The 1998 Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...

 season was the Diamondbacks' inaugural season. They looked to contend in what was a strong National League Western Division

National League West

The National League Western Division, or NL West, is one of the three divisions of Major League Baseball's National League. It was created in 1969 when the previously undivided National League expanded its membership to twelve teams, positioning half of them in an Eastern division and the other...

. They finished the season with a record of 65-97, last in the division. However, they would improve in 1999, finishing with a record of 100-62 and winning 35 games more than the previous year.

With the retirement of Russ Springer

Russ Springer

Russell Paul Springer is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Springer made his major league debut on April 17, , with the New York Yankees. He also pitched for the California Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros, St...

, Jeff Suppan

Jeff Suppan

Jeffrey Scot Suppan , is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-Baseball career:Suppan was drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox in the second round of the 1993 amateur draft, and rapidly ascended to the Majors making his debut at the age of 20...

 is the last player from the inaugural team still active in Major League Baseball (as of the season).

Offseason

• February 7, 1997: Mark Davis was signed as a Free Agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
• August 14, 1997: Mark Davis was sent to the Milwaukee Brewers by the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of a conditional deal.
• November 17, 1997: Jay Bell signed as a Free Agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
• November 18, 1997: Devon White was traded by the Florida Marlins to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Jesus Martinez (minors).
• November 18, 1997: Travis Fryman was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Gabe Alvarez, Joe Randa, and Matt Drews (minors).
• December 1, 1997: Matt Williams was traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Travis Fryman, Tom Martin, and cash.
• January 8, 1998: Andy Stankiewicz
  Andy Stankiewicz
  Andrew Neal Stankiewicz in Inglewood, California, U.S. is a retired Major League Baseball middle-infielder, presently minor league field coordinator for the Seattle Mariners...
  
   signed as a Free Agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
• January 11, 1998: Mark Davis was signed as a Free Agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Round 1

Pick	Player	Position	From	To
2	Brian Anderson Brian Anderson (pitcher) Brian James Anderson is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher, who played 13 season for five teams, as well as a sports broadcaster and coach. Currently, Anderson is the color commentator on the Rays TV crew on Sun Sports....	LHP	Cle Cleveland Indians The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...	Ari
3	Jeff Suppan Jeff Suppan Jeffrey Scot Suppan , is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-Baseball career:Suppan was drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox in the second round of the 1993 amateur draft, and rapidly ascended to the Majors making his debut at the age of 20...	RHP	Bos Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...	Ari
5	Gabe Alvarez Gabe Alvarez Gabriel de Jesus Alvarez was a Major League Baseball third baseman. He played for two teams, the Detroit Tigers and the San Diego Padres . The 6'1, 205 lb right-hander went to USC and made his Major League debut on June 22, 1998, going 1-4.He was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in...	3B Third baseman A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...	SD San Diego Padres The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...	Ari
7	Jorge Fábregas Jorge Fabregas Jorge Fábregas is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for eight teams during a nine-year major league career. He is an alumnus of the University of Miami....	C Catcher Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...	CWS Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...	Ari
9	Karim García Karim García Gustavo Karim García Aguayo is an outfielder with the Hanhwa Eagles of the Korean Baseball Organization. García bats and throws left-handed, and has been nicknamed "The Latino Bambino."-Early years:...	OF	LA Los Angeles Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...	Ari
11	Edwin Diaz Edwin Diaz Edwin Rosario Díaz is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. He started as the second baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks in their inaugural regular season game. He finished his career with 2 hits in 7 games.-External links:total bullshi!!!...	IF Infielder An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...	Tex Texas Rangers (baseball) The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...	Ari
13	Cory Lidle Cory Lidle Cory Fulton Lidle was an Americanright-handed baseball pitcher who spent nine seasons in the major leagues with seven different teams. His twin brother Kevin Lidle also played baseball, as a catcher for several minor league teams...	RHP	NYM New York Mets The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...	Ari
15	Joel Adamson Joel Adamson Joel Adamson is a former left-handed pitcher, who last played for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also played for the Florida Marlins and the Milwaukee Brewers in his career....	LHP	Mil Milwaukee Brewers The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...	Ari
17	Ben Ford	RHP	NYY New York Yankees The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...	Ari
19	Yamil Benitez Yamil Benítez Yamil Antonio Benítez is a former right-handed outfielder, who last played for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also played for the Montreal Expos and the Kansas City Royals in his career....	OF	KC Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...	Ari
21	Neil Weber Neil Weber Neil Weber is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Weber played for the Arizona Diamondbacks in . In four career games, he had a 0-0 record with a 11.57 ERA. He batted and threw left-handed....	LHP	Mon Montreal Expos The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...	Ari
23	Jason Boyd Jason Boyd (baseball) Jason Pernell Boyd, born February 23, 1973 in St. Clair, Illinois, is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. Boyd played for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Philadelphia Phillies , San Diego Padres , and Cleveland Indians .-External links:...	RHP	Phi Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...	Ari
25	Brent Brede Brent Brede Brent David Brede is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 5th round of the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft, Brede made his MLB debut with the Twins on September 8,...	OF	Min Minnesota Twins The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...	Ari
27	Tony Batista Tony Batista Leocadio Francisco "Tony" Batista is a former Major League Baseball infielder who is currently a free agent. He played in the major leagues from to and to , and with the Softbank Hawks of the Japanese Pacific League in .-Career:...	IF	Oak Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....	Ari

