jacobs Field

| city = Cleveland, Ohio

| owners =Richard Jacobs

| general_managers =John Hart

| managers = Mike Hargrove

| television = WUAB
Jack Corrigan, Mike Hegan
SportsChannel
John Sanders, Rick Manning

| radio = WKNR (1220 AM)
Herb Score, Tom Hamilton, Matt Underwood

|}}

The 1996 Cleveland Indians season was the 96th season for the franchise and the third season at Jacobs Field. For the second consecutive season, the Indians had the best record in Major League Baseball. This was the first time in franchise history that the Indians had accomplished that feat.Great Baseball Feats, Facts and Figures, 2008 Edition, p. 371, David Nemec and Scott Flatow, A Signet Book, Penguin Group, New York, {{ISBN|978-0-451-22363-0}} Between May 30 and August 19, the Indians hit at least one double in each of 75 games, the longest such streak in MLB since 1901.{{cite web|url=https://stathead.com/tiny/qetMe|title=Team Batting Streak Finder: Consecutive games with Doubles >= 1, In the Regular Season, since 1901.|website=Stathead Baseball|access-date=April 22, 2021}}

Offseason

November 9, 1995: Rubén Amaro Jr. was released by the Cleveland Indians.[https://www.baseball-reference.com/a/amaroru02.shtml Ruben Amaro Statistics] Baseball-Reference.com
December 6, 1995: Casey Candaele was signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/c/candaca01.shtml|title = Casey Candaele Stats}}
December 7, 1995: Julio Franco was signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians.[https://www.baseball-reference.com/f/francju01.shtml Julio Franco Statistics] Baseball-Reference.com
December 14, 1995: Jack McDowell signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians.[https://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mcdowja01.shtml Jack McDowell Statistics] Baseball-Reference.com
January 4, 1996: Mario Díaz was signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/diazma01.shtml|title = Mario Diaz Stats}}
March 31, 1996: Mark Clark was traded by the Cleveland Indians to the New York Mets for Reid Cornelius and Ryan Thompson.[https://www.baseball-reference.com/c/clarkma01.shtml Mark Clark Statistics] Baseball-Reference.com

Regular season

Once again, the Indians had a formidable offensive lineup. They led the Majors in hits (1,665), batting average (.293), on-base percentage (.369). They also struck out an MLB-low 844 times.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/1996.shtml|title=1996 Major League Baseball Season Summary}}

=Season standings=

= Record vs. opponents =

=Game log=

{{Game log start|style={{Baseball primary style|Cleveland Indians}}|title= 1996 Game Log: 99–62 (Home: 51–29; Away: 48–33)}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Baseball secondary style|Cleveland Indians}}|title= April: 16–8 (Home: 8–3; Away: 8–5)| #| Date| Opponent| Score| Win| Loss| Save| Attendance| Record}}

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 1 || April 2 || Yankees || 1–7 || Cone || Martinez (0–1) || — || 42,289 || 0–1

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 2 || April 3 || Yankees || 1–5 || Pettitte || McDowell (0–1) || Nelson || 41,843 || 0–2

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 3 || April 5 || Blue Jays || 1–7 || Guzman || Hershiser (0–1) || — || 41,782 || 0–3

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 4 || April 6 || Blue Jays || 5–3 || Nagy (1–0) || Hanson || Mesa (1) || 41,852 || 1–3

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 5 || April 7 || Blue Jays || 8–3 || Martinez (1–1) || Quantrill || — || 41,689 || 2–3

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 6 || April 10 || @ Orioles || 2–3 (10) || Orosco || Tavarez (0–1) || — || 45,097 || 2–4

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 7 || April 11 || @ Orioles || 4–14 || Erickson || Hershiser (0–2) || Rhodes || 43,189 || 2–5

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 8 || April 12 || @ Red Sox || 3–1 || Nagy (2–0) || Sele || Mesa (2) || 26,703 || 3–5

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 9 || April 13 || @ Red Sox || 14–2 || Martinez (2–1) || Moyer || — || 31,827 || 4–5

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 10 || April 14 || @ Red Sox || 7–6 (11) || Tavarez (1–1) || Stanton || Mesa (3) || 31,796 || 5–5

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 11 || April 15 || @ Red Sox || 8–0 || McDowell (1–1) || Wakefield || — || 32,861 || 6–5

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 12 || April 16 || @ Twins || 7–2 || Hershiser (1–2) || Radke || — || 13,103 || 7–5

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 13 || April 17 || @ Twins || 8–9 || Hansell || Shuey (0–1) || Stevens || 11,276 || 7–6

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 14 || April 19 || Red Sox || 9–4 || Martinez (3–1) || Gordon || — || 40,521 || 8–6

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 15 || April 20 || Red Sox || 2–1 || McDowell (2–1) || Wakefield || Mesa (4) || 40,498 || 9–6

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 16 || April 21 || Red Sox || 11–7 || Ogea (1–0) || Pennington || — || 42,256 || 10–6

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 17 || April 22 || Orioles || 6–3 || Nagy (3–0) || Erickson || Mesa (5) || 42,236 || 11–6

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 18 || April 23 || Orioles || 9–8 || Ogea (2–0) || Mussina || Mesa (6) || 40,770 || 12–6

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 19 || April 24 || @ Yankees || 8–10 || Kamieniecki || Martinez (3–2) || — || 20,187 || 12–7

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 20 || April 25 || @ Yankees || 4–3 || Poole (1–0) || Pettitte || Mesa (7) || 18,580 || 13–7

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 21 || April 26 || @ Blue Jays || 6–3 || Hershiser (2–2) || Hanson || Mesa (8) || 30,227 || 14–7

