1998 New York Mets season

March 2026 November 2013 New York Mets 1998 New York Mets Insignia.svg National League East Shea Stadium New York 88 74 y 2nd Nelson Doubleday Jr., Fred Wilpon Steve Phillips Bobby Valentine WWOR-TV/Fox Sports New York(Ralph Kiner, Tim McCarver, Fran Healy, Howie Rose, Gary Thorne) WFAN (Bob Murphy, Gary Cohen, Ed Coleman)WADO (spanish)(Juan Alicea, Billy Berroa) The 1998 New York Mets season was the 37th regular season for the Mets. Like the previous season, they finished the season with a record of 88–74. Despite placing second in the National League East, the Mets fell one game short of playoff contention following a catastrophic collapse during the final week of the season, losing their final five games of the season. They were managed by Bobby Valentine. They played home games at Shea Stadium. Despite the collapse, the season is most remembered for the trade acquisition of All-Star and future Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza in May from the Florida Marlins (Piazza had been just traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Marlins a week earlier before his Mets trade). Upon the trade to New York, Piazza instantly became the team's best player and face of the franchise. Offseason November 24, 1997: John Olerud was signed as a free agent with the New York Mets.John Olerud Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com December 18, 1997: Dennis Cook was acquired from the Florida Marlins in exchange for Fletcher Bates and Scott Comer.http://ultimatemets.com/profile.php?PlayerCode=0585 Ultimate Mets Database - Dennis Cook February 6, 1998: Al Leiter and Ralph Milliard were acquired from the Florida Marlins in exchange for A. J. Burnett, Jesus Sanchez, and Robert Stratton.http://ultimatemets.com/profile.php?PlayerCode=0605 Ultimate Mets Database - al Leiter Regular season Despite their collapse toward the end of the season, the 1998 season was notable for the Mets due in large part to the acquisition of All-Star catcher Mike Piazza. The Mets were in need of a catcher due to an injury suffered by their own star catcher Todd Hundley, and took advantage of both Piazza's disagreement over a new contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the ongoing salary dumping by the defending World Series champion Florida Marlins; unable to negotiate a deal, the Dodgers traded Piazza to the Marlins, who turned around several days later and dealt Piazza to the Mets for outfield prospect Preston Wilson, among others. Piazza contributed a .348 average with 23 home runs and 76 RBI during his time with the Mets and once again was voted to the National League All-Star team. Hundley, meanwhile, attempted to make a move to left field when he rejoined the team, but it did not work. His tenure with the Mets ended when he was traded to the Dodgers after the season. John Olerud was again the hitting star for the Mets. He recorded a .354 average, the second best in all of baseball behind Larry Walker, and once again led the team with 93 RBI, to go with his 22 home runs. On the pitching side, another Marlins castoff made his presence felt as Al Leiter had his career best marks as a starter. Leiter won a career high seventeen games and added a 2.47 ERA. Rick Reed continued his career renaissance by adding sixteen wins of his own. Opening Day starters Edgardo Alfonzo Carlos Baerga Bernard Gilkey Butch Huskey Bobby Jones Brian McRae John Olerud Rey Ordóñez Tim Spehrhttp://baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/roster.php?y=1998&t=NYN 1998 New York Mets Roster by Baseball Almanac The Mets played an unforgettable opening day game at Shea Stadium on March 31 against their division rival Philadelphia Phillies. Both of them were involved in the longest scoreless opening day game in the National League and the longest one in MLB since 1926 when the Washington Senators beat the Philadelphia Athletics 1–0 in 15 innings.For Openers, Zilch Phils Fall in 14th Without a Run April 1, 1998 Jim Salisbury Philadelphia Inquirer E1https://www.nytimes.com/1998/04/01/sports/baseball-a-midsummer-classic-in-march-as-mets-nip-phillies.html?pagewanted=print A Midsummer Classic in March as Mets Nip Phillies April 1, 1998 Jason Diamos New York Times C1Mets edge Phillies 1-0 in 14 innings Tom Pedulla USA Today April 1, 1998 5C The Mets won the game 1–0 in 14 innings when backup catcher Alberto Castillo delivered a full-count, two-out, pinch-hit single to right with the bases loaded off Philadelphia closer Ricky Bottalico. This was the first regular season baseball game played in New York in March.Mets Take An Opener For the Ages April 1, 1998 George Vecsey New York Times C1 George Vecsey Notable transactions May 10, 1998: Steve Decker was signed as a free agent with the New York Mets.Steve Decker Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com May 22, 1998: Mike Piazza was traded by the Florida Marlins to the New York Mets for Preston Wilson, Ed Yarnall, and Geoff Goetz (minors). June 16, 1998: Rich Becker was selected off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles from the New York Mets.https://www.baseball-reference.com/b/beckeri01.shtml Rich Becker Stats July 3, 1998: Josías Manzanillo was signed as a free agent with the New York Mets.