Introducing the 1998 Yankees Diary: A 25th Anniversary Retrospective

Twenty-five years ago, no one could have known what was to come. The Yankees had captured hearts around New York by winning the World Series in 1996, their first title in 18 years. But manager Joe Torre’s 96-win ballclub fell short in ‘97, settling for a Wild Card spot and falling in a heartbreaking ALDS loss for the second time in three years.

The 1997-98 offseason featured a minor changing of the guard. Championship contributors Wade Boggs, Cecil Fielder, and Dwight Gooden departed in free agency. Disappointing starter Kenny Rogers was shipped out to Oakland for a fateful player to be named later. Catcher Joe Girardi had to accept that up-and-comer Jorge Posada would take some more of his playing time. Extension talks with Bernie Williams stagnated and the Yankees were forced to consider that ‘98 could be the star’s last season in pinstripes.

Most importantly, GM Bob Watson decided that a total of two years under George Steinbrenner was quite enough and resigned in February, opening the door for 30-year-old assistant general manager Brian Cashman to take the top spot behind the scenes. A couple days later, the front office swung a blockbuster trade, acquiring All-Star second baseman Chuck Knoblauch from Minnesota for a package led by top prospect Eric Milton. In spring training, the Yankees signed Orlando “El Duque” Hernández, a former star pitcher from Cuba who had defected but would need some time to get back into game shape.

That was the scene at the end of Yankees spring training. Despite the offseason shakeup, the core of the ‘96 champions was still intact, with Williams in center, All-Star Paul O’Neill in right, matinee idol Derek Jeter at shortstop, co-aces David Cone and Andy Pettitte leading the rotation, sophomore closer Mariano Rivera anchoring the bullpen after a heartbreaking finish to ‘97, and Tino Martinez at first base, fresh off a runner-up MVP campaign. Make no mistake: they had a dangerous team, and Baseball Prospectus unanimously expected them to recapture the AL East crown from the Orioles while fending off the Red Sox, Blue Jays, and expansion Devil Rays.

But 114 wins?

A bevy of breakout campaigns and comeback seasons?

One of the most well-rounded rosters that the game has ever seen?

An 11-2 record in the playoffs en route to a final record of 125-50?

That aforementioned player to be named later becoming World Series MVP?

No one could have predicted dominance to this degree. It was probably the most successful season in baseball history, and we as Yankees fans were lucky enough to see it.

Tomorrow is the 25th anniversary of Opening Day for the 1998 Yankees, and we’ll mark the occasion by kicking off a new series here at Pinstripe Alley. Throughout the year, we’ll go day-by-day throughout the season and look back on forgotten classics, memorable moments, and notable news. There’s a trove of stories and even some video to explore that we can’t wait to present.

What were the Yankees up to on any given day in 1998? We’ll find out together!

April 1, 1998: L, 4-1 @ Anaheim — Opening Day struggles (0-1)
April 2, 1998: L, 10-2 @ Anaheim — Jeter falters in field, bullpen implodes (0-2)
April 3, 1998: off
April 4, 1998: L, 7-3 @ Oakland — Cone can’t stop the bleeding (0-3)
April 5, 1998: W, 9-7 @ Oakland — Posada propels team to first win (1-3)
April 6, 1998: L, 8-0 @ Seattle — Shutout in the Kingdome; doom & gloom (1-4)
April 7, 1998: W, 13-7 @ Seattle — A much-needed slugfest (2-4)
April 8, 1998: W, 4-3 @ Seattle — Yanks avoid ‘95 déjà vu (3-4)
April 9, 1998: off
April 10, 1998: W, 17-13 vs. Oakland — A home opener for the ages (4-4)
April 11, 1998: W, 3-1 vs. Oakland — Andy dandy in win over A’s (5-4)
April 12, 1998: W, 7-5 vs. Oakland — Paulie powers first sweep (6-4)
April 13, 1998: Game cancelled after Yankee Stadium scare
April 14, 1998: off
April 15, 1998: W, 6-3 vs. Anaheim — Darryl leads “home” win at Shea (7-4)
April 16, 1998: off
April 17, 1998: W, 11-2 @ Detroit — Tino is grand in seventh-straight W (8-4)
April 18, 1998: W, 8-3 @ Detroit — Coney gets it right for eighth in a row (9-4)
April 19, 1998: L, 2-1 @ Detroit — Irabu loses pitchers’ duel (9-5)
April 20, 1998: W, 3-2 @ Toronto — Sloppy defense costs Jays late (10-5)
April 21, 1998: W, 5-3 @ Toronto — 10th-inning rally banks another win (11-5)
April 22, 1998: W, 9-1 @ Toronto — The Rocket gets lit up (12-5)
April 23, 1998: off
April 24, 1998: W, 8-4 vs. Detroit — Yankee Stadium reopens with a win (13-5)
April 25, 1998: W, 5-4 vs. Detroit — Darryl-fueled comeback downs Detroit (14-5)
April 26, 1998: off
April 27, 1998: W, 1-0 vs. Toronto — Clemens dispatched again in 1-0 win (15-5)
April 28, 1998: L, 5-2 vs. Toronto — Offense can’t win ‘em all (15-6)
April 29, 1998: W, 8-5 vs. Seattle — Cone fans 11 M’s (16-6)
April 30, 1998: W, 9-8 vs. Seattle — Rock ties it, Tino walks off in extras (17-6)

