1998 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics' 1998 season saw the A's finish with a record of 74 wins and 88 losses. The campaign was the first of the Billy Beane era. While the Athletics finished a distant fourth in the AL West, they improved upon the prior year's dismal output of 65-97.
1998 Oakland Athletics | |
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Major League affiliations | |
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Location | |
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Results | |
Record | 74–88 (.457) |
Other information | |
Owner(s) | Stephen Schott Ken Hofmann |
General manager(s) | Billy Beane |
Manager(s) | Art Howe |
Local television | KRON-TV Fox Sports Bay Area (Ray Fosse, Greg Papa, Ken Wilson) |
Local radio | KNEW (Bill King, Ken Korach, Ray Fosse) |
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The strong play of Jason Giambi, Matt Stairs and Kenny Rogers highlighted an otherwise forgettable campaign. Rogers' performance was particularly impressive; in arguably the finest season of his career, he won 16 games and posted a 3.17 earned run average (both were the best full-season marks by an Athletics starter since 1992). Additionally, the 1998 season marked Rickey Henderson's fourth (and final) stint with the Athletics. Henderson, at the age of 39, stole a total 66 bases; this total lead the league in that category. Lastly, rookie Ben Grieve collected a Rookie of the Year (ROY) award for his solid debut season. The award was the Athletics' first since Walt Weiss received one in 1988.
The Athletics posted a winning record in 1999. The organization, under Beane, would not post another losing season until 2007.
Offseason
- October 29, 1997: Dane Johnson was selected off waivers from the Athletics by the Toronto Blue Jays.[1]
- November 7, 1997: The Athletics traded a player to be named later to the New York Yankees for Kenny Rogers and cash. The Athletics completed the deal by sending Scott Brosius to the Yankees on November 18.[2]
- November 18, 1997: Tony Batista was drafted from the Athletics by the Arizona Diamondbacks as the 27th pick in the 1997 MLB Expansion Draft.[3]
- November 26, 1997: David Newhan and Don Wengert were traded by the Athletics to the San Diego Padres for Jorge Velandia and Doug Bochtler.[4]
- November 22, 1997: Damon Berryhill was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.[5]
- December 4, 1997: Mark Acre was purchased from the Athletics by the Yakult Swallows.[6]
- December 5, 1997: Jack Voigt was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.[7]
- December 16, 1997: Mike Blowers was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.[8]
- December 22, 1997: Izzy Molina was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.[9]
- January 22, 1998: Rickey Henderson was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.[10]
- March 9, 1998: Kevin Mitchell was signed as a free agent by the Athletics.[11]
- March 17, 1998: Ernie Young was purchased from the Athletics by the Kansas City Royals.[12]
- March 25, 1998: Doug Bochtler was purchased from the Athletics by the Detroit Tigers.[13]
Regular season
Opening Day starters
- Rafael Bournigal
- Tom Candiotti
- Jason Giambi
- Ben Grieve
- Rickey Henderson
- A. J. Hinch
- Dave Magadan
- Jason McDonald
- Scott Spiezio
- Matt Stairs[14]
Season standings
AL West | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
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Texas Rangers | 88 | 74 | 0.543 | — | 48–33 | 40–41 |
Anaheim Angels | 85 | 77 | 0.525 | 3 | 42–39 | 43–38 |
Seattle Mariners | 76 | 85 | 0.472 | 11½ | 42–39 | 34–46 |
Oakland Athletics | 74 | 88 | 0.457 | 14 | 39–42 | 35–46 |
Record vs. opponents
1998 American League Records Sources: | |||||||||||||||
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Team | ANA | BAL | BOS | CWS | CLE | DET | KC | MIN | NYY | OAK | SEA | TB | TEX | TOR | NL |
Anaheim | — | 5–6 | 6–5 | 5–6 | 4–7 | 8–3 | 6–5 | 6–5 | 6–5 | 5–7 | 9–3 | 6–5 | 5–7 | 4–7 | 10–6 |
Baltimore | 6–5 | — | 6–6 | 2–9 | 5–6 | 10–1 | 5–6 | 7–3 | 3–9 | 8–3 | 6–5 | 5–7 | 6–5 | 5–7 | 5–11 |
Boston | 5–6 | 6–6 | — | 5–6 | 8–3 | 5–5 | 8–3 | 5–6 | 5–7 | 9–2 | 7–4 | 9–3 | 6–5 | 5–7 | 9–7 |
Chicago | 6–5 | 9–2 | 6–5 | — | 6–6 | 6–6 | 8–4 | 6–6 | 4–7 | 4–7 | 4–7 | 5–6 | 5–6 | 4–6–1 | 7–9 |
Cleveland | 7–4 | 6–5 | 3–8 | 6–6 | — | 9–3 | 8–4 | 6–6 | 4–7 | 3–8 | 9–2 | 7–3 | 4–7 | 7–4 | 10–6 |
Detroit | 3–8 | 1–10 | 5–5 | 6–6 | 3–9 | — | 6–6 | 8–4 | 3–8 | 7–4 | 3–8 | 5–6 | 3–8 | 5–6 | 7–9 |
Kansas City | 5–6 | 6–5 | 3–8 | 4–8 | 4–8 | 6–6 | — | 7–5 | 0–10 | 7–4 | 4–6 | 8–3 | 3–8 | 6–5 | 9–7 |