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/manzajo01.shtml Josias Manzanillo Stats July 31, 1998: Tony Phillips was traded by the Toronto Blue Jays to the New York Mets for Leo Estrella.Tony Phillips Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com July 31, 1998: Bill Pulsipher was traded by the New York Mets to the Milwaukee Brewers for Mike Kinkade.Bill Pulsipher Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com Season standings New York Mets Record vs. opponents NYM Game log LegendMets WinMets LossGame Postponed Eliminated from playoff spotBold = Mets team member New York Mets; 1998 Game LogOverall: 88–74 (Home: 47–34; Away: 41–40) y New York Mets; March/April: (13–12) Home: 8–7; Away: 5–5 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Location Attendance Record |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 1 || March 31 || Phillies || 1–0 (14) || Wendell (1–0) || Bottalico (0–1) || — || Shea Stadium || 49,142 || 1–0 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 2 || April 2 || Phillies || 5–6 || Portugal (1–0) || Leiter (0–1) || Bottalico (1) || Shea Stadium || 13,591 || 1–1 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 3 || April 3 || Pirates || 2–1 || McMichael (1–0) || Peters (0–1) || — || Shea Stadium || 15,245 || 2–1 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 4 || April 4 || Pirates || 7–6 (13) || Wendell (2–0) || Peters (0–2) || — || Shea Stadium || 17,633 || 3–1 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 5 || April 5 || Pirates || 7–0 || Yoshii (1–0) || Silva (0–1) || — || Shea Stadium || 18,205 || 4–1 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 6 || April 6 || Pirates || 2–4 || Cordova (2–0) || B. Jones (0–1) || Loiselle (2) || Shea Stadium || 13,528 || 4–2 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 7 || April 7 || @ Cubs || 3–2 || Leiter (1–1) || Gonzalez (0–1) || Franco (1) || Wrigley Field || 16,293 || 5–2 |- bgcolor="#ccc" | – || April 8 || @ Cubs || colspan=8|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for July 24 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 8 || April 9 || @ Cubs || 7–8 || Trachsel (2–0) || Reed (0–1) || Beck (5) || Wrigley Field || 17,313 || 5–3 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 9 || April 10 || @ Brewers || 3–5 || Juden (2–0) || Mlicki (0–1) || D. Jones (4) || County Stadium || 10,330 || 5–4 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 10 || April 11 || @ Brewers || 2–1 || Cook (1–0) || Wickman (0–3) || Franco (2) || County Stadium || 24,140 || 6–4 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 11 || April 12 || @ Brewers || 6–4 || Wendell (3–0) || P. Wagner (0–1) || Rojas (1) || County Stadium || 10,459 || 7–4 |- bgcolor="#ccc" | – || April 13 || @ Brewers || colspan=8|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for July 22 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 12 || April 14 || Cubs || 6–0 || Leiter (2–1) || Gonzalez (0–2) || — || Shea Stadium || 15,965 || 8–4 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 13 || April 15 || Cubs || 2–1 || Reed (1–1) || Trachsel (2–1) || Franco (3) || Shea Stadium || 16,012 || 9–4 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 14 || April 16 || Cubs || 4–8 || Tapani (3–1) || Mlicki (0–2) || — || Shea Stadium || 50,814 || 9–5 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 15 || April 17 || @ Reds || 3–4 || Remlinger (2–2) || B. Jones (0–2) || Shaw (5) || Cinergy Field || 21,384 || 9–6 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 16 || April 18 || @ Reds || 5–4 (10) || Rojas (1–0) || Belinda (0–2) || Franco (4) || Cinergy Field || 21,213 || 10–6 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 17 || April 19 || @ Reds || 14–0 || Leiter (3–1) || White (0–2) || — || Cinergy Field || 16,743 || 11–6 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 18 || April 21 || Astros || 0–6 || Hampton (4–0) || Reed (1–2) || — || Shea Stadium || 14,774 || 11–7 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 19 || April 22 || Astros || 10–7 || Cook (2–0) || Henry (1–1) || — || Shea Stadium || 12,772 || 12–7 |- bgcolor="#ccc" | – || April 23 || Astros || colspan=8|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for April 27 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 20 || April 24 || Reds || 3–2 || B. Jones (1–2) || Shaw (0–2) || Franco (5) || Shea Stadium || 15,546 || 13–7 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 21 || April 25 || Reds || 0–2 || Weathers (2–1) || Yoshii (1–1) || Shaw (7) || Shea Stadium || 22,652 || 13–8 |- bgcolor="#ccc" | – || April 26 || Reds || colspan=8|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for May 19 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 22 || April 27 || Astros || 3–4 || Nitkowski (1–1) || Franco (0–1) || B. Wagner (6) || Shea Stadium || 17,656 || 13–9 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 23 || April 28 || @ Astros || 3–4 (10) || Magnante (2–1) || Hudek (0–1) || — || Astrodome || 14,943 || 13–10 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 24 || April 29 || @ Astros || 1–6 || Lima (4–1) || Mlicki (0–3) || — || Astrodome || 14,448 || 13–11 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 25 || April 30 || Rockies || 0–4 || Kile (3–3) || B. Jones (1–3) || — || Shea Stadium || 12,599 || 13–12 |- y New York Mets; May: (18–8) Home: 11–3; Away: 7–5 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Location Attendance Record |- bgcolor="#ccc" | – || May 1 || Rockies || colspan=8|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for August 18 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 26 || May 2 || Rockies || 3–7 || Leskanic (2–3) || Cook (2–1) || — || Shea Stadium || 19,968 || 13–13 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 27 || May 3 || Rockies || 5–2 || Reed (2–2) || Astacio (2–4) || — || Shea Stadium || 19,493 || 14–13 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 28 || May 4 || Diamondbacks || 2–4 (11) || Olson (1–1) || Bohanon (0–1) || — || Shea Stadium || 18,980 || 14–14 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 29 || May 5 || Diamondbacks || 9–1 || Mlicki (1–3) || Daal (0–2) || — || Shea Stadium || 13,205 || 15–14 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 30 || May 6 || Diamondbacks || 8–2 || Rojas (2–0) || Sodowsky (1–2) || — || Shea Stadium || 17,681 || 16–14 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 31 || May 7 || Cardinals || 4–1 || Yoshii (2–1) || Osborne (1–2) || Franco (6) || Shea Stadium || 14,715 || 17–14 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 32 || May 8 || Cardinals || 9–2 || Reed (3–2) || Politte (2–2) || — || Shea Stadium || 16,132 || 18–14 |- bgcolor="#ccc" | – || May 9 || Cardinals || colspan=8|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for August 20 |- bgcolor="#ccc" | – || May 10 || Cardinals || colspan=8|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for August 21 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 33 || May 11 || @ Padres || 1–2 || Brown (3–2) || Leiter (3–2) || Hoffman (10) || Qualcomm Stadium || 15,291 || 18–15 |- bgcolor="#ccc" | – || May 12 || @ Padres || colspan=8|Postponed (rain); rescheduled for May 14 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 34 || May 13 || @ Padres || 4–3 || Jones (2–3) || Hamilton (3–3) || Franco (7) || Qualcomm Stadium || 14,929 || 19–15 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 35 || May 14 (1) || @ Padres || 1–3 || Boehringer (4–1) || Cook (2–2) || Hoffman (11) || Qualcomm Stadium || N/A || 19–16 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 36 || May 14 (2) || @ Padres || 2–6 || Miceli (3–1) || McMichael (1–1) || — || Qualcomm Stadium || 26,488 || 19–17 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 37 || May 15 || @ Giants || 2–3 || Hershiser (2–3) || McMichael (1–2) || Nen (8) || 3Com Park || 14,678 || 19–18 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 38 || May 16 || @ Giants || 4–1 || Reed (4–2) || Rueter (4–3) || Franco (8) || 3Com Park || 30,131 || 20–18 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 39 || May 17 || @ Giants || 2–4 || Gardner (3–2) || Leiter (3–3) || Nen (9) || 3Com Park || 24,408 || 20–19 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 40 || May 19 (1) || Reds || 7–3 || Jones (3–3) || Tomko (5–2) || — || Shea Stadium || N/A || 21–19 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 41 || May 19 (2) || Reds || 5–3 || Bohanon (1–1) || Winchester (2–2) || Franco (9) || Shea Stadium || 15,558 || 22–19 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 42 || May 20 || Reds || 6–8 || Harnisch (4–0) || Hudek (0–2) || Shaw (14) || Shea Stadium || 12,834 || 22–20 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 43 || May 21 || Reds || 6–1 || Yoshii (3–1) || Hutton (0–1) || — || Shea Stadium || 13,766 || 23–20 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 44 || May 22 || Brewers || 3–2 || Reed (5–2) || Woodall (0–2) || Franco (10) || Shea Stadium || 22,307 || 24–20 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 45 || May 23 || Brewers || 3–0 || Leiter (4–3) || Juden (5–3) || — || Shea Stadium || 32,908 || 25–20 