1998 Texas Rangers season

The 1998 Texas Rangers season involved the Rangers finishing 1st in the American League west with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses. It would be the team's second post-season appearance, but the team would be swept 3-0 by the New York Yankees.

Offseason

• November 6, 1997: Jim Leyritz and Damon Buford were traded by the Rangers to the Boston Red Sox for Mark Brandenburg, Bill Haselman, and Aaron Sele.^[1]
• November 20, 1997: Scott Sheldon was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.^[2]
• December 8, 1997: Kevin Elster was signed as a Free Agent with the Texas Rangers.^[3]
• December 9, 1997: Roberto Kelly was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.^[4]
• December 15, 1997: Scott Podsednik was drafted by the Rangers from the Florida Marlins in the 1997 rule 5 draft.^[5]
• December 23, 1997: Scott Cooper was signed as a free agent by the Rangers.^[6]
• March 14, 1998: Kevin Brown was traded by the Rangers to the Toronto Blue Jays for Tim Crabtree.^[7]

Regular season

During the season, Rick Helling would be the last pitcher to win at least 20 games in one season for the Rangers in the decade.^[8]

Season standings

Notable transactions

• July 17, 1998: Todd Van Poppel and Warren Morris were traded by the Rangers to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Esteban Loaiza.^[9]
• July 31, 1998: Kevin Elster was released by the Texas Rangers.^[3]
• August 26, 1998: Greg Cadaret was selected off waivers by the Rangers from the Anaheim Angels.^[10]

Roster

Player stats

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; 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

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

New York Yankees vs. Texas Rangers

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)

Awards and honors

• Juan González, AL MVP
• Juan González, Silver Slugger Award
• Iván Rodríguez, C, Gold Glove
• Iván Rodríguez, Silver Slugger Award

All-Star Game

Farm system

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Tulsa, GCL Rangers

References

1. ^ Jim Leyritz page at Baseball Reference
2. ^ Scott Sheldon page at Baseball Reference
3. ^ ^{a b} http://www.baseball-reference.com/e/elsteke01.shtml
4. ^ Roberto Kelly page at Baseball Reference
5. ^ Scott Podsednik page at Baseball Reference
6. ^ Scott Cooper page at Baseball Reference
7. ^ Tim Crabtree page at Baseball Reference
8. ^ Great Baseball Feats, Facts and Figures, 2008 Edition, p.99, David Nemec and Scott Flatow, A Signet Book, Penguin Group, New York, NY, ISBN 978-0-451-22363-0
9. ^ Todd Van Poppel page at Baseball Reference
10. ^ Greg Cadaret page at Baseball Reference

• 1998 Texas Rangers team page at Baseball Reference
• 1998 Texas Rangers team page at www.baseball-almanac.com
• Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (3rd ed.). Durham, N.C.: Baseball America. ISBN 978-1-932391-17-6.