Minnesota | 5–6 | 3–7 | 6–5 | 6–6 | 6–6 | 4–8 | 5–7 | — | 4–7 | 4–7 | 2–9 | 7–4 | 7–4 | 4–7 | 7–9 |
New York | 5–6 | 9–3 | 7–5 | 7–4 | 7–4 | 8–3 | 10–0 | 7–4 | — | 8–3 | 8–3 | 11–1 | 8–3 | 6–6 | 13–3 |
Oakland | 7–5 | 3–8 | 2–9 | 7–4 | 8–3 | 4–7 | 4–7 | 7–4 | 3–8 | — | 5–7 | 5–6 | 6–6 | 5–6 | 8–8 |
Seattle | 3–9 | 5–6 | 4–7 | 7–4 | 2–9 | 8–3 | 6–4 | 9–2 | 3–8 | 7–5 | — | 6–5 | 5–7 | 4–7 | 7–9 |
Tampa Bay | 5–6 | 7–5 | 3–9 | 6–5 | 3–7 | 6–5 | 3–8 | 4–7 | 1–11 | 6–5 | 5–6 | — | 4–7 | 5–7 | 5–11 |
Texas | 7–5 | 5–6 | 5–6 | 6–5 | 7–4 | 8–3 | 8–3 | 4–7 | 3–8 | 6–6 | 7–5 | 7–4 | — | 7–4 | 8–8 |
Toronto | 7–4 | 7–5 | 7–5 | 6–4–1 | 4–7 | 6–5 | 5–6 | 7–4 | 6–6 | 6–5 | 7–4 | 7–5 | 4–7 | — | 9–7 |
Notable transactions
- June 2, 1998: 1998 Major League Baseball draft
- Mark Mulder was drafted by the Athletics in the 1st round (2nd pick). Player signed October 9, 1998.[15]
- Eric Byrnes was drafted by the Athletics in the 8th round. Player signed June 12, 1998.[16]
- June 26, 1998: Aaron Small was selected off waivers from the Athletics by the Arizona Diamondbacks.[17]
- August 7, 1998: Kevin Mitchell was released by the Athletics.[11]
- August 9, 1998: Jack Voigt was acquired from the Athletics by the Texas Rangers in a conditional deal.[7]
Roster
1998 Oakland Athletics | |||||||||
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Roster | |||||||||
Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders
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Outfielders
Other batters |
Manager
Coaches
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Player stats
Batting
Starters by position
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; R = Runs; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In; Avg. = Batting average; Slg. = Slugging average; SB = Stolen Bases
Pos. | Player | G | AB | R | H | HR | RBI | Avg. | Slg. | SB |
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C | A. J. Hinch | 120 | 337 | 34 | 78 | 9 | 35 | .231 | .341 | 3 |
1B | Jason Giambi | 153 | 562 | 92 | 166 | 27 | 110 | .295 | .489 | 2 |
2B | Scott Spiezio | 114 | 406 | 54 | 105 | 9 | 50 | .259 | .377 | 1 |
3B | Mike Blowers | 129 | 409 | 56 | 97 | 11 | 71 | .237 | .386 | 1 |
SS | Miguel Tejada | 105 | 365 | 53 | 85 | 11 | 45 | .233 | .384 | 5 |
LF | Ricky Henderson | 152 | 542 | 101 | 128 | 14 | 57 | .236 | .347 | 66 |
CF | Ryan Christenson | 117 | 370 | 56 | 95 | 5 | 50 | .257 | .368 | 5 |
RF | Ben Grieve | 155 | 583 | 94 | 168 | 18 | 89 | .288 | .458 | 2 |
DH | Matt Stairs | 149 | 523 | 88 | 154 | 26 | 106 | .294 | .511 | 8 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
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Ed Sprague | 27 | 87 | 13 | .149 | 3 | 7 |
Jack Voigt | 57 | 72 | 10 | .139 | 1 | 10 |
Pitching
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
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Kenny Rogers | 34 | 238.2 | 16 | 8 | 3.17 | 138 |
Tom Candiotti | 33 | 201 | 11 | 16 | 4.84 | 98 |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
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Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
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Farm system
Level | Team | League | Manager |
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AAA | Edmonton Trappers | Pacific Coast League | Mike Quade |
AA | Huntsville Stars | Southern League | Jeffrey Leonard |
A | Modesto A's | California League | Juan Navarrette |
A | Visalia Oaks | California League | Tony DeFrancesco |
A-Short Season | Southern Oregon Timberjacks | Northwest League | Greg Sparks |
Rookie | AZL Athletics | Arizona League | John Kuehl |
References
- Dane Johnson at Baseball-Reference
- Scott Brosius at Baseball-Reference
- Tony Batista at Baseball-Reference
- Jorge Velandia at Baseball-Reference
- Damon Berryhill at Baseball-Reference
- Mark Acre at Baseball-Reference
- Jack Voigt at Baseball-Reference
- Mike Blowers at Baseball-Reference
- Izzy Molina at Baseball-Reference
- Ricky Henderson at Baseball-Reference
- Kevin Mitchell at Baseball-Reference
- Ernie Young at Baseball-Reference
- Doug Bochtler at Baseball-Reference
- http://baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/roster.php?y=1998&t=OAK
- Mark Mulder at Baseball-Reference
- Eric Byrnes at Baseball-Reference
- Aaron Small at Baseball-Reference
- https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SEA/1998.shtml
- 1998 Oakland Athletics team at Baseball-Reference
- 1998 Oakland Athletics team page at www.baseball-almanac.com
- Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (3rd ed.). Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America. ISBN 978-1-932391-17-6.