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 46 || May 24 || Brewers || 8–3 || Jones (4–3) || Eldred (0–4) || — || Shea Stadium || 47,291 || 26–20 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 47 || May 26 || @ Marlins || 10–6 || Bohanon (2–1) || Larkin (2–5) || — || Pro Player Stadium || 14,760 || 27–20 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 48 || May 27 || @ Marlins || 8–2 || Yoshii (4–1) || Meadows (4–5) || — || Pro Player Stadium || 15,854 || 28–20 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 49 || May 29 || @ Phillies || 11–0 || Reed (6–2) || Beech (1–3) || — || Veterans Stadium || 21,567 || 29–20 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 50 || May 30 || @ Phillies || 6–4 || Leiter (5–3) || Green (3–4) || Franco (11) || Veterans Stadium || 30,660 || 30–20 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 51 || May 31 || @ Phillies || 8–6 || Rojas (3–0) || Winston (2–1) || Franco (12) || Veterans Stadium || 23,025 || 31–20 |- y New York Mets; June: (12–15) Home: 6–5; Away: 6–10 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Location Attendance Record |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 52 || June 1 || @ Pirates || 3–4 || Schmidt (8–1) || Mlicki (1–4) || Rincon (4) || Three Rivers Stadium || 11,274 || 31–21 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 53 || June 2 || @ Pirates || 2–5 || Peters (1–3) || Bohanon (2–2) || Rincon (5) || Three Rivers Stadium || 9,040 || 31–22 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 54 || June 3 || @ Pirates || 0–3 || Lieber (3–7) || Reed (6–3) || Christiansen (1) || Three Rivers Stadium || 17,691 || 31–23 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 55 || June 5 || @ Red Sox || 9–2 || Leiter (6–3) || Martinez (6–2) || — || Fenway Park || 32,214 || 32–23 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 56 || June 6 || @ Red Sox || 1–0 || Jones (5–3) || Wakefield (6–3) || Franco (13) || Fenway Park || 32,545 || 33–23 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 57 || June 7 || @ Red Sox || 0–5 || Avery (3–1) || Yoshii (4–2) || — || Fenway Park || 30,630 || 33–24 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 58 || June 8 || Devil Rays || 3–0 || Reed (7–3) || Springer (2–10) || — || Shea Stadium || 24,186 || 34–24 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 59 || June 9 || Devil Rays || 4–5 (11) || Mecir (2–0) || Hudek (0–3) || R. Hernandez (12) || Shea Stadium || 30,336 || 34–25 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 60 || June 10 || Devil Rays || 3–2 || Leiter (7–3) || White (0–3) || Rojas (2) || Shea Stadium || 21,682 || 35–25 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 61 || June 11 || @ Marlins || 5–3 || Jones (6–3) || Sanchez (3–3) || Franco (14) || Pro Player Stadium || 14,003 || 36–25 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 62 || June 12 || @ Marlins || 3–4 || Mantei (1–0) || Bohanon (2–3) || — || Pro Player Stadium || 35,652 || 36–26 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 63 || June 13 || @ Marlins || 7–4 || Reed (8–3) || Meadows (4–6) || Franco (15) || Pro Player Stadium || 31,887 || 37–26 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 64 || June 14 || @ Marlins || 4–5 || Mantei (2–0) || Hudek (0–4) || — || Pro Player Stadium || 23,924 || 37–27 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 65 || June 16 || @ Expos || 2–0 || Leiter (8–3) || Hermanson (4–6) || — || Olympic Stadium || 12,662 || 38–27 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 66 || June 17 || @ Expos || 4–5 || Urbina (4–2) || Rojas (3–1) || — || Olympic Stadium || 7,606 || 38–28 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 67 || June 18 || @ Expos || 6–7 || Bennett (2–3) || Yoshii (4–3) || Urbina (17) || Olympic Stadium || 8,788 || 38–29 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 68 || June 19 || Marlins || 2–3 || Meadows (5–6) || Reed (8–4) || Mantei (1) || Shea Stadium || 32,738 || 38–30 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 69 || June 20 || Marlins || 3–8 || L. Hernandez (5–4) || Nomo (2–8) || — || Shea Stadium || 44,355 || 38–31 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 70 || June 21 || Marlins || 3–2 || Leiter (9–3) || Fontenot (0–5) || Franco (16) || Shea Stadium || 30,673 || 39–31 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 71 || June 22 || @ Orioles || 2–7 || Mussina (6–4) || Jones (6–4) || — || Oriole Park at Camden Yards || 45,535 || 39–32 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 72 || June 23 || @ Orioles || 6–3 || Hudek (1–4) || Rhodes (3–3) || Franco (17) || Oriole Park at Camden Yards || 46,385 || 40–32 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 73 || June 24 || Orioles || 6–3 || Reed (9–4) || Smith (3–4) || Franco (18) || Shea Stadium || 