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 22 || April 27 || @ Blue Jays || 6–11 || Castillo || Nagy (3–1) || — || 40,140 || 14–8

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 23 || April 28 || @ Blue Jays || 17–3 || Lopez (1–0) || Viola || — || 31,143 || 15–8

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 24 || April 30 || White Sox || 5–3 || Martinez (4–2) || Tapani || Mesa (9) || 40,268 || 16–8

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Baseball secondary style|Cleveland Indians}}|title= May: 19–9 (Home: 8–2; Away: 11–7)| #| Date| Opponent| Score| Win| Loss| Save| Attendance| Record}}

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 25 || May 1 || White Sox || 9–5 || McDowell (3–1) || McCaskill || Plunk (1) || 40,447 || 17–8

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 26 || May 2 || @ Mariners || 6–4 || Hershiser (3–2) || Wolcott || Mesa (10) || 21,711 || 18–8

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 27 || May 3 || @ Mariners || 5–2 || Nagy (4–1) || Hitchcock || Mesa (11) || 38,086 || 19–8

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 28 || May 4 || @ Mariners || 1–5 || Menhart || Lopez (1–1) || — || 57,133 || 19–9

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 29 || May 5 || @ Mariners || 2–0 || Martinez (5–2) || Bosio || Mesa (12) || 56,883 || 20–9

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 30 || May 6 || @ Athletics || 3–5 || Taylor || Assenmacher (0–1) || Mohler || 47,313 || 20–10

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 31 || May 7 || @ Athletics || 4–8 || Johns || Hershiser (3–3) || — || 10,126 || 20–11

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 32 || May 8 || @ Athletics || 7–3 || Nagy (5–1) || Reyes || — || 9,288 || 21–11

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 33 || May 10 || @ Angels || 8–13 || Boskie || Lopez (1–2) || — || 23,522 || 21–12

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 34 || May 11 || @ Angels || 6–5 || McDowell (4–1) || Sanderson || Mesa (13) || 32,102 || 22–12

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 35 || May 12 || @ Angels || 4–1 || Poole (2–0) || Percival || Mesa (14) || 22,768 || 23–12

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 36 || May 14 || Tigers || 5–1 || Nagy (6–1) || Gohr || — || 40,765 || 24–12

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 37 || May 15 || Tigers || 5–2 || Martinez (6–2) || Lima || Mesa (15) || 42,259 || 25–12

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 38 || May 16 || Tigers || 8–3 || McDowell (5–1) || Williams || — || 42,330 || 26–12

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 39 || May 17 || Rangers || 12–10 || Embree (1–0) || Heredia || Mesa (16) || 41,225 || 27–12

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 40 || May 18 || Rangers || 3–6 || Oliver || Anderson (0–1) || Henneman || 40,973 || 27–13

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 41 || May 19 || Rangers || 8–5 || Nagy (7–1) || Witt || Mesa (17) || 43,299 || 28–13

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 42 || May 21 || Brewers || 6–5 || Tavarez (2–1) || Boze || — || 39,974 || 29–13

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 43 || May 22 || Brewers || 8–10 || Karl || McDowell (5–2) || Fetters || 41,027 || 29–14

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 44 || May 23 || Brewers || 5–1 || Hershiser (4–3) || Miranda || — || 42,395 || 30–14

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 45 || May 24 || @ Tigers || 6–3 || Plunk (1–0) || Veres || Mesa (18) || 26,967 || 31–14

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 46 || May 25 || @ Tigers || 7–6 || Nagy (8–1) || Lewis || Mesa (19) || 41,527 || 32–14

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 47 || May 26 || @ Tigers || 5–0 || Martinez (7–2) || Williams || — || 39,056 || 33–14

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 48 || May 27 || @ Rangers || 2–3 || Pavlik || McDowell (5–3) || — || 46,521 || 33–15

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 49 || May 28 || @ Rangers || 3–11 || Oliver || Hershiser (4–4) || — || 35,727 || 33–16

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 50 || May 29 || @ Rangers || 4–5 || Cook || Tavarez (2–2) || Henneman || 35,893 || 33–17

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 51 || May 30 || @ Brewers || 2–0 || Nagy (9–1) || Bones || Mesa (20) || 11,543 || 34–17

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 52 || May 31 || @ Brewers || 10–4 || Martinez (8–2) || McDonald || — || 24,050 || 35–17

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Baseball secondary style|Cleveland Indians}}|title= June: 14–14 (Home: 8–8; Away: 6–6)| #| Date| Opponent| Score| Win| Loss| Save| Attendance| Record}}

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 53 || June 1 || @ Brewers || 1–2 || Garcia || McDowell (5–4) || Fetters || 22,004 || 35–18

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 54 || June 2 || @ Brewers || 11–6 || Poole (3–0) || Karl || — || 21,150 || 36–18

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 55 || June 4 || Mariners || 7–10 || Carmona || Mesa (0–1) || Charlton || 42,179 || 36–19

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 56 || June 5 || Mariners || 13–5 || Plunk (2–0) || Milacki || — || 42,274 || 37–19

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 57 || June 6 || Mariners || 2–5 || Wells || Martinez (8–3) || Charlton || 42,236 || 37–20

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 58 || June 7 || Angels || 4–3 || McDowell (6–4) || Boskie || Mesa (21) || 42,260 || 38–20

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 59 || June 8 || Angels || 5–0 || Hershiser (5–4) || Finley || — || 42,267 || 39–20

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 60 || June 9 || Angels || 6–8 (13) || Hancock || Tavarez (2–3) || — || 42,237 || 39–21

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 61 || June 10 || Athletics || 5–4 || Nagy (10–1) || Johns || Mesa (22) || 42,167 || 40–21

