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Moriarty9 · 04-07-2008, 01:38 PM

1998: Division Champs, Swept out of ALDS
Wild Card Royals KO Sox

For the third time in four seasons, the Red Sox won the American League East. The 1998 season marked the fourth straight season the team made the playoffs.

The team's 95-67 record put them 11 games ahead of the second-place New York Yankees, 84-78, and 14 games ahead of the defending AL East Champion Baltimore Orioles, 81-81.

The team drew more than 3.42 million fans (2nd highest total in AL) to Fenway Park with a $62.55 million payroll (7th highest in AL).

KEY OFFENSIVE CONTRIBUTORS
Mo Vaughn, 1B (All Star, MVP)
Mo Vaughn took home his second MVP award in 1998, hitting .321 with 40 HR, 121 RBI and 132 runs. He led the team in a number of offensive catergories, including at bats, runs, total bases and home runs.

Manny Ramirez, RF
Manny earned a four-year, $39 million contract extension halfway through the 1998 season. Although he hit .328 with 28 HR, 109 RBI and 104 runs scored, Ramirez did not make the All-Star team.

Reggie Jefferson, DH (AL Hits Leader)
Jefferson had another fine season in 1998, hitting .327 with 43 doubles, 18 HR, 94 RBI and 110 runs scored. Jefferson led the AL in hits, was second in doubles, sixth in batting average and ninth in runs scored.

Todd Helton, LF
Although it was clear his outfield skills were nothing impressive, it was also very clear he had to be in the lineup with his offensive skills. Helton hit .305 with 33 HR, 127 RBI and 111 runs scored in his first full season as an everyday player. Helton led the AL in intentional walks (13), was third in RBI, sixth in extra-base hits (73), seventh in total bases (319), 10th in home runs.

Jose Cruz Jr., CF (All Star)
Curz blossomed in his third season with Boston, hitting .267 with 28 HR, 100 RBI, 113 runs, 108 walks and 27 stolen bases. As the team's leadoff man, Cruz led the AL in sacrifice hits (2), was second in walks and fourth in runs.

OFFENSIVE DISAPPOINTMENTS
Mike Devereaux, OF
Brought on as a veteran fourth outfielder, Devereaux failed to produce when given the opportunity. He hit .205 with a pair of homers and 12 RBI in 43 games before the team decided his services were no longer needed and traded him to San Francisco for backup catcher Rick Wilkins.

KEY PITCHING CONTRIBUTORS
Randy Johnson (All Star)
Coming off a second straight Cy Young season, Johnson made a bid for three in a row with a 17-9, 4.08 ERA, 288 K season. The Big Unit led the AL in strikeouts, was second in wins and complete games (5).

Derek Lowe (Closer)
Though it was Troy Percival's job to start the season, Derek Lowe eventually took over as the team's closer, saving 22 games with a 2.78 ERA in his first 53 big league appearances.

PITCHING DISAPPOINTMENTS
Mark Acre (Reliever)
After two solid seasons in the bullpen (one as closer, another as a setup man), Acre struggled in 1998. He went 4-1 with 5 saves and a 5.25 ERA in 51 games.

Rheal Cormier (Southpaw Starter, Traded to Tigers)
After going 16-8 with a 3.80 ERA the year before (42-25 the three seasons prior with Boston), things went mysteriously downhill for Cormier in 1998. In 16 games, 12 of which were starts before being shipped to the bullpen, Cormier went 3-7 with a 5.19 ERA in 78 innings of work. He was traded in late June.