29,789 || 41–32 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 74 || June 25 || Orioles || 3–2 || Cook (3–2) || Benitez (2–2) || — || Shea Stadium || 35,156 || 42–32 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 75 || June 26 || Yankees || 4–8 || Mendoza (5–1) || Leiter (9–4) || Rivera (19) || Shea Stadium || 53,404 || 42–33 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 76 || June 27 || Yankees || 2–7 || Pettitte (9–5) || Jones (6–5) || — || Shea Stadium || 53,587 || 42–34 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 77 || June 28 || Yankees || 2–1 || Cook (4–2) || Mendoza (5–2) || — || Shea Stadium || 53,749 || 43–34 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 78 || June 30 || @ Blue Jays || 3–6 || Clemens (9–6) || Reed (9–5) || — || SkyDome || 30,322 || 43–35 |- y New York Mets; July: (13–15) Home: 7–9; Away: 6–6 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Location Attendance Record |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 79 || July 1 || @ Blue Jays || 10–15 || Plesac (3–2) || Rojas (3–2) || — || SkyDome || 37,252 || 43–36 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 80 || July 2 || @ Blue Jays || 9–1 || Jones (7–5) || Hentgen (9–5) || — || SkyDome || 27,325 || 44–36 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 81 || July 3 || @ Braves || 2–3 || Glavine (12–3) || Bohanon (2–4) || Ligtenberg (9) || Turner Field || 48,757 || 44–37 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 82 || July 4 || @ Braves || 1–4 || Millwood (10–4) || Yoshii (4–4) || — || Turner Field || 47,900 || 44–38 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 83 || July 5 || @ Braves || 2–3 (11) || Seanez (1–0) || Franco (0–2) || — || Turner Field || 40,430 || 44–39 |- bgcolor="#bbcaff" | colspan=10 | 69th All-Star Game in Denver, Colorado |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 84 || July 9 || Expos || 8–9 (11) || Maddux (2–2) || Franco (0–3) || Urbina (21) || Shea Stadium || 27,193 || 44–40 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 85 || July 10 || Expos || 6–8 || Bennett (3–3) || Franco (0–4) || Urbina (22) || Shea Stadium || 36,538 || 44–41 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 86 || July 11 || Expos || 8–4 || Reed (10–5) || Pavano (2–3) || — || Shea Stadium || 48,006 || 45–41 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 87 || July 12 || Expos || 5–2 || Tam (1–0) || Vazquez (3–7) || Cook (1) || Shea Stadium || 51,568 || 46–41 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 88 || July 14 || Braves || 2–4 || Smoltz (7–2) || Jones (7–6) || Ligtenberg (11) || Shea Stadium || 38,000 || 46–42 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 89 || July 15 || Braves || 1–12 || Neagle (10–7) || Yoshii (4–5) || — || Shea Stadium || 41,347 || 46–43 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 90 || July 16 || Phillies || 2–4 || Portugal (5–2) || Reed (10–6) || M. Leiter (20) || Shea Stadium || 20,283 || 46–44 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 91 || July 17 || Phillies || 6–0 || Nomo (3–8) || Loewer (4–2) || — || Shea Stadium || 23,298 || 47–44 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 92 || July 18 || Phillies || 7–0 || A. Leiter (10–4) || Green (6–6) || — || Shea Stadium || 37,208 || 48–44 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 93 || July 19 || Phillies || 6–7 (10) || M. Leiter (3–7) || Cook (4–3) || — || Shea Stadium || 29,520 || 48–45 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 94 || July 20 || Pirates || 1–3 || Cordova (8–8) || Yoshii (4–6) || Rincon (11) || Shea Stadium || 18,088 || 48–46 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 95 || July 21 || Pirates || 4–0 || Reed (11–6) || Schmidt (8–7) || — || Shea Stadium || 22,844 || 49–46 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 96 || July 22 (1) || @ Brewers || 7–5 || Cook (5–3) || Wickman (3–6) || Franco (19) || County Stadium || N/A || 50–46 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 97 || July 22 (2) || @ Brewers || 6–1 || Nomo (4–8) || Patrick (4–1) || — || County Stadium || 23,920 || 51–46 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 98 || July 23 || @ Brewers || 6–5 || McMichael (2–3) || Myers (2–2) || Franco (20) || County Stadium || 27,046 || 52–46 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 99 || July 24 (1) || @ Cubs || 5–0 || Reynoso (1–0) || Gonzalez (7–7) || — || Wrigley Field || N/A || 53–46 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 100 || July 24 (2) || @ Cubs || 7–3 || Cook (6–3) || Adams (7–6) || — || Wrigley Field || 40,684 || 54–46 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 101 || July 25 || @ Cubs || 2–3 || Tapani (12–6) || Franco (0–5) || Beck (30) || Wrigley Field || 40,436 || 54–47 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 