The 1998 season was the 96th season played by the New York Yankees. Widely regarded as one of the greatest teams in baseball history, the Yankees finished with a franchise record regular-season standing of 114–48. These Yankees set an American League record for wins in a season, a record that would stand until 2001, when the Seattle Mariners won 116 games in the regular season against 46 losses. It also saw Yankee David Wells pitch the 15th perfect game in baseball history. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium, in which they celebrated the stadium's 75th anniversary. Joe Torre managed the team.
In the postseason, they swept the Texas Rangers in the American League Division Series, won the American League pennant by beating the Cleveland Indians four games to two in the American League Championship Series, and swept the San Diego Padres to capture their 24th World Series. Including the playoffs, the 1998 Yankees won a total of 125 games against 50 losses, a Major League Baseball record.
Contents
Offseason transactions
November 11, 1997: Charlie Hayes was traded by the New York Yankees with cash to the San Francisco Giants for Chris Singleton and Alberto Castillo (minors).
November 12, 1997: Luis Sojo was signed as a free agent with the New York Yankees.
November 18, 1997: Scott Brosius was sent by the Oakland Athletics to the New York Yankees to complete an earlier deal made on November 7, 1997. The Oakland Athletics sent a player to be named later to the New York Yankees for Kenny Rogers and cash.
November 25, 1997: Dale Sveum was signed as a free agent with the New York Yankees.
December 10, 1997: Chili Davis signed as a free agent with the New York Yankees.
January 8, 1998: Darryl Strawberry re-signed as a free agent with the New York Yankees.
January 15, 1998: Tim Raines re-signed as a free agent with the New York Yankees.
January 26, 1998: Doug Linton was signed as a free agent with the New York Yankees.
February 6, 1998: Chuck Knoblauch was traded by the Minnesota Twins to the New York Yankees for Brian Buchanan, Cristian Guzmán, Eric Milton, Danny Mota, and cash.
March 14, 1998: Doug Linton was released by the New York Yankees.
June 2, 1998: Mark Prior was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 1st round (43rd pick) of the 1998 amateur draft, but did not sign.
June 2, 1998: Drew Henson was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 3rd round of the 1998 amateur draft. Player signed July 24, 1998.
Season standings
Game log
Player stats
Batting
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
ALDS
Game 1
September 29 at Yankee Stadium (New York Yankees)
Game 2
September 30 at Yankee Stadium (New York Yankees)
Game 3
October 2 at The Ballpark in Arlington (Texas Rangers)
ALCS
New York wins the series, 4–2
World Series
Game 1
October 17, 1998, at Yankee Stadium in New York
Game 2
October 18, 1998, at Yankee Stadium in New York
Game 3
October 20, 1998, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California
Game 4
October 21, 1998, at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California
Awards and honors
Scott Brosius, 3B, World Series Most Valuable Player
David Wells, Pitcher, American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player
David Cone, Pitcher, Hutch Award
Derek Jeter, Shortstop, American League Leader in Runs scored, 127
Joe Torre, Associated Press Manager of the Year
Bernie Williams, Outfielder, 1998 American League Batting Title
All-Star Game
Scott Brosius, 3B, reserve
Derek Jeter, SS, reserve
Paul O'Neill, OF, reserve
David Wells, P, starter
Bernie Williams, OF, reserve
Farm system
LEAGUE CO-CHAMPIONS: Oneonta