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 62 || June 11 || Athletics || 6–5 (13) || Ogea (3–0) || Reyes || — || 42,249 || 41–21

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 63 || June 12 || Athletics || 6–9 || Montgomery || McDowell (6–5) || Mohler || 40,673 || 41–22

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 64 || June 13 || @ Yankees || 6–2 || Hershiser (6–4) || Rogers || Shuey (1) || 30,707 || 42–22

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 65 || June 14 || @ Yankees || 3–4 || Gooden || Ogea (3–1) || Wetteland || 32,580 || 42–23

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 66 || June 15 || @ Yankees || 10–3 || Nagy (11–1) || Boehringer || — || 42,032 || 43–23

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 67 || June 16 || @ Yankees || 4–5 || Pettitte || Martinez (8–4) || Wetteland || 51,180 || 43–24

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 68 || June 18 || Red Sox || 9–7 || Swindell (1–0) || Sele || Mesa (23) || 42,209 || 44–24

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 69 || June 19 || Red Sox || 11–4 || Hershiser (7–4) || Gordon || — || 42,276 || 45–24

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 70 || June 20 || Red Sox || 5–4 || Shuey (1–1) || Stanton || — || 42,306 || 46–24

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 71 || June 21 || Yankees || 7–8 (10) || Nelson || Mesa (0–2) || Wetteland || 42,176 || 46–25

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 72 || June 21 || Yankees || 3–9 || Mendoza || Tavarez (2–4) || — || 42,454 || 46–26

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 73 || June 22 || Yankees || 9–11 || Brewer || Martinez (8–5) || Wetteland || 42,461 || 46–27

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 74 || June 23 || Yankees || 5–6 || Gooden || McDowell (6–6) || Wetteland || 41,767 || 46–28

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 75 || June 25 || @ Red Sox || 4–0 || Hershiser (8–4) || Gordon || — || 33,576 || 47–28

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 76 || June 26 || @ Red Sox || 4–6 (15) || Garces || Embree (1–1) || — || 33,727 || 47–29

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 77 || June 27 || @ White Sox || 10–15 || Fernandez || Swindell (1–1) || — || 27,782 || 47–30

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 78 || June 28 || @ White Sox || 2–4 || Baldwin || Tavarez (2–5) || Hernandez || 33,136 || 47–31

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 79 || June 29 || @ White Sox || 3–2 (10) || Shuey (2–1) || Karchner || — || 43,601 || 48–31

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 80 || June 30 || @ White Sox || 4–2 || Hershiser (9–4) || Tapani || Mesa (24) || 30,351 || 49–31

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Baseball secondary style|Cleveland Indians}}|title= July: 16–11 (Home: 7–6; Away: 9–5)| #| Date| Opponent| Score| Win| Loss| Save| Attendance| Record}}

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 81 || July 1 || Royals || 2–4 || Haney || Nagy (11–2) || — || 40,814 || 49–32

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 82 || July 2 || Royals || 3–2 || Poole (4–0) || Belcher || — || 42,283 || 50–32

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 83 || July 3 || Royals || 6–4 || Tavarez (3–5) || Magnante || Shuey (2) || 42,470 || 51–32

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 84 || July 4 || White Sox || 5–6 (10) || Karchner || Mesa (0–3) || Hernandez || 42,355 || 51–33

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 85 || July 5 || White Sox || 0–7 || Alvarez || Hershiser (9–5) || — || 42,536 || 51–34

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 86 || July 6 || White Sox || 2–3 || Karchner || Shuey (2–2) || Hernandez || 42,454 || 51–35

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 87 || July 7 || White Sox || 6–1 || Ogea (4–1) || Fernandez || Assenmacher (1) || 42,343 || 52–35

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 88 || July 11 || @ Twins || 11–7 || McDowell (7–6) || Radke || — || 16,438 || 53–35

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 89 || July 12 || @ Twins || 7–5 || Mesa (1–3) || Stevens || Shuey (3) || 18,246 || 54–35

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 90 || July 13 || @ Twins || 19–11 || Ogea (5–1) || Aguilera || — || 31,552 || 55–35

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 91 || July 14 || @ Twins || 4–5 || Guardado || Plunk (2–1) || — || 25,312 || 55–36

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 92 || July 15 || @ Royals || 3–6 || Magnante || Tavarez (3–6) || Montgomery || 22,294 || 55–37

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 93 || July 16 || @ Royals || 10–4 || McDowell (8–6) || Haney || — || 16,871 || 56–37

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 94 || July 17 || @ Royals || 2–3 || Belcher || Hershiser (9–6) || Montgomery || 19,532 || 56–38

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 95 || July 18 || Twins || 5–4 || Graves (1–0) || Guardado || — || 40,934 || 57–38

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 96 || July 19 || Twins || 2–3 || Rodriguez || Nagy (11–3) || Naulty || 42,373 || 57–39

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 97 || July 20 || Twins || 6–5 (11) || Shuey (3–2) || Stevens || — || 43,433 || 58–39

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 98 || July 21 || Twins || 7–5 || McDowell (9–6) || Radke || Shuey (4) || 42,341 || 59–39

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 99 || July 22 || @ Blue Jays || 4–2 || Hershiser (10–6) || Hanson || Mesa (25) || 35,517 || 60–39

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 100 || July 23 || @ Blue Jays || 1–3 || Hentgen || Ogea (5–2) || Timlin || 35,194 || 60–40

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 101 || July 24 || @ Blue Jays || 10–0 || Martinez (9–5) || Janzen || — || 35,218 || 61–40

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 102 || July 25 || @ Orioles || 10–7 || Nagy (12–3) || Coppinger || — || 47,025 || 62–40