102 || July 26 || @ Cubs || 1–3 || Wood (10–5) || Reed (11–7) || Beck (31) || Wrigley Field || 40,329 || 54–48 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 103 || July 28 || Padres || 7–3 || Nomo (5–8) || Ashby (14–6) || McMichael (2) || Shea Stadium || 21,005 || 55–48 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 104 || July 29 || Padres || 7–6 || Rojas (4–2) || Wall (4–3) || Franco (21) || Shea Stadium || 23,694 || 56–48 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 105 || July 30 || Padres || 1–3 (10) || Miceli (8–4) || Cook (6–4) || Hoffman (34) || Shea Stadium || 22,882 || 56–49 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 106 || July 31 || Dodgers || 3–4 || Osuna (6–0) || Franco (0–6) || Shaw (32) || Shea Stadium || 49,407 || 56–50 |- y New York Mets; August: (20–12) Home: 10–6; Away: 10–6 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Location Attendance Record |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 107 || August 1 || Dodgers || 2–1 || Reed (12–7) || Shaw (2–5) || — || Shea Stadium || 42,224 || 57–50 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 108 || August 2 || Dodgers || 9–3 || Reynoso (2–0) || Bohanon (4–7) || — || Shea Stadium || 33,843 || 58–50 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 109 || August 3 || Dodgers || 5–8 || Mlicki (6–5) || McMichael (2–4) || Shaw (33) || Shea Stadium || 24,416 || 58–51 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 110 || August 4 || Giants || 7–6 (10) || Cook (7–4) || Mesa (5–5) || — || Shea Stadium || 32,943 || 59–51 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 111 || August 5 || Giants || 4–6 || Ortiz (1–1) || B. J. Jones (7–7) || Nen (29) || Shea Stadium || 35,571 || 59–52 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 112 || August 6 || Giants || 9–8 || Wendell (4–0) || Nen (7–3) || — || Shea Stadium || 36,920 || 60–52 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 113 || August 7 || @ Rockies || 8–7 || Reed (13–7) || Astacio (10–11) || Franco (22) || Coors Field || 48,365 || 61–52 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 114 || August 8 || @ Rockies || 4–3 || Reynoso (3–0) || B. M. Jones (5–5) || Franco (23) || Coors Field || 48,312 || 62–52 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 115 || August 9 || @ Rockies || 4–11 || Kile (8–14) || Nomo (5–9) || — || Coors Field || 48,014 || 62–53 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 116 || August 10 || @ Cardinals || 4–2 || Leiter (11–4) || Morris (3–2) || Franco (24) || Busch Stadium || 41,252 || 63–53 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 117 || August 11 || @ Cardinals || 8–3 || B. J. Jones (8–7) || Mercker (8–9) || — || Busch Stadium || 34,489 || 64–53 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 118 || August 12 || @ Cardinals || 4–5 (14) || Frascatore (2–3) || Franco (0–7) || — || Busch Stadium || 34,260 || 64–54 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 119 || August 14 || @ Diamondbacks || 3–2 || Reed (14–7) || Telemaco (4–7) || Wendell (1) || Bank One Ballpark || 47,562 || 65–54 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 120 || August 15 || @ Diamondbacks || 5–4 || Reynoso (4–0) || Chouinard (0–2) || Franco (25) || Bank One Ballpark || 48,307 || 66–54 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 121 || August 16 || @ Diamondbacks || 1–6 || Daal (6–7) || Nomo (5–10) || — || Bank One Ballpark || 44,537 || 66–55 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 122 || August 18 (1) || Rockies || 6–2 || Leiter (12–4) || Astacio (11–12) || — || Shea Stadium || N/A || 67–55 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 123 || August 18 (2) || Rockies || 6–3 || Rojas (5–2) || McElroy (4–3) || Franco (26) || Shea Stadium || 21,611 || 68–55 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 124 || August 19 || Rockies || 2–1 || Yoshii (5–6) || B. M. Jones (5–7) || Franco (27) || Shea Stadium || 19,395 || 69–55 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 125 || August 20 (1) || Cardinals || 0–2 || Osborne (3–2) || Blair (4–16) || Acevedo (3) || Shea Stadium || N/A || 69–56 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 126 || August 20 (2) || Cardinals || 5–4 || Reed (15–7) || Oliver (7–9) || Wendell (2) || Shea Stadium || 45,308 || 70–56 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 127 || August 21 (1) || Cardinals || 5–10 || Morris (4–3) || Nomo (5–11) || — || Shea Stadium || N/A || 70–57 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 128 || August 21 (2) || Cardinals || 1–0 || Reynoso (5–0) || Aybar (3–6) || Franco (28) || Shea Stadium || 52,320 || 71–57 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 129 || August 22 || Diamondbacks || 9–4 || B. J. Jones (9–7) || Benes (11–12) || — || Shea Stadium || 42,654 || 72–57 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 130 || August 23 || Diamondbacks || 3–4 || Anderson (9–12) || Leiter (12–5) || Olson (22) || Shea Stadium || 36,039 || 72–58 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 131 || August 24 || Diamondbacks || 5–9 || Telemaco (5–8) || Yoshii (5–7) || Banks (1) || Shea Stadium || 29,850 || 72–59 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 132 || August 25 || @ Giants || 3–7 || Ortiz (2–3) || Reed (15–8) || — || 3Com Park || 20,916 || 72–60 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 133 || August 26 || @ Giants || 4–1 || Nomo (6–11) || Hershiser (9–9) || — || 3Com Park || 18,227 || 73–60 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 134 || August 27 || @ Giants || 3–11 || Darwin (8–10) || Reynoso (5–1) || — || 3Com Park || 17,823 || 73–61 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 135 || August 28 || @ Dodgers || 5–4 (10) || Cook (8–4) || Shaw (3–7) || Franco (29) || Dodger Stadium || 52,154 || 74–61 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 136 || August 29 || @ Dodgers || 4–3 || Leiter (13–5) || Shaw (3–8) || Franco (30) || Dodger Stadium || 49,181 || 75–61 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 137 || August 30 || @ Dodgers || 2–4 || Mlicki (8–6) || Yoshii (5–8) || — || Dodger Stadium || 44,746 || 75–62 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 138 || August 31 || @ Dodgers || 8–3 || Reed (16–8) || Park (11–8) || — || Dodger Stadium || 37,806 || 76–62 |- y New York Mets; September: (12–12) Home: 5–4; Away: 7–8 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Location Attendance Record |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 139 || September 1 || @ Padres || 8–9 || Myers (2–2) || Wendell (4–1) || Hoffman (45) || Qualcomm Stadium || 18,489 || 76–63 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 140 || September 2 || @ Padres || 4–1 || Reynoso (6–1) || Ashby (16–7) || Franco (31) || Qualcomm Stadium || 17,565 || 77–63 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 141 || September 4 || Braves || 2–1 || Leiter (14–5) || Glavine (18–6) || — || Shea Stadium || 34,617 || 78–63 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 142 || September 5 || Braves || 5–4 || Wendell (5–1) || Seanez (4–1) || Franco (32) || Shea Stadium || 43,573 || 79–63 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 143 || September 6 || Braves || 0–4 || Smoltz (14–3) || Reed (16–9) || — || Shea Stadium || 40,311 || 79–64 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 144 || September 7 || Braves || 8–7 || McMichael (3–4) || Rocker (1–2) || Franco (33) || Shea Stadium || 22,953 || 80–64 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 145 || September 8 || @ Phillies || 4–16 || Byrd (3–2) || Nomo (6–12) || — || Veterans Stadium || 18,661 || 80–65 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 146 || September 9 || @ Phillies || 6–2 || Reynoso (7–1) || Schilling (14–13) || Franco (34) || Veterans Stadium || 16,193 || 81–65 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 147 || September 10 || @ Phillies || 7–5 || Leiter (15–5) || Green (6–10) || Franco (35) || Veterans Stadium || 16,715 || 82–65 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 148 || September 11 || @ Expos || 1–5 || Pavano (5–8) || Jones (9–8) || Urbina (30) || Olympic Stadium || 10,584 || 82–66 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 149 || September 12 || @ Expos || 3–5 || M. Maddux (3–3) || Reed (16–10) || Urbina (31) || Olympic Stadium || 22,047 || 82–67 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 150 || September 13 || @ Expos || 1–0 || Blair (5–16) || Telford (3–6) || Franco (36) || Olympic Stadium || 15,152 || 83–67 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 151 || September 14 || @ Astros || 7–4 (13) || McMichael (4–4) || Magnante (4–7) || Franco (37) || Astrodome || 24,241 || 84–67 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 152 || September 15 (1) || @ Astros || 5–6 (12) || Powell (7–5) || Tam (1–1) || — || Astrodome || N/A || 84–68 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 153 || September 15 (2) || @ Astros || 8–4 || Leiter (16–5) || Powell (7–6) || Wendell (3) || Astrodome || 40,835 || 85–68 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 154 || September 16 || @ Astros || 4–3 (11) || McMichael (5–4) || Bergman (12–9) || Wendell (4) || Astrodome || 24,269 || 86–68 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 155 || September 18 || Marlins || 6–7 || Edmondson (4–4) || Franco (0–8) || Mantei (9) || Shea Stadium || 34,862 || 86–69 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 156 || September 19 || Marlins || 4–3 || Yoshii (6–8) || Sanchez (7–9) || Franco (38) || Shea Stadium || 52,062 || 87–69 |- bgcolor="#cfc" | 