1998 Boston Red Sox season

The 1998 Boston Red Sox season was the 98th season in the franchise's Major League Baseball history. The Red Sox finished second in the American League East with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses, 22 games behind the New York Yankees, who went on to win the 1998 World Series. The Red Sox qualified for the postseason as the AL wild card, but lost to the American League Central champion Cleveland Indians in the ALDS.

Offseason

 * November 6, 1997: Jim Leyritz was traded by the Texas Rangers with Damon Buford to the Boston Red Sox for Mark Brandenburg, Bill Haselman, and Aaron Sele.
 * November 17, 1997: Bret Saberhagen was signed as a free agent with the Boston Red Sox.
 * November 18, 1997: Pedro Martínez was traded by the Montreal Expos to the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named later and Carl Pavano. The Boston Red Sox sent Tony Armas (December 18, 1997) to the Montreal Expos to complete the trade.
 * November 18, 1997: Jeff Suppan was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 1997 Major League Baseball expansion draft.
 * November 18, 1997: Jim Mecir was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 1997 Major League Baseball expansion draft.
 * November 21, 1997: Mike Benjamin was signed as a free agent with the Boston Red Sox.
 * March 19, 1998: Midre Cummings was selected off waivers by the Boston Red Sox from the Cincinnati Reds.

Notable transactions

 * June 2, 1998: Mark Teixeira was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 9th round of the 1998 amateur draft, but did not sign.
 * June 20, 1998: Jim Leyritz was traded by the Boston Red Sox with Ethan Faggett (minors) to the San Diego Padres for Carlos Reyes, Mandy Romero, and Darío Veras.
 * July 30, 1998: Pete Munro and Jay Yennaco were traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Mike Stanley.
 * July 31, 1998: Greg Swindell was traded by the Minnesota Twins with Orlando Merced to the Boston Red Sox for John Barnes, Matt Kinney, and Joe Thomas (minors).
 * August 6, 1998: Pete Schourek was purchased from the Houston Astros.

Starters by position
''Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; Avg. = Batting average; Slg. = Slugging average; SB = Stolen bases''

Other batters
''Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in, SB = Stolen bases''

Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Awards and honors

 * All-Star Game
 * Tom Gordon, reserve P
 * Pedro Martínez, reserve P
 * Mo Vaughn, reserve 1B (did not attend)

Game log

 * Reference:

Farm system
Source: