The 1998 Pacific Coast League season was the 96th season in the league's history. It ended with the New Orleans Zephyrs winning their first championship since moving from Denver in 1992. The Zephyrs also won the Triple-A World Series.
With the dissolution of the American Association, the PCL expanded from 10 to 16 teams and went to a full-season format for the first time since the 1978 season. New Orleans, Iowa, Omaha, Oklahoma City and Nashville came over from the AA, and the Memphis Redbirds were added as an expansion team. The Phoenix Firebirds relocated to Fresno as well.
This necessitated a realignment into four divisions, and the playoff format was modified as a result. The four division winners qualified. The semifinal series between New Orleans and Iowa was shortened to a best-of-three series due to inclement weather.
Final standings[edit]
Playoff teams in bold.
American Conference[edit]
Pacific Conference[edit]
Playoffs[edit]
Conference Championships[edit]
| Iowa vs. New Orleans
|
| Date |
Away |
Home
|
| September 9 |
New Orleans 6 |
Iowa 7
|
| September 10 |
New Orleans 5 |
Iowa 3
|
| September 13 |
Iowa 1 |
New Orleans 2
|
| New Orleans wins series 2-1
|
|
| Calgary vs. Fresno
|
| Date |
Away |
Home
|
| September 9 |
Calgary 9 |
Fresno 8
|
| September 10 |
Calgary 6 |
Fresno 7
|
|
10 innings
|
| September 11 |
Fresno 5 |
Calgary 7
|
| September 12 |
Fresno 6 |
Calgary 5
|
| September 13 |
Fresno 3 |
Calgary 9
|
| Calgary wins series 3-2
|
|
Championship Finals[edit]
| New Orleans vs. Calgary
|
| Date |
Away |
Home
|
| September 15 |
New Orleans 4 |
Calgary 1
|
| September 16 |
New Orleans 8 |
Calgary 12
|
| September 17 |
Calgary 5 |
New Orleans 2
|
| September 18 |
Calgary 1 |
New Orleans 8
|
| September 19 |
Calgary 3 |
New Orleans 4
|
| New Orleans wins series 3-2 and
|
| advances to Triple-A World Series
|
|
League Leaders[edit]
Batting[edit]
- Batting Average Jeremy Giambi, Omaha, .372
- Runs Scored Russ Johnson, New Orleans, 95
- Hits Dave Hajek, Las Vegas, 177
- Doubles Dan Rohrmeier, Tacoma, 51
- Triples Edwin Diaz, Tucson, 12
- Home Runs Chris Hatcher, Omaha, 46
- Runs Batted In George Arias, Las Vegas, 119
- Stolen Bases Lou Frazier, Calgary, 42
Pitching[edit]
- Wins Kurt Miller, Iowa & Dave Swartzbaugh, Iowa, 14
- Earned Run Average Brady Raggio, Memphis, 3.07
- Complete Games Gil Heredia, Edmonton, 6
- Shutouts Larry Luebbers, Memphis & Ricky Pickett, Fresno and Tucson and Oklahoma, 2
- Strikeouts Matt Clement, Las Vegas, 160
- Saves Bart Evans, Omaha, 27
All-Star Team[edit]
- First Base Mario Valdéz, Calgary
- Second Base Dave Hajek, Las Vegas
- Shortstop Scott Sheldon, Oklahoma
- Third Base George Arias, Las Vegas
- Outfield Jeremy Giambi, Omaha; Armando Ríos, Fresno; Derrick White, Iowa and Colorado Springs
- Catcher Mitch Meluskey, New Orleans
- Designated Hitter Chris Hatcher, Omaha
- Right-Handed Pitcher Kurt Miller, Iowa
- Left-Handed Pitcher John Halama, New Orleans
- Relief Pitcher Bart Evans, Omaha
References[edit]
External Links[edit]
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