157 || September 20 || Marlins || 5–0 || Leiter (17–5) || Meadows (10–13) || — || Shea Stadium || 52,767 || 88–69 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 158 || September 22 || Expos || 3–5 || Thurman (4–5) || Reynoso (7–2) || Urbina (33) || Shea Stadium || 32,467 || 88–70 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 159 || September 23 || Expos || 0–3 || Pavano (6–8) || Jones (9–9) || Urbina (34) || Shea Stadium || 29,728 || 88–71 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 160 || September 25 || @ Braves || 5–6 || Martínez (4–6) || Reed (16–11) || Rocker (2) || Turner Field || 48,443 || 88–72 |- bgcolor="#fcc" | 161 || September 26 || @ Braves || 0–4 || Neagle (16–11) || Leiter (17–6) || — || Turner Field || 48,117 || 88–73 |- style="background:#933;color:#fff" | 162 || September 27 || @ Braves || 2–7 || G. Maddux (18–9) || Reynoso (7–3) || — || Turner Field || 48,685 || 88–74 |- Roster 1998 New York Mets Roster Pitchers 43 Rigo Beltrán 46 Willie Blair 46 Brian Bohanon 49 Brad Clontz 27 Dennis Cook 31,45 John Franco 43 John Hudek 28 Bobby Jones 22 Al Leiter 36 Greg McMichael 38 Dave Mlicki 16 Hideo Nomo 21 Bill Pulsipher 35 Rick Reed 40 Armando Reynoso 51 Mel Rojas 36,38 Jeff Tam 99 Turk Wendell 21,29 Masato Yoshii Catchers 30 Alberto Castillo 12 Jorge Fábregas 31 Mike Piazza  7 Todd Pratt 33 Tim Spehr 39 Rick Wilkins Infielders 13 Edgardo Alfonzo  8 Carlos Baerga 15 Matt Franco 12 Shawn Gilbert 18 Todd Haney 33 Mike Kinkade 17 Luis López 26 Ralph Milliard  5 John Olerud 10 Rey Ordóñez 18 Craig Paquette 19 Jim Tatum Outfielders 39 Benny Agbayani 23 Jermaine Allensworth  6 Rich Becker 23 Bernard Gilkey 19 Lenny Harris  9 Todd Hundley 42 Butch Huskey 11 Wayne Kirby 56 Brian McRae 25 Jay Payton  6 Tony Phillips 11 Preston Wilson Manager  2 Bobby Valentine Coaches 34 Bob Apodaca (pitching) 20 Bruce Benedict (bench) 52 Randy Niemann (bullpen) 79 Koji Nagai (bullpen catcher) 53 Tom Robson (hitting)  4 Cookie Rojas (third base)  1 Mookie Wilson (first base) Player stats Batting Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Pos Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI C Mike Piazza 109 394 137 .348 23 76 1B John Olerud 160 557 197 .354 22 93 2B Carlos Baerga 147 511 136 .266 7 53 SS Rey Ordóñez 153 505 124 .246 1 42 3B Edgardo Alfonso 144 557 155 .278 17 78 LF Bernard Gilkey 82 264 60 .227 4 28 CF Brian McRae 159 552 146 .264 21 79 RF Butch Huskey 113 369 93 .252 13 59 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 Luis López 117 266 67 .252 2 22 Tony Phillips 52 188 42 .223 3 14 Lenny Harris 75 168 39 .232 6 17 Matt Franco 103 161 44 .273 1 13 Todd Hundley 53 124 20 .161 3 12 Rich Becker 49 100 19 .190 3 10 Alberto Castillo 38 83 17 .205 2 7 Todd Pratt 41 69 19 .275 2 18 Jermaine Allensworth 34 54 11 .204 2 4 Tim Spehr 21 51 7 .137 0 3 Jim Tatum Jim Tatum (baseball) 35 50 9 .180 2 13 Jorge Fábregas 20 32 6 .188 1 5 Wayne Kirby 26 31 6 .194 0 0 Jay Payton 15 22 7 .218 0 0 Preston Wilson 8 20 6 .300 0 2 Craig Paquette 7 19 5 .263 0 0 Rick Wilkins 5 15 2 .133 0 1 Benny Agbayani 11 15 2 .133 0 0 Todd Haney 3 3 0 .000 0 0 Shawn Gilbert 3 3 0 .000 0 0 Mike Kinkade 3 2 0 .000 0 0 Ralph Milliard 10 1 0 .000 0 0 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 Rick Reed 31 212.1 16 11 3.48 153 Bobby Jones 30 195.1 9 9 4.05 115 Al Leiter 28 193.0 17 6 2.47 174 Masato Yoshii 29 171.2 6 8 3.93 117 Hideo Nomo 17 89.2 4 5 4.82 94 Armando Reynoso 11 68.1 7 3 3.82 40 Dave Mlicki 10 57.0 1 4 5.68 39 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 Brian Bohanon 25 54.1 2 4 3.15 39 Willie Blair 11 28.2 1 1 3.14 21 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 John Franco 61 0 8 38 3.62 59 Dennis Cook 73 8 4 1 2.38 79 Turk Wendell 66 5 1 4 2.93 58 Greg McMichael 52 5 3 1 4.02 44 Mel Rojas 50 5 2 2 6.05 41 John Hudek 28 1 4 0 4.00 28 Bill Pulsipher 15 0 0 0 6.91 13 Jeff Tam 15 1 1 0 6.23 8 Rigo Beltrán 7 0 0 0 3.38 5 Brad Clontz 2 0 0 0 9.00 2 Awards and honors All-Star Game Mike Piazza, Catcher, Starter Rick Reed, Pitcher, Reserve Farm system Minor League Baseball AAA Norfolk Tides International League Rick Dempsey AA Binghamton Mets Eastern League John Gibbons A St. Lucie Mets Florida State League Howie Freiling A Capital City Bombers South Atlantic League Doug Davis A-Short Season Pittsfield Mets New York–Penn League Roger LaFrançois Rookie Kingsport Mets Appalachian League Tim Foli Rookie GCL Mets Gulf Coast League John StephensonLEAGUE CHAMPIONS: St. Lucie, Capital CityJohnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3rd edition. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007 References External links 1998 New York Mets at Baseball Reference 1998 New York Mets team page at www.baseball-almanac.com Category:New York Mets seasons New York Mets New York Mets Category:1990s in Queens