1998 Chicago Cubs

1998 Chicago Cubs / Franchise: Chicago Cubs / BR Team Page[edit]

Record: 90-73, Finished 2nd in NL Central Division (1998 NL)

Clinched Wild Card: September 28, 1998 vs. San Francisco Giants

Coaches: Dave Bialas, Tom Gamboa, Jeff Pentland, Dan Radison, Phil Regan and Billy Williams

History, Comments, Contributions[edit]

The 1998 Chicago Cubs were fueled by the MVP season of outfielder Sammy Sosa, who helped the club make its first postseason appearance in 9 years. While the nation's attention was on Sosa and Mark McGwire's chase of Roger Maris' single-season record of 60 home runs, the Cubs were in the middle of the wild card race. While both sluggers would break Maris' record, McGwire's total of 70 home runs topped Sosa's 66. But the Cubs finished the season in a tie for the wild card with the San Francisco Giants. The Cubs beat the Giants in a one-game playoff at Wrigley Field, clinching the club's first-ever wild card win. But when the Cubs met the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS, they were swept in three games.

The most memorable moment of the season came early on, however. On May 6th, rookie Kerry Wood had one of the most dominant pitching performances ever against the Houston Astros as he struck out 20 batters, allowing just one hit and walking none. The 20 strikeouts are still tied for the major league record. That start was worth a game score of 105 - the highest ever recorded for a nine-inning start.

Awards and Honors[edit]

All-Star: Sammy Sosa
NL MVP: Sammy Sosa
NL Rookie of the Year Award: Kerry Wood
NL Silver Slugger Award: Sammy Sosa (OF)
Topps All-Star Rookie Team: Kerry Wood (RhP)

Further Reading[edit]

Alyson Footer and Carrie Muskat: "Remembering the most dominant start ever: 20 years later, Wood and Astros hitters recall 20-strikeout game", mlb.com, May 6, 2018. [1]