| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | September 29 – October 21, 1998[1] |
| Teams | 8 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | New York Yankees (24th title) |
| Runners-up | San Diego Padres |
| Awards | |
| MVP | Scott Brosius (NYY) |
The1998 Major League Baseball postseason was the playoff tournament ofMajor League Baseball for the1998 season. The winners of theLeague Division Series would move on to theLeague Championship Series to determine the pennant winners that face each other in theWorld Series. This was the first postseason in which teams were seeded by their respective win–loss records within their respective leagues.[2][3]
In the American League, theNew York Yankees andCleveland Indians returned to the postseason for the fourth year in a row, theBoston Red Sox returned to the postseason for the fifth time in thirteen years, and theTexas Rangers returned to the postseason for the second time in three years.
In the National League, theAtlanta Braves made their seventh straight postseason appearance, theChicago Cubs returned to the postseason for the first time since1989, theSan Diego Padres were making their second appearance in the past three years, and theHouston Astros returned for the second year in a row, marking the first time that bothTexas MLB teams made the postseason.
This was the first edition of the postseason since1977 to feature three 100-win teams.
The postseason began on September 29, 1998, and ended on October 21, 1998, with the 114-winNew York Yankees sweeping theSan Diego Padres in the1998 World Series. It was the Yankees' 24th championship in franchise history, tying theNHL’sMontreal Canadiens for the most championship wins in North American sports.
This was the first postseason in which teams were seeded by their respective win–loss record within their respective leagues.
The following teams qualified for the postseason:
| Division Series (ALDS, NLDS) | League Championship Series (ALCS, NLCS) | World Series | |||||||||||
| 1 | NY Yankees | 3 | |||||||||||
| 3 | Texas | 0 | |||||||||||
| 1 | NY Yankees | 4 | |||||||||||
| American League | |||||||||||||
| 2 | Cleveland | 2 | |||||||||||
| 2 | Cleveland | 3 | |||||||||||
| 4 | Boston | 1 | |||||||||||
| AL1 | NY Yankees | 4 | |||||||||||
| NL3 | San Diego | 0 | |||||||||||
| 1 | Atlanta | 3 | |||||||||||
| 4 | Chicago Cubs | 0 | |||||||||||
| 1 | Atlanta | 2 | |||||||||||
| National League | |||||||||||||
| 3 | San Diego | 4 | |||||||||||
| 2 | Houston | 1 | |||||||||||
| 3 | San Diego | 3 | |||||||||||
New York won the series, 3–0.
| Game | Date | Score | Location | Time | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 29 | Texas Rangers – 0,New York Yankees – 2 | Yankee Stadium (I) | 3:02 | 57,362[12] |
| 2 | September 30 | Texas Rangers – 1,New York Yankees – 3 | Yankee Stadium (I) | 2:58 | 57,360[13] |
| 3 | October 2 | New York Yankees – 4,Texas Rangers – 0 | The Ballpark in Arlington | 2:58 | 49,450[14] |
This was the second postseason meeting between the Yankees and Rangers. They last met in the ALDStwo years ago, which the Yankees won in four games. The Yankees swept the Rangers to return to the ALCS for the second time in three years.
This series was not close - the Yankees held the Rangers to only one run scored throughout the entire series.David Wells andMariano Rivera silenced the Rangers’ offense in a Game 1 shutout.Andy Pettitte and Rivera would clamp down on the Rangers again as they won Game 2 by a 3–1 score, with the Rangers’ only run coming fromIván “Pudge” Rodríguez’s RBI single.David Cone and the Yankees’ bullpen silenced the Rangers’ offense in yet another shutout win in Arlington in Game 3.
The Yankees and Rangers would meet againthe next year, which also ended in a Yankees sweep. It would be in2010 that the Rangers would finally break through against the Yankees before falling in the World Series.
Cleveland won the series, 3–1.
| Game | Date | Score | Location | Time | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 29 | Boston Red Sox – 11,Cleveland Indians – 3 | Jacobs Field | 3:16 | 45,185[15] |
| 2 | September 30 | Boston Red Sox – 5,Cleveland Indians – 9 | Jacobs Field | 3:25 | 45,229[16] |
| 3 | October 2 | Cleveland Indians – 4,Boston Red Sox – 3 | Fenway Park | 2:27 | 33,114[17] |
| 4 | October 3 | Cleveland Indians – 2,Boston Red Sox – 1 | Fenway Park | 3:00 | 33,537[18] |
This was the second postseason meeting between the Red Sox and Indians. They last met in the ALDS in1995, which was won by the Indians before they fell in the World Series that year. The Indians once again defeated the Red Sox to return to the ALCS for the third time in four years.