Round 2

Pick	Player	Position	From	To
29	Tom Martin	LHP	Hou	Ari
31	Omar Daal Omar Daal Omar Jesús Daal Cordero is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for 11 seasons, from through . Daal played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Montreal Expos , Toronto Blue Jays , Arizona Diamondbacks , Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles...	LHP	Tor	Ari
33	Scott Winchester Scott Winchester Scott Joseph Winchester is an American former Major League Baseball player. A pitcher, Winchester played for the Cincinnati Reds from to . He last played professional baseball in with the Las Vegas 51s....	RHP	Cin	Ari
35	Clint Sodowsky Clint Sodowsky Clint Rea Sodowsky is a former Major League Baseball player.Sodowsky, a right-handed pitcher, was originally drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the ninth round of the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft, Sodowsky would make his Major League Baseball debut with the Detroit Tigers on September 4, , and...	RHP	Pit	Ari
37	Danny Klassen Danny Klassen Daniel Victor Klassen is an infielder who is currently a free agent. He previously played for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Detroit Tigers....	IF	Mil	Ari
39	Matt Drews Matt Drews Matthew Ross Drews is a former a minor league baseball pitcher.-Career:Drews played high school baseball at Sarasota High School, where he had a 10-2 win-loss record with a 1.27 earned run average his senior high year, with 125 strikeouts in 88 innings pitched...	RHP	Det	Ari
41	Todd Erdos Todd Erdos Todd Michael Erdos is a former middle-relief pitcher. In high school he played for Meadville Area Senior High and was a very effective pitcher...	RHP	SD	Ari
43	Chris Clemons Chris Clemons (baseball) Christopher Hale Clemons is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for one season at the major league level for the Chicago White Sox. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 1st round of the 1994 amateur draft...	RHP	CWS	Ari
45	David Dellucci David Dellucci David Michael Dellucci is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder.-High School:Dellucci graduated from Catholic High in Baton Rouge in 1991. He earned the team's Most Valuable Player honors in both baseball and football, and All-State honors for baseball...	OF	Bal	Ari
47	Damian Miller Damian Miller Damian Donald Miller is a former Major League Baseball catcher who last played for the Milwaukee Brewers.-High school years:...	C	Min	Ari
49	Héctor Carrasco Héctor Carrasco Héctor Pacheco Pipo Carrasco is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher...	RHP	KC	Ari
51	Hanley Frias Hanley Frias Hanley Frias is a left-handed former baseball infielder, who last played for the Arizona Diamondbacks...	SS Shortstop Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...	Tex	Ari
53	Bob Wolcott Bob Wolcott Robert William Wolcott is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners , Arizona Diamondbacks , and Boston Red Sox . He also played for the Kintetsu Buffaloes in Japan in ....	RHP	Sea	Ari
55	Mike Bell	3B	Ana	Ari

Round 3

Pick	Player	Position	From	To
57	Joe Randa Joe Randa Joseph Gregory Salvatore Randa is a former Major League Baseball player. He was primarily a third baseman during his career. His nickname is "The Joker" due to his resemblance to the comic book character in Batman and his ever-present smile, especially during his plate appearances...	3B	Pit	Ari
59	Jesus Martinez	LHP	LA	Ari
61	Russ Springer Russ Springer Russell Paul Springer is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Springer made his major league debut on April 17, , with the New York Yankees. He also pitched for the California Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros, St...	RHP	Hou	Ari