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 103 || July 26 || @ Orioles || 14–9 || Assenmacher (1–1) || Mussina || — || 46,751 || 63–40

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 104 || July 27 || @ Orioles || 2–14 || Wells || Hershiser (10–7) || — || 47,360 || 63–41

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 105 || July 28 || @ Orioles || 6–3 (13) || Mesa (2–3) || Stephenson || — || 46,273 || 64–41

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 106 || July 30 || Blue Jays || 1–3 || Flener || Martinez (9–6) || Timlin || 42,355 || 64–42

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 107 || July 31 || Blue Jays || 4–2 || Assenmacher (2–1) || Timlin || — || 42,301 || 65–42

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Baseball secondary style|Cleveland Indians}}|title= August: 15–13 (Home: 7–7; Away: 8–6)| #| Date| Opponent| Score| Win| Loss| Save| Attendance| Record}}

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 108 || August 1 || Blue Jays || 3–5 || Hanson || Lopez (1–3) || Timlin || 42,249 || 65–43

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 109 || August 2 || Orioles || 11–1 || Hershiser (11–7) || Erickson || — || 42,465 || 66–43

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 110 || August 3 || Orioles || 4–9 || Orosco || Ogea (5–3) || — || 42,448 || 66–44

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 111 || August 4 || Orioles || 14–2 || Anderson (1–1) || Coppinger || — || 42,349 || 67–44

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 112 || August 5 || Orioles || 10–13 || Wells || Assenmacher (2–2) || — || 40,863 || 67–45

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 113 || August 6 || @ Mariners || 4–3 || Lopez (2–3) || Wells || Mesa (26) || 31,472 || 68–45

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 114 || August 7 || @ Mariners || 5–4 || Tavarez (4–6) || Charlton || Mesa (27) || 30,431 || 69–45

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 115 || August 8 || @ Mariners || 2–1 || Ogea (6–3) || Mulholland || Mesa (28) || 36,822 || 70–45

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 116 || August 9 || @ Athletics || 10–4 || McDowell (10–6) || Telgheder || — || 20,122 || 71–45

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 117 || August 10 || @ Athletics || 1–5 || Adams || Nagy (12–4) || — || 30,238 || 71–46

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 118 || August 11 || @ Athletics || 3–9 || Wasdin || Lopez (2–4) || — || 21,914 || 71–47

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 119 || August 12 || @ Angels || 5–4 || Hershiser (12–7) || Finley || Mesa (29) || 19,499 || 72–47

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 120 || August 13 || @ Angels || 2–4 || Boskie || Ogea (6–4) || Percival || 19,569 || 72–48

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 121 || August 14 || @ Angels || 7–8 || Gohr || McDowell (10–7) || Percival || 23,887 || 72–49

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 122 || August 16 || Tigers || 3–1 (12) || Assenmacher (3–2) || Lewis || — || 42,485 || 73–49

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 123 || August 17 || Tigers || 6–3 || Hershiser (13–7) || Thompson || Mesa (30) || 42,511 || 74–49

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 124 || August 18 || Tigers || 11–3 || Ogea (7–4) || Williams || — || 42,337 || 75–49

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 125 || August 19 || Rangers || 3–10 || Pavlik || McDowell (10–8) || — || 42,393 || 75–50

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 126 || August 20 || Rangers || 10–4 || Lopez (3–4) || Witt || — || 42,370 || 76–50

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 127 || August 21 || Rangers || 8–10 (10) || Vosberg || Tavarez (4–7) || — || 42,345 || 76–51

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 128 || August 23 || Brewers || 5–6 (11) || Jones || Mesa (2–4) || Fetters || 42,405 || 76–52

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 129 || August 24 || Brewers || 3–4 (10) || Wickman || Plunk (2–2) || Fetters || 42,437 || 76–53

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 130 || August 25 || Brewers || 8–5 || Shuey (4–2) || Miranda || Mesa (31) || 42,335 || 77–53

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 131 || August 26 || @ Tigers || 2–1 || Nagy (13–4) || Lira || — || 22,349 || 78–53

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 132 || August 27 || @ Tigers || 12–2 || Lopez (4–4) || Thompson || — || 19,602 || 79–53

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 133 || August 28 || @ Tigers || 9–3 || Hershiser (14–7) || Sager || — || 21,091 || 80–53

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 134 || August 30 || @ Rangers || 3–5 || Pavlik || Ogea (7–5) || Russell || 40,383 || 80–54

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 135 || August 31 || @ Rangers || 3–6 || Oliver || McDowell (10–9) || Vosberg || 46,319 || 80–55

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style={{Baseball secondary style|Cleveland Indians}}|title= September: 19–7 (Home: 13–3; Away: 6–4)| #| Date| Opponent| Score| Win| Loss| Save| Attendance| Record}}

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 136 || September 1 || @ Rangers || 8–2 || Nagy (14–4) || Burkett || — || 46,084 || 81–55

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 137 || September 2 || @ Brewers || 6–7 || Jones || Mesa (2–5) || — || 18,015 || 81–56

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 138 || September 3 || @ Brewers || 2–8 || Karl || Hershiser (14–8) || — || 10,599 || 81–57

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 139 || September 4 || @ Brewers || 7–0 || Ogea (8–5) || D'Amico || — || 12,666 || 82–57

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 140 || September 8 || Mariners || 2–1 || Nagy (15–4) || Mulholland || — || 42,307 || 83–57

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 141 || September 8 || Mariners || 5–6 || Charlton || Mesa (2–6) || — || 42,217 || 83–58

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 142 || September 9 || Angels || 4–3 || Shuey (5–2) || Holtz || Mesa (32) || 42,208 || 84–58

