1998 Chicago Cubs

Wild Card Winner

The 1998 Chicago Cubs had their fair share of ups and downs, big plays and magical moments, and surprising mishaps and letdowns. In other words, the Chicago Cubs 1998 season was much like every other season for the Cubbies. The team ended up clinching a Wild Card spot in the postseason, finishing 2nd in the NL Central with a 90-73 record, managed by Jim Riggleman. The season stands out for one main reason though, Sammy Sosa, and his 66 home runs.

1998 NL Central Standings Team W L Pct GB Houston 102 60 .630 -- Chicago 90 73 .552 12.5 ST Louis 83 79 .512 19.0 Cincinnati 77 85 .475 25 Milwaukee 74 88 .457 28 Pittsburgh 69 93 .426 33

It was the 1998 season for baseball that featured the historical homerun chase between Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire. Would either of them be able to beat Roger Maris's homerun record, or would both? How many homeruns would they both finish with? Of course, Ken Griffey Jr. was also in the mix as well. When all was said and done, Griffey finished with 56 home runs, Sosa finished with 66, five more than Maris, but four short of McGwire, who sent the new mark, to be broken later by Barry Bonds, of 70 home runs.

It's easy to look back on it now and be sour about all of the steroids rumors and speculation about performance enhancing drugs. But at the time this was nothing but a feel good story and a feel good season. Sosa, with his 66 homeruns, 158 RBIs, and .308 batting average, and that huge smile, lit up Wrigley Field all season long. It was needed too, particularly after the unfortunate passing of Harry Caray in February of 1998 before the season began.

Of course, there was also another monumental moment in the 1998 season. Kerry Wood made his major league debut, and he struck out 20 batters against the Houston Astros on May 6th.
Mark Grace also had a fantastic season. The 1998 Chicago Cubs were able to avoid a tragic game against the Brewers in September where Brant Brown dropped a fly ball which would have given them the lead in the Wild Card, and spawned Ron Santo's "no, no, no" call. But the team still ended up clinching the Wild Card position and a postseason berth.

Needless to say, despite all of the great moments of the Chicago Cubs 1998 season, it wasn't to be in the postseason. The Cubs were swept out by the Atlanta Braves, including most sourly, a great outing by Greg Maddux. Sammy Sosa got just two hits in those three games, and didn't drive in any RBIs. The starting pitching by the Cubs was actually great, but the bullpen couldn't get it done, and none of the Cubs hitters could get it going against the likes of Maddux, John Smoltz and Odalis Perez.

NLDS GAME 1	R	H	E
CUBS	1	5	1
BRAVES	7	8	0

W: John Smoltz , L: Mark Clark Save - none

NLDS GAME 2	R	H	E
CUBS	1	4	1
BRAVES	2	6	0

WP - Odalis Perez, LP - Terry Mulholland; Save - none

NLDS GAME 3	R	H	E
BRAVES	6	9	0
CUBS	2	8	2

WP - Greg Maddux, LP - Kerry Wood; Save - none

Braves win series 3-0

1998 Chicago Cubs Team Photo

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