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By PAUL SOKOLOSKI; Times Leader Sports Writer
Wednesday, April 03, 1996     Page:

Entering a new organization, the strong, but easy-going outfielder is
forced to prove himself all over again.
   
Already, the Philadelphia Phillies are finding out what powerful statements
big Glenn Murray can make.
    All they’ve had to do is watch him swing the bat.
   
“Power is the name of my game, but not the only thing I can bring to the
table,” Murray smiled. “I can run. As for the other things, I’ll let it be a
surprise.”
   
Maybe, but that big swing which propels baseballs far beyond the outfield
wall has always been Murray’s greatest asset. It shouldn’t take Red Barons
fans long to appreciate that, as Murray opens the 1996 season as the first
true and natural power hitter in the eight-year Class AAA history of
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
   
After two eye-popping seasons in which he drove in a combined 110 runs for
Boston’s Class AAA affiliate in Pawtucket in 1994 and 1995, Murray came to the
Phillies along with outfielder Lee Tinsley and pitcher Ken Ryan by trade for
Heathcliffe Slocumb this past winter.
   
And after launching 25 home runs to finish second in the International
League in each of the past two seasons, Murray impressed the Phillies with
three homers, three doubles and nine RBI in spring training.
   
“The talk about me was I am a power guy,” said Murray, 25, who resides in
Harrisburg — where he hit 26 homers and drove in 96 runs for Montreal’s Class
AA affiliate in 1993. “I thought it was critical for me to come in and do
that.”
   
But while former PawSox teammates Tinsley and Ryan stuck with the Phillies,
Murray was one of the last cuts out of Phillies camp, and begins a third
season in Class AAA.
   
“I’m a little disappointed,” Murray admitted. “I’ve still got to go there
(to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre) and play ball. I just want to show the Phillies
what I can do and hopefully be the first guy they call up.”
   
Not that he’s down on his new home. Murray made an extra visit to
Lackawanna County Stadium last year as a member of the Triple-A All-Star team
and participated in its home run contest.
   
“I like playing there,” Murray said. “It’s not a home run park, but it’s a
hitter’s ballpark. You just have a lot of room to play there.”
   
Unfortunately for Murray, things became pretty crowded in Boston’s
organization. Even after he led the International League with a ratio of a
homer in every 13.44 at-bats and was rated the league’s best power prospect by
Baseball America , Murray never received a callup to the Red Sox.
   
That’s why he was delighted to be traded to Philadelphia.
   
Now he has major league hope on the horizon.
   
“I think I’ve impressed them,” Murray said of the Phillies. “I think I’ve
opened some eyes.”
   
If his power numbers continue this season, Murray is sure to leave Red
Barons fans filled with amazement as the 1996 season opens.
   
“I don’t ever plan anything,” Murray said. “I just want to go out everyday
and play hard. I just want to be consistent. That’s the big thing in
baseball.”
   
If he accomplishes that, a promotion to Philadelphia may be in Murray’s
near future. Until then, the Red Barons will keep sending the most dangerous
man in their history to make baseballs disappear into spring nights.
   
“Hopefully, we can be a little potent,” Murray said, “win a lot of games
and make it exciting over there.”
   
GLENN MURRAY