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 143 || September 10 || Angels || 7–5 || Assenmacher (4–2) || Percival || — || 42,181 || 85–58

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 144 || September 11 || Angels || 2–0 || McDowell (11–9) || Finley || Mesa (33) || 42,264 || 86–58

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 145 || September 12 || Angels || 11–2 || Anderson (2–1) || Boskie || — || 42,244 || 87–58

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 146 || September 14 || Athletics || 9–2 || Nagy (16–4) || Wengert || — || — || 88–58

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 147 || September 14 || Athletics || 9–8 || Plunk (3–2) || Small || Mesa (34) || 42,233 || 89–58

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 148 || September 15 || Athletics || 9–10 (10) || Reyes || Mesa (2–7) || — || 42,226 || 89–59

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 149 || September 16 || @ White Sox || 4–3 || McDowell (12–9) || Alvarez || — || 25,392 || 90–59

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 150 || September 17 || @ White Sox || 9–4 || Anderson (3–1) || Fernandez || Plunk (2) || 18,763 || 91–59

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 151 || September 18 || @ White Sox || 4–3 || Lopez (5–4) || Baldwin || Mesa (35) || 20,289 || 92–59

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 152 || September 19 || Royals || 9–1 || Ogea (9–5) || Appier || — || 42,297 || 93–59

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 153 || September 20 || Royals || 4–6 || Bevil || Nagy (16–5) || Bluma || 42,358 || 93–60

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 154 || September 21 || Royals || 13–4 || Hershiser (15–8) || Rosado || — || 42,339 || 94–60

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 155 || September 22 || Royals || 6–5 || McDowell (13–9) || Jacome || Mesa (36) || 42,291 || 95–60

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 156 || September 23 || Twins || 7–6 || Graves (2–0) || Parra || Mesa (37) || 42,299 || 96–60

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 157 || September 24 || Twins || 7–5 || Ogea (10–5) || Rodriguez || Mesa (38) || 42,272 || 97–60

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 158 || September 25 || Twins || 6–3 || Nagy (17–5) || Robertson || — || 42,469 || 98–60

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 159 || September 27 || @ Royals || 6–11 || Rosado || Hershiser (15–9) || — || 15,939 || 98–61

|- bgcolor="ccffcc"

| 160 || September 28 || @ Royals || 5–4 || Mercker (1–0) || Scanlan || Mesa (39) || 19,820 || 99–61

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"

| 161 || September 29 || @ Royals || 1–4 || Belcher || Ogea (10–6) || Pichardo || 14,556 || 99–62

| Legend: {{color box|#cfc}} = Win {{color box|#fbb}} = Loss
Bold = Indians team member

=Detailed records=

Opponent \|\| W \|\| L \|\| WP \|\| {{abbr\|RS\|Runs scored}} \|\| {{abbr\|RA\|Runs against}}
class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center; width:35em;margin: 0.5em auto;" ! colspan="7" style="background:#03224c; color:#ffffff;"\| American League
colspan="7" style="background:#03224c; color:#ffffff;"\| AL East
Baltimore Orioles	7	5	{{winpct\|7\|5\|leading_zero=y}}	92	86
Boston Red Sox	11	1	{{winpct\|11\|1\|leading_zero=y}}	87	42
Detroit Tigers	12	0	{{winpct\|12\|0\|leading_zero=y}}	79	28
New York Yankees	3	9	{{winpct\|3\|9\|leading_zero=y}}	61	73
Toronto Blue Jays	7	5	{{winpct\|7\|5\|leading_zero=y}}	66	45
Total \|\| 40 \|\| 20 \|\| {{winpct\|40\|20\|leading_zero=y}} \|\| 385 \|\| 274
colspan="7" style="background:#03224c; color:#ffffff;"\| AL Central
Chicago White Sox	8	5	{{winpct\|8\|5\|leading_zero=y}}	63	58
Cleveland Indians	colspan=5 style="background:darkgray;"\|
Kansas City Royals	7	6	{{winpct\|7\|6\|leading_zero=y}}	70	58
Milwaukee Brewers	7	6	{{winpct\|7\|6\|leading_zero=y}}	74	58
Minnesota Twins	10	3	{{winpct\|10\|3\|leading_zero=y}}	96	70
Total \|\| 32 \|\| 20 \|\| {{winpct\|32\|20\|leading_zero=y}} \|\| 303 \|\| 244
colspan="7" style="background:#03224c; color:#ffffff;"\| AL West
California Angels	9	4	{{winpct\|9\|4\|leading_zero=y}}	71	56
Oakland Athletics	6	6	{{winpct\|6\|6\|leading_zero=y}}	72	72
Seattle Mariners	8	4	{{winpct\|8\|4\|leading_zero=y}}	54	46
Texas Rangers	4	8	{{winpct\|4\|8\|leading_zero=y}}	67	77
Total \|\| 27 \|\| 22 \|\| {{winpct\|27\|22\|leading_zero=y}} \|\| 264 \|\| 251
Season Total \|\| 99 \|\| 62 \|\| {{winpct\|99\|62\|leading_zero=y}} \|\| 952 \|\| 769

width="28%" \| Month ! width="12%" \| Games ! width="12%" \| Won ! width="12%" \| Lost ! width="12%" \| Win % ! width="12%" \| {{abbr\|RS\|Runs scored}} ! width="12%" \| {{abbr\|RA\|Runs against}}
class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center; width:38em;margin: 0.5em auto;"
April	24	16	8	{{winpct\|16\|8\|leading_zero=y}}	152	118
May	28	19	9	{{winpct\|19\|9\|leading_zero=y}}	154	126
June	28	14	14	{{winpct\|14\|14\|leading_zero=y}}	165	149
July	27	16	11	{{winpct\|16\|11\|leading_zero=y}}	152	128
August	28	15	13	{{winpct\|15\|13\|leading_zero=y}}	167	135
September	26	19	7	{{winpct\|19\|7\|leading_zero=y}}	162	113
Total \|\| 161 \|\| 99 \|\| 62 \|\| {{winpct\|99\|62\|leading_zero=y}} \|\| 952 \|\| 769