May 1, 1998: W, 2-1 @ Kansas City — Irabu spins a gem (18-6)
May 2, 1998: W, 12-6 @ Kansas City — Late rally buries Royals (19-6)
May 3, 1998: W, 10-1 @ Kansas City — Royals swept away (20-6)
May 4, 1998: off
May 5, 1998: W, 7-2 @ Texas — Bats stay hot in Arlington (21-6)
May 6, 1998: W, 15-13 @ Texas — Wells melts down, Yanks barely survive (22-6)
May 7, 1998: off
May 8, 1998: W, 5-1 @ Minnesota — Crazy eights (23-6)
May 9, 1998: L, 8-1 @ Minnesota — Ortiz says hello as Yanks lose (23-7)
May 10, 1998: W, 7-0 @ Minnesota — Mendoza twirls a shutout (24-7)
May 11, 1998: off
May 12, 1998: W, 3-2 vs. Kansas City — Bernie’s first bomb beats Royals (25-7)
May 13, 1998: W, 8-6 vs. Texas — Newman-approved slam for Bernie (26-7)
May 14, 1998: L, 5-7 vs. Texas — Mo blows save, Yanks lose in 13th (26-8)
May 15, 1998: L, 6-7 vs. Minnesota — A two-game losing streak?? (26-9)
May 16, 1998: W, 5-2 vs. Minnesota — Mendoza stymies Twins again (27-9)
May 17, 1998: W, 4-0 vs. Minnesota — David Wells is perfect (28-9)
May 18, 1998: off
May 19, 1998: W, 9-5 vs. Baltimore — The Benitez Brawl (29-9)
May 20, 1998: W, 9-6 vs. Baltimore — Bats do the talking vs. O’s (30-9)
May 21, 1998: W, 3-1 vs. Baltimore — Pettitte sweeps O’s away (31-9)
May 22, 1998: L, 4-5 @ Boston — Red Sox rally in Beantown (31-10)
May 23, 1998: W, 12-3 @ Boston — Emphatic response to elusive L (32-10)
May 24, 1998: W, 14-4 @ Boston — Boston bullying continues (33-10)
May 25, 1998: W, 12-0 @ Chicago (AL) — How about another beatdown? (34-10)
May 26, 1998: W, 7-5 @ Chicago (AL) — Late rally secures series (35-10)
May 27, 1998: L, 9-12 @ Chicago (AL) — Nelson torched pre-suspension (35-11)
May 28, 1998: W, 8-3 vs. Boston — Bombers beat up Wakefield (36-11)
May 29, 1998: W, 6-2 vs. Boston — Cruising to 26 games over .500 (37-11)
May 30, 1998: L, 2-3 vs. Boston — Saberhagen rights BoSox ship (37-12)
May 31, 1998: L, 7-13 vs. Boston — Series split? Season over (37-13)

June 1, 1998: W, 5-4 vs. Chicago (AL) — Yanks survive off-night from Mo (38-13)
June 2, 1998: The MLB Draft and W, 6-3 vs. Chicago (AL) — Seizing on mistakes (39-13)
June 3, 1998: W, 7-1 vs. Tampa Bay — El Duque’s sparkling debut (40-13)
June 4, 1998: W, 6-1 vs. Tampa Bay — No Jeter, no problem (41-13)
June 5, 1998: W, 5-1 vs. Florida — Not-so-fearsome defending champions (42-13)
June 6, 1998: W, 4-2 vs. Florida — Bernie fries the Fish (43-13)