NOTEABLE TRANSACTIONS
Cormier traded to Detroit for rookie Halladay
To Boston Red Sox: Roy Halladay
To Detroit Tigers: Rheal Cormier
After a poor first half of the season, Cormier was moved to the bullpen before being traded to the Tigers for 21-year-old Roy Halladay.
In 16 games, 12 of which were starts, Cormier went 3-7 with a 5.19 ERA over 78 innings. After the June 28 trade to the Tigers, he improved some, going 5-6 with a 3.96 ERA in 15 starts.
Halladay was 6-2 with a 3.72 ERA in 11 starts with Detroit at the time of the trade. He didn't adjust well immediately to Boston, going 4-5 with a 4.44 ERA in 16 starts with the Red Sox that season. He struggled over the next couple of seasons before blossoming into a strong starting pitcher and the 2004 AL Cy Young Award winner. In 11 big league seasons, Halladay owns a 209-105 record and 4.02 ERA.

THE DRAFT
Southpaw Scott Schoeneweis Selected
The Red Sox used their first round draft pick to select left-handed pitcher Scott Schoeneweis. The team's other main draft picks were infielder Chris Woodward (2nd round), reliever Mike Venafro (3rd round) and outfielder Peter Bergeron (4th round).

THE PLAYOFFS
Division Series: Angels v. Indians
After winning the AL West with an 82-80 record, the Anaheim Angels were pushed out of the post-season by the AL Central Champion Cleveland Indians (98-64) in four games.

Division Series: Red Sox v. Royals
For the third straight season, Boston's season came to an end in the ALDS as the Red Sox were swept in three games by the Kansas City Royals, winners of the AL Wild Card with a 93-69 record.

Division Series: Marlins v. Reds
The Cincinnati Reds won the NL Wild Card and then the NLDS in a four-game series with the Marlins.

Division Series: Dodgers v. Pirates
The Dodgers and Pirates went the distance in the best-of-five NLDS before Los Angeles was able to advance to the NLCS.

ALCS: Indians v. Royals
Division foes fought for the AL pennant in the ALCS and, just as they had the year prior, the Indians won and advanced to the World Series.

NLCS: Dodgers v. Reds
With the Indians in the World Series, the Reds were hoping to make it an all Ohio World Series but it was the Dodgers who came out on top in the seventh and deciding game of the NLCS.

World Series: Dodgers v. Indians
Having lost to the Expos in the 1997 World Series, the Indians rebounded by defeating the Dodgers in the 1998 World Series in five games.

AWARDS
MVPs: Mo Vaughn, Luis Gonzalez
Mo Vaughn of the Boston Red Sox won his second MVP award in 1998 after hitting .321 with 40 HR, 121 RBI and a league-leading 132 runs scored. Vaughn was second to teammate Reggie Jefferson in hits with 212, was third in the AL in total bases (362) and singles (143), fourth in homers. He beat out Carlos Delgado of the Blue Jays for the MVP award despite Delgado's 55 HR and 160 RBI.
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Luis Gonzalez' .356 average may have won him a batting title but it, combined with his 25 HR and 128 RBI, earned him his first career MVP award. Gonzalez was led the NL in RBI and total bases (347), was second in hits (206) and third in triples (8). He tied for second in doubles with 50.

Heredia, Maddux win Cy Young Awards
Gil Heredia of the Cleveland Indians won his first Cy Young after going 23-6 with a 2.67 ERA and striking out 137 batters in 1998. The only 20-game winner in baseball, Heredia led the AL in ERA, winning percentage (.793), innings pitched (256) and walks per nine innings (1.1).
After a one-year hiatus, Greg Maddux returned to the winner's circle in the Cy Young Award race in 1998. He went 18-10 with a 3.15 ERA and 172 strikeouts for the Braves. He led the NL in wins (18) and complete games (6) and was fourth in ERA (3.15).