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center; width:38em; border:0;margin: 0.5em auto;"
width="28%" style="background:#fff;border:0;" \| ! width="12%" \| Games ! width="12%" \| Won ! width="12%" \| Lost ! width="12%" \| Win % ! width="12%" \| {{abbr\|RS\|Runs scored}} ! width="12%" \| {{abbr\|RA\|Runs against}}
Home \| 80 \|\| 51 \|\| 29 \|\| {{winpct\|51\|29\|leading_zero=y}} \|\| 488 \|\| 389
Away \| 81 \|\| 48 \|\| 33 \|\| {{winpct\|48\|33\|leading_zero=y}} \|\| 464 \|\| 380
Total \|\| 161 \|\| 99 \|\| 62 \|\| {{winpct\|99\|62\|leading_zero=y}} \|\| 952 \|\| 769

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center; width:38em; border:0;margin: 0.5em auto;"

width="28%" style="background:#fff;border:0;" |

! width="12%" | Games

! width="12%" | Won

! width="12%" | Lost

! width="12%" | Win %

! width="12%" | {{abbr|RS|Runs scored}}

! width="12%" | {{abbr|RA|Runs against}}

Home

| 80 || 51 || 29 || {{winpct|51|29|leading_zero=y}} || 488 || 389

Away

| 81 || 48 || 33 || {{winpct|48|33|leading_zero=y}} || 464 || 380

Total || 161 || 99 || 62 || {{winpct|99|62|leading_zero=y}} || 952 || 769

=Notable transactions=

May 14, 1996: Greg Cadaret was signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/c/cadargr01.shtml|title = Greg Cadaret Stats}}
June 15, 1996: Greg Swindell signed as a free agent with the Cleveland Indians.[https://www.baseball-reference.com/s/swindgr01.shtml Greg Swindell Statistics] Baseball-Reference.com

=Roster=

class="toccolours" style="font-size: 95%;"
colspan="10" style="background-color: #990000; color: white; text-align: center;" \| 1996 Cleveland Indians
colspan="10" style="background-color: #023456; color: #FFFFFF; text-align: center;" \| Roster
valign="top" \| Pitchers {{MLBplayer\|34\|Brian Anderson}} {{MLBplayer\|45\|Paul Assenmacher}} {{MLBplayer\|56\|Alan Embree}} {{MLBplayer\|35\|Danny Graves}} {{MLBplayer\|55\|Orel Hershiser}} {{MLBplayer\|59\|Albie Lopez}} {{MLBplayer\|32\|Dennis Martínez}} {{MLBplayer\|29\|Jack McDowell}} {{MLBplayer\|39\|Kent Mercker}} {{MLBplayer\|49\|José Mesa}} {{MLBplayer\|41\|Charles Nagy}} {{MLBplayer\|37\|Chad Ogea}} {{MLBplayer\|38\|Eric Plunk}} {{MLBplayer\|62\|Jim Poole}} {{MLBplayer\|47\|Joe Roa}} {{MLBplayer\|53\|Paul Shuey}} {{MLBplayer\|12\|Greg Swindell}} {{MLBplayer\|50\|Julián Tavárez}} \| width="25px" \| \| valign="top" \| Catchers {{MLBplayer\|15\|Sandy Alomar Jr.}} {{MLBplayer\| 2\|Einar Díaz}} {{MLBplayer\|17\|Tony Peña}} Infielders {{MLBplayer\| 9\|Carlos Baerga}} {{MLBplayer\|26\|Casey Candaele}} {{MLBplayer\| 4\|Mark Carreon}} {{MLBplayer\|10\|Álvaro Espinoza}} {{MLBplayer\|23\|Julio Franco}} {{MLBplayer\| 9\|Damian Jackson}} {{MLBplayer\|12\|Jeff Kent}} {{MLBplayer\|30\|Scott Leius}} {{MLBplayer\|33\|Eddie Murray}} {{MLBplayer\|27\|Gerónimo Peña}} {{MLBplayer\|36\|Herbert Perry}} {{MLBplayer\|20\|Kevin Seitzer}} {{MLBplayer\|25\|Jim Thome}} {{MLBplayer\|10\|José Vizcaíno}} {{MLBplayer\|13\|Omar Vizquel}} \| width="25px" \| \| valign="top" \| Outfielders {{MLBplayer\| 8\|Albert Belle}} {{MLBplayer\|20\|Jeromy Burnitz}} {{MLBplayer\|22\|Brian Giles}} {{MLBplayer\|35\|Wayne Kirby}} {{MLBplayer\| 7\|Kenny Lofton}} {{MLBplayer\|24\|Manny Ramírez}} {{MLBplayer\|46\|Ryan Thompson}} {{MLBplayer\|48\|Nigel Wilson}} \| width="25px" \| \| valign="top" \|Manager {{MLBplayer\|21\|Mike Hargrove}} Coaches {{MLBplayer\|11\|Toby Harrah (Bench)}} {{MLBplayer\| 6\|Luis Isaac (Bullpen)}} {{MLBplayer\|42\|Charlie Manuel (Hitting)}} {{MLBplayer\| 1\|Dave Nelson (First Base)}} {{MLBplayer\|29\|Jeff Newman (Third Base)}} {{MLBplayer\|28\|Mark Wiley (Pitching)}} {{MLBplayer\|43\|Dan Williams (Bullpen Catcher)}}