The Red Sox blew out the Indians in Game 1 thanks to a pair of three-run home runs fromNomar Garciaparra andMo Vaughn. Game 2 was an offensive showdown that was won by the Indians, capped off by a three-run home run fromDavid Justice, which evened the series headed to Boston. In Game 3,Jim Thome,Kenny Lofton, andManny Ramirez all homered for the Indians as they won by one run to take the series lead. In Game 4, the Red Sox took an early lead thanks to another home run from Garciaparra, but the Indians rallied to win in the eighth thanks to an RBI double from Justice.
Both teams would meet again in the ALDSthe next year, the ALCS in2007, and the ALDS again in2016, with the Red Sox winning the former two, and the Indians winning the latter.
Atlanta won the series, 3–0.
| Game | Date | Score | Location | Time | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 30 | Chicago Cubs – 1,Atlanta Braves – 7 | Turner Field | 2:34 | 45,598[19] |
| 2 | October 1 | Chicago Cubs – 1,Atlanta Braves – 2(10) | Turner Field | 2:47 | 51,713[20] |
| 3 | October 3 | Atlanta Braves – 6,Chicago Cubs – 2 | Wrigley Field | 2:57 | 39,597[21] |
This was the first postseason meeting between the Braves and Cubs. The Braves swept the Cubs to advance to the NLCS for a record seventh year in a row.
John Smoltz pitched seven shutout innings as the Braves blew out the Cubs in Game 1. In Game 2, the only extra inning contest of the series, the Braves prevailed off an RBI single fromChipper Jones in the bottom of the tenth to take a 2–0 series lead to Chicago. The Braves took Game 3 by a 6–2 score to advance. In Game 3, the Braves took an early 1-0 lead, and then sealed their victory in the top of the eighth thanks to a grand slam byEddie Pérez.
Both teams would meet again in the postseason in the NLDS in2003, where the Cubs returned the favor to win their first postseason series since1908.
San Diego won the series, 3–1.
| Game | Date | Score | Location | Time | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 29 | San Diego Padres – 2,Houston Astros – 1 | Astrodome | 2:38 | 50,080[22] |
| 2 | October 1 | San Diego Padres – 4,Houston Astros – 5 | Astrodome | 2:53 | 45,550[23] |
| 3 | October 3 | Houston Astros – 1,San Diego Padres – 2 | Qualcomm Stadium | 2:32 | 65,235[24] |
| 4 | October 4 | Houston Astros – 1,San Diego Padres – 6 | Qualcomm Stadium | 2:39 | 64,898[25] |
The Padres upset the team with the MLB's best offense in the Astros in four games to advance to the NLCS for the first time since1984.
The Padres took Game 1 on the road asKevin Brown out-dueled Astros' aceRandy Johnson on the mound, winning their first road playoff game in franchise history.Shane Reynolds pitched seven solid innings as the Astros evened the series in Game 2. When the series moved to San Diego for Game 3, the Padres'Jim Leyritz hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to secure the win. In Game 4, the Padres closed out the series asSterling Hitchcock out-dueled Johnson on the mound, handing him his second loss.
This was the last time the Padres won an NLDS series until2022.
New York won the series, 4–2.
| Game | Date | Score | Location | Time | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 6 | Cleveland Indians – 2,New York Yankees – 7 | Yankee Stadium (I) | 3:31 | 57,138[26] |
| 2 | October 7 | Cleveland Indians – 4,New York Yankees – 1(12) | Yankee Stadium (I) | 4:28 | 57,128[27] |
| 3 | October 9 | New York Yankees – 1,Cleveland Indians – 6 | Jacobs Field | 2:53 | 44,904[28] |
| 4 | October 10 | New York Yankees – 4,Cleveland Indians – 0 | Jacobs Field | 3:31 | 44,981[29] |
| 5 | October 11 | New York Yankees – 5,Cleveland Indians – 3 | Jacobs Field | 3:33 | 44,966[30] |
| 6 | October 13 | Cleveland Indians – 5,New York Yankees – 9 | Yankee Stadium (I) | 3:31 | 57,142[31] |
This was the second postseason meeting between the Indians and Yankees. The Yankees defeated the defending American League champion Indians in six games to return to the World Series for the second time in three years.
David Wells pitched eight solid innings as the Yankees took Game 1. Game 2 was a long and grueling contest which was won by the Indians asKenny Lofton had a two-run RBI single in the top of the twelfth which put them in the lead for good.Bartolo Colón pitched a complete game as the Indians won Game 3 to take a surprising series lead over the 114-win Yankees.Orlando "El Duque" Hernández pitched seven innings of shutout ball in Game 4 as the Yankees shut out the Indians to even the series. Wells pitched seven innings in a 5–3 Yankees win in Game 5 to take a 3–2 series lead headed back to the Bronx. In Game 6, the Yankees jumped out to a big lead early and held it to clinch the pennant.
The Indians would return to the ALCS in2007, but they blew a 3–1 series lead and fell to the eventual World Series championBoston Red Sox in seven games. They would eventually win the pennant again in2016 over theToronto Blue Jays in five games before coming up short in the World Series.