Rookies Singleton, Daubach honored for excellence
Chris Singleton of the Tigers took home the AL Rookie of the Year award in 1998 after hitting .329 with 27 HR and 110 RBI. He had the fourth highest average among all AL hitters as well as the fourth highest hit total at 203.
New York Mets 1B Brian Daubach had an impressive rookie season, putting up a .312 average, 29 homers, 110 RBI and scoring 107 runs in 159 games. He led all NL batters with 15 intentional walks, finished second in total bases (339) and doubles (50), and third in hits (198)

04-07-2008, 01:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
Moriarty9 Major Leagues Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 399	1998: Division Champs, Swept out of ALDS 1998: Division Champs, Swept out of ALDS Wild Card Royals KO Sox For the third time in four seasons, the Red Sox won the American League East. The 1998 season marked the fourth straight season the team made the playoffs. The team's 95-67 record put them 11 games ahead of the second-place New York Yankees, 84-78, and 14 games ahead of the defending AL East Champion Baltimore Orioles, 81-81. The team drew more than 3.42 million fans (2nd highest total in AL) to Fenway Park with a $62.55 million payroll (7th highest in AL). KEY OFFENSIVE CONTRIBUTORS Mo Vaughn, 1B (All Star, MVP) Mo Vaughn took home his second MVP award in 1998, hitting .321 with 40 HR, 121 RBI and 132 runs. He led the team in a number of offensive catergories, including at bats, runs, total bases and home runs. Manny Ramirez, RF Manny earned a four-year, $39 million contract extension halfway through the 1998 season. Although he hit .328 with 28 HR, 109 RBI and 104 runs scored, Ramirez did not make the All-Star team. Reggie Jefferson, DH (AL Hits Leader) Jefferson had another fine season in 1998, hitting .327 with 43 doubles, 18 HR, 94 RBI and 110 runs scored. Jefferson led the AL in hits, was second in doubles, sixth in batting average and ninth in runs scored. Todd Helton, LF Although it was clear his outfield skills were nothing impressive, it was also very clear he had to be in the lineup with his offensive skills. Helton hit .305 with 33 HR, 127 RBI and 111 runs scored in his first full season as an everyday player. Helton led the AL in intentional walks (13), was third in RBI, sixth in extra-base hits (73), seventh in total bases (319), 10th in home runs. Jose Cruz Jr., CF (All Star) Curz blossomed in his third season with Boston, hitting .267 with 28 HR, 100 RBI, 113 runs, 108 walks and 27 stolen bases. As the team's leadoff man, Cruz led the AL in sacrifice hits (2), was second in walks and fourth in runs. OFFENSIVE DISAPPOINTMENTS Mike Devereaux, OF Brought on as a veteran fourth outfielder, Devereaux failed to produce when given the opportunity. He hit .205 with a pair of homers and 12 RBI in 43 games before the team decided his services were no longer needed and traded him to San Francisco for backup catcher Rick Wilkins. KEY PITCHING CONTRIBUTORS Randy Johnson (All Star) Coming off a second straight Cy Young season, Johnson made a bid for three in a row with a 17-9, 4.08 ERA, 288 K season. The Big Unit led the AL in strikeouts, was second in wins and complete games (5). Derek Lowe (Closer) Though it was Troy Percival's job to start the season, Derek Lowe eventually took over as the team's closer, saving 22 games with a 2.78 ERA in his first 53 big league appearances. PITCHING DISAPPOINTMENTS Mark Acre (Reliever) After two solid seasons in the bullpen (one as closer, another as a setup man), Acre struggled in 1998. He went 4-1 with 5 saves and a 5.25 ERA in 51 games. Rheal Cormier (Southpaw Starter, Traded to Tigers) After going 16-8 with a 3.80 ERA the year before (42-25 the three seasons prior with Boston), things went mysteriously downhill for Cormier in 1998. In 16 games, 12 of which were starts before being shipped to the bullpen, Cormier went 3-7 with a 5.19 ERA in 78 innings of work. He was traded in late June. NOTEABLE TRANSACTIONS Cormier traded to Detroit for rookie Halladay To Boston Red Sox: Roy Halladay To Detroit Tigers: Rheal Cormier After a poor first