class="toccolours" style="font-size: 95%;"

colspan="10" style="background-color: #990000; color: white; text-align: center;" | 1996 Cleveland Indians

colspan="10" style="background-color: #023456; color: #FFFFFF; text-align: center;" | Roster

valign="top" | Pitchers

{{MLBplayer|34|Brian Anderson}}
{{MLBplayer|45|Paul Assenmacher}}
{{MLBplayer|56|Alan Embree}}
{{MLBplayer|35|Danny Graves}}
{{MLBplayer|55|Orel Hershiser}}
{{MLBplayer|59|Albie Lopez}}
{{MLBplayer|32|Dennis Martínez}}
{{MLBplayer|29|Jack McDowell}}
{{MLBplayer|39|Kent Mercker}}
{{MLBplayer|49|José Mesa}}
{{MLBplayer|41|Charles Nagy}}
{{MLBplayer|37|Chad Ogea}}
{{MLBplayer|38|Eric Plunk}}
{{MLBplayer|62|Jim Poole}}
{{MLBplayer|47|Joe Roa}}
{{MLBplayer|53|Paul Shuey}}
{{MLBplayer|12|Greg Swindell}}
{{MLBplayer|50|Julián Tavárez}}

| width="25px" |

| valign="top" | Catchers

{{MLBplayer|15|Sandy Alomar Jr.}}
{{MLBplayer| 2|Einar Díaz}}
{{MLBplayer|17|Tony Peña}}

Infielders

{{MLBplayer| 9|Carlos Baerga}}
{{MLBplayer|26|Casey Candaele}}
{{MLBplayer| 4|Mark Carreon}}
{{MLBplayer|10|Álvaro Espinoza}}
{{MLBplayer|23|Julio Franco}}
{{MLBplayer| 9|Damian Jackson}}
{{MLBplayer|12|Jeff Kent}}
{{MLBplayer|30|Scott Leius}}
{{MLBplayer|33|Eddie Murray}}
{{MLBplayer|27|Gerónimo Peña}}
{{MLBplayer|36|Herbert Perry}}
{{MLBplayer|20|Kevin Seitzer}}
{{MLBplayer|25|Jim Thome}}
{{MLBplayer|10|José Vizcaíno}}
{{MLBplayer|13|Omar Vizquel}}

| width="25px" |

| valign="top" | Outfielders

{{MLBplayer| 8|Albert Belle}}
{{MLBplayer|20|Jeromy Burnitz}}
{{MLBplayer|22|Brian Giles}}
{{MLBplayer|35|Wayne Kirby}}
{{MLBplayer| 7|Kenny Lofton}}
{{MLBplayer|24|Manny Ramírez}}
{{MLBplayer|46|Ryan Thompson}}
{{MLBplayer|48|Nigel Wilson}}

| width="25px" |

| valign="top" |Manager

{{MLBplayer|21|Mike Hargrove}}

Coaches

{{MLBplayer|11|Toby Harrah (Bench)}}
{{MLBplayer| 6|Luis Isaac (Bullpen)}}
{{MLBplayer|42|Charlie Manuel (Hitting)}}
{{MLBplayer| 1|Dave Nelson (First Base)}}
{{MLBplayer|29|Jeff Newman (Third Base)}}
{{MLBplayer|28|Mark Wiley (Pitching)}}
{{MLBplayer|43|Dan Williams (Bullpen Catcher)}}

Player stats

style="background:#fc0; border:1px solid #aaa; width:2em;"|

| = Indicates team leader

style="background:#DDFFDD; border:1px solid #aaa; width:2em;"|

| = Indicates league leader

=Batting=

== Starters by position ==

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| Pos ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="16%" \| Player ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| G ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| AB ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| H ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| Avg. ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| HR ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| RBI
class="wikitable sortable"
align="center" \| C	Sandy Alomar Jr.	127	418	110	.263	11	50
align="center" \| 1B	Julio Franco	112	432	139	style="background:#fc0;\|.322	14	76
align="center" \| 2B	Carlos Baerga	100	424	113	.267	10	55
align="center" \| SS	Omar Vizquel	151	542	161	.297	9	64
align="center" \| 3B	Jim Thome	151	505	157	.311	38	116
align="center" \| LF	Albert Belle	style="background:#fc0;\|158	style="background:#fc0;\|602	style="background:#fc0;\|187	.311	style="background:#fc0;\| 48	style="background:#DDFFDD;\|148
align="center" \| CF	Kenny Lofton	154	662	210	.317	14	67
align="center" \| RF	Manny Ramirez	152	550	170	.309	33	112
align="center" \| DH	Eddie Murray	88	336	88	.262	12	45

== Other batters ==

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="16%" \| Player ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| G ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| AB ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| H ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| Avg. ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| HR ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| RBI
class="wikitable sortable"
align="center" \| José Vizcaíno	48	179	51	.285	0	13
align="center" \| Tony Peña	67	174	34	.195	1	27
align="center" \| Mark Carreon	38	142	46	.324	2	14
align="center" \| Jeromy Burnitz	71	128	36	.281	7	26
align="center" \| Brian Giles	51	121	43	.355	5	27
align="center" \| Álvaro Espinoza	59	112	25	.223	4	11
align="center" \| Jeff Kent	39	102	27	.265	3	16
align="center" \| Kevin Seitzer	22	83	32	.386	1	16
align="center" \| Casey Candaele	24	44	11	.250	1	4
align="center" \| Scott Leius	27	43	6	.140	1	3
align="center" \| Ryan Thompson	8	22	7	.318	1	5
align="center" \| Wayne Kirby	27	16	4	.250	0	1
align="center" \| Nigel Wilson	10	12	3	.250	2	5
align="center" \| Herbert Perry	7	12	1	.083	0	0
align="center" \| Damian Jackson	5	10	3	.300	0	1
align="center" \| Gerónimo Peña	5	9	1	.111	1	2
align="center" \| Einar Díaz	4	1	0	.000	0	0