This was the first of four straight pennants won by the Yankees - they would win the pennant againthe next year, defeating their archrival in the aforementioned Red Sox in five games. They would also win it again in2000 and2001 over theSeattle Mariners in six and five games respectively.
Both teams would meet again in the ALDS in2007 and2017, the Wild Card round in2020, the ALDS again in2022, and the ALCS again in2024, with the Indians/Guardians winning the former and the Yankees winning the latter four.
San Diego won the series, 4–2.
| Game | Date | Score | Location | Time | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 7 | San Diego Padres – 3,Atlanta Braves – 2(10) | Turner Field | 3:27 | 42,117[32] |
| 2 | October 8 | San Diego Padres – 3,Atlanta Braves – 0 | Turner Field | 2:54 | 43,083[33] |
| 3 | October 10 | Atlanta Braves – 1,San Diego Padres – 4 | Qualcomm Stadium | 3:00 | 62,799[34] |
| 4 | October 11 | Atlanta Braves – 8,San Diego Padres – 3 | Qualcomm Stadium | 2:58 | 65,042[35] |
| 5 | October 12 | Atlanta Braves – 7,San Diego Padres – 6 | Qualcomm Stadium | 3:17 | 58,988[36] |
| 6 | October 14 | San Diego Padres – 5,Atlanta Braves – 0 | Turner Field | 3:10 | 50,988[37] |
This was the first postseason meeting between the Padres and Braves. The Padres upset the NL-best Braves in six games to return to the World Series for the first time since1984.
Game 1 was a long and grueling battle that was won by the Padres thanks to a go-ahead home run byKen Caminiti in the top of the tenth.Kevin Brown pitched a three-hit complete game shutout in Game 2 as the Padres won 3-0 to take a 2-0 series lead headed home to San Diego.Sterling Hitchcock pitched five solid innings as the Padres took a commanding three games to none series lead, and were now one win away from the pennant. However, things didn’t go the Padres’ way just yet.Javy López andAndrés Galarraga helped bring the Braves’ offense back to as they blew out the Padres in Game 4 to get on the board in the series. Game 5 was an offensive shootout between both teams that was won by the Braves, asGreg Maddux earned a save, preventing the Padres from clinching the pennant in front of their home fans as the series went back to Atlanta. However, the Padres would close out the series in Game 6, as Hitchcock and the Padres’ bullpen silenced the Braves’ offense to clinch the pennant.
As of 2025, this is the last time that the Padres won the NL pennant. The Padres would eventually return to theNLCS in2022, but were defeated by thePhiladelphia Phillies in five games, who made aCinderella run to the World Series. Until2020, this was the last playoff series win by the Padres.
The Braves would return to the NLCS againnext year, and defeated theNew York Mets in six games before they ultimately fell in theWorld Series.
Both teams would meet again in the Wild Card round in2024, which was won by the Padres in a sweep.
New York won the series, 4–0.
| Game | Date | Score | Location | Time | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 17 | San Diego Padres – 6,New York Yankees – 9 | Yankee Stadium | 3:29 | 56,712[38] |
| 2 | October 18 | San Diego Padres – 3,New York Yankees – 9 | Yankee Stadium | 3:31 | 56,692[39] |
| 3 | October 20 | New York Yankees – 5,San Diego Padres – 4 | Qualcomm Stadium | 3:14 | 64,667[40] |
| 4 | October 21 | New York Yankees – 3,San Diego Padres – 0 | Qualcomm Stadium | 2:58 | 65,427[41] |
This was the seventhNew York–California matchup in the World Series (1962,1963,1973,1977,1978,1981).[42][43][44] The Yankees handily swept the Padres to win their second title in three years.
Game 1 was an offensive slugfest that was won by the Yankees. In Game 2,Orlando Hernández pitched seven solid innings as the Yankees blew out the Padres to take a 2-0 series lead headed to San Diego. In Game 3, the Padres lead after seven innings, but their lead was erased thanks to two homers fromScott Brosius as the Yankees came from behind to take a commanding three games to none series lead.Andy Pettitte andMariano Rivera helped the Yankees shut out the Padres in Game 4 to complete the sweep and clinch the title. Game 4 was the last postseason game ever played atQualcomm Stadium, and the most recent World Series game played in San Diego to date.
With the win, the Yankees improved their World Series record against theCalifornia-based teams to 4-2, having previously won in 1962, 1977, and 1978. The Yankees tied theNHL’sMontreal Canadiens for the most championships in North American sports with their 24th championship, and would officially surpass the Canadiensthe next year to become the team with the most championships, as they swept theAtlanta Braves to repeat as champions. The Yankees would then complete a three-peat in2000 over their cross-town rivals in theNew York Mets in five games.
As of 2025, this is the last championship series of thefour major North American sports leagues to feature a team fromSan Diego.
This was the third season under a five-year U.S. rights agreement withESPN,Fox, andNBC. Division Series games aired across the three networks. NBC then televised theAmerican League Championship Series, while Fox aired both theNational League Championship Series and theWorld Series.