half of the season, Cormier was moved to the bullpen before being traded to the Tigers for 21-year-old Roy Halladay. In 16 games, 12 of which were starts, Cormier went 3-7 with a 5.19 ERA over 78 innings. After the June 28 trade to the Tigers, he improved some, going 5-6 with a 3.96 ERA in 15 starts. Halladay was 6-2 with a 3.72 ERA in 11 starts with Detroit at the time of the trade. He didn't adjust well immediately to Boston, going 4-5 with a 4.44 ERA in 16 starts with the Red Sox that season. He struggled over the next couple of seasons before blossoming into a strong starting pitcher and the 2004 AL Cy Young Award winner. In 11 big league seasons, Halladay owns a 209-105 record and 4.02 ERA. THE DRAFT Southpaw Scott Schoeneweis Selected The Red Sox used their first round draft pick to select left-handed pitcher Scott Schoeneweis. The team's other main draft picks were infielder Chris Woodward (2nd round), reliever Mike Venafro (3rd round) and outfielder Peter Bergeron (4th round). THE PLAYOFFS Division Series: Angels v. Indians After winning the AL West with an 82-80 record, the Anaheim Angels were pushed out of the post-season by the AL Central Champion Cleveland Indians (98-64) in four games. Division Series: Red Sox v. Royals For the third straight season, Boston's season came to an end in the ALDS as the Red Sox were swept in three games by the Kansas City Royals, winners of the AL Wild Card with a 93-69 record. Division Series: Marlins v. Reds The Cincinnati Reds won the NL Wild Card and then the NLDS in a four-game series with the Marlins. Division Series: Dodgers v. Pirates The Dodgers and Pirates went the distance in the best-of-five NLDS before Los Angeles was able to advance to the NLCS. ALCS: Indians v. Royals Division foes fought for the AL pennant in the ALCS and, just as they had the year prior, the Indians won and advanced to the World Series. NLCS: Dodgers v. Reds With the Indians in the World Series, the Reds were hoping to make it an all Ohio World Series but it was the Dodgers who came out on top in the seventh and deciding game of the NLCS. World Series: Dodgers v. Indians Having lost to the Expos in the 1997 World Series, the Indians rebounded by defeating the Dodgers in the 1998 World Series in five games. AWARDS MVPs: Mo Vaughn, Luis Gonzalez Mo Vaughn of the Boston Red Sox won his second MVP award in 1998 after hitting .321 with 40 HR, 121 RBI and a league-leading 132 runs scored. Vaughn was second to teammate Reggie Jefferson in hits with 212, was third in the AL in total bases (362) and singles (143), fourth in homers. He beat out Carlos Delgado of the Blue Jays for the MVP award despite Delgado's 55 HR and 160 RBI. Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Luis Gonzalez' .356 average may have won him a batting title but it, combined with his 25 HR and 128 RBI, earned him his first career MVP award. Gonzalez was led the NL in RBI and total bases (347), was second in hits (206) and third in triples (8). He tied for second in doubles with 50. Heredia, Maddux win Cy Young Awards Gil Heredia of the Cleveland Indians won his first Cy Young after going 23-6 with a 2.67 ERA and striking out 137 batters in 1998. The only 20-game winner in baseball, Heredia led the AL in ERA, winning percentage (.793), innings pitched (256) and walks per nine innings (1.1). After a one-year hiatus, Greg Maddux returned to the winner's circle in the Cy Young Award race in 1998. He went 18-10 with a 3.15 ERA and 172 strikeouts for the Braves. He led the NL in wins (18) and complete games (6) and was fourth in ERA (3.15). Rookies Singleton, Daubach honored for excellence Chris Singleton of the Tigers took home the AL Rookie of the Year award in 1998 after hitting .329 with 27 HR and 110 RBI. He had the fourth highest average among all AL hitters as well as the fourth highest hit total at 203. New York Mets 1B Brian Daubach had an impressive rookie season, putting up a .312 average, 29 homers, 110 RBI and scoring 107 runs in 159 games. He led all NL batters with 15 intentional walks, finished second in total bases (339) and doubles (50), and third in hits (198)