= Pitching =

== Starting pitchers ==

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="16%" \| Player ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| G ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| IP ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| W ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| L ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| ERA ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| SO
class="wikitable sortable"
align="center" \| Charles Nagy	32	style="background:#fc0;\|222.0	style="background:#fc0;\|17	5	3.41	style="background:#fc0;\| 167
align="center" \| Orel Hershiser	33	206.0	15	style="background:#fc0;\|9	4.24	125
align="center" \| Jack McDowell	30	192.0	13	style="background:#fc0;\| 9	5.11	141
align="center" \| Chad Ogea	29	146.2	10	6	4.79	101
align="center" \| Dennis Martínez	20	112.0	9	6	4.50	48
align="center" \| Brian Anderson	10	51.1	3	1	4.91	21

== Other pitchers ==

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

class="wikitable sortable"
style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="16%" \| Player ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| G ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| IP ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| W ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| L ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| ERA ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| SO
align="center" \| Albie Lopez	13	62.0	5	4	6.39	45
align="center" \| Greg Swindell	13	28.2	1	1	6.59	21

class="wikitable sortable"

style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="16%" | Player

! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" | G

! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" | IP

! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" | W

! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" | L

! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" | ERA

! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" | SO

align="center"

| Albie Lopez

62.0

6.39

align="center"

| Greg Swindell

28.2

6.59

== Relief pitchers ==

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="16%" \| Player ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| G ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| W ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| L ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| SV ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| ERA ! style="background:#023456;color:#990000;" width="9%" \| SO
class="wikitable sortable"
align="center" \| José Mesa	style="background:#fc0;\|69	2	7	style="background:#fc0;\|39	3.73	64
align="center" \| Paul Assenmacher	63	4	2	1	3.09	44
align="center" \| Eric Plunk	56	3	2	2	style="background:#fc0;\|2.43	85
align="center" \| Julián Tavárez	51	4	7	0	5.36	46
align="center" \| Paul Shuey	42	5	2	4	2.85	44
align="center" \| Jim Poole	32	4	0	0	3.04	19
align="center" \| Alan Embree	24	1	1	0	6.39	33
align="center" \| Danny Graves	15	2	0	0	4.55	22
align="center" \| Kent Mercker	10	1	0	0	3.09	7
align="center" \| Joe Roa	1	0	0	0	10.80	0

Award winners

Omar Vizquel, Hutch Award{{Cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_hut.shtml|title=Hutch Award | Baseball Almanac}}

All-Star Game

Postseason

=Game log=

{{Game log start|style=background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#023456 5px solid; border-bottom:#d81c3f 5px solid;|title= 1996 Postseason Game Log}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#FFFFFF; border-top:#023456 2px solid; border-bottom:#d81c3f 2px solid;|title=American League Division Series| #| Date| Opponent| Score| Win| Loss| Save| Stadium| Attendance| Record}}

|- bgcolor="#ffbbbb"

| 1 || October 1 || @ Orioles || 4–10 || Wells (1–0) || Nagy (0–1) || — || Oriole Park at Camden Yards || 47,644 || 0–1

|- bgcolor="#ffbbbb"

| 2 || October 2 || @ Orioles || 4–7 || Benitez (1–0) || Plunk (0–1) || Myers (1) || Oriole Park at Camden Yards || 48,970 || 0–2

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb"

| 3 || October 4 || Orioles || 9–4 || Assenmacher (1–0) || Orosco (0–1) || — || Jacobs Field || 44,250 || 1–2

|- bgcolor="#ffbbbb"

| 4 || October 5 || Orioles || 3–4 {{small|(12)}} || Benitez (2–0) || Mesa (0–1) || Myers (2) || Jacobs Field || 44,280 || 1–3

|- style="text-align:center;"

| Legend: {{Color box|#cfc|border=darkgray}} = Win {{Color box|#fbb|border=darkgray}} = Loss {{Color box|#bbb|border=darkgray}} = Postponement
Bold = Indians team member

Minor league affiliates

class="wikitable" border="1"
Classification level ! Team ! League ! Season article
AAA \| Buffalo Bisons \| International League \| 1996 Buffalo Bisons season
AA \| Canton–Akron Indians \| Eastern League \| 1996 Canton–Akron Indians season
Advanced A \| Kinston Indians \| Carolina League \|
A \| Columbus RedStixx \| South Atlantic League \|
Short Season A \| Watertown Indians \| New York–Penn League \|
Rookie \| Burlington Indians \| Appalachian League \|

class="wikitable" border="1"

Classification level

! Team

! League

! Season article

AAA

| Buffalo Bisons

| International League

| 1996 Buffalo Bisons season

| Canton–Akron Indians

| Eastern League

| 1996 Canton–Akron Indians season

| South Atlantic League

Short Season A

| Watertown Indians

| New York–Penn League

Rookie

| Burlington Indians

| Appalachian League

References

[https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1996.shtml 1996 Cleveland Indians] at Baseball Reference
[http://baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/roster.php?y=1996&t=CLE 1996 Cleveland Indians] at Baseball Almanac
[https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1996_WS.shtml 1996 WS] at Baseball Reference

Category:Cleveland Guardians seasons

Cleveland Indians season

Category:American League Central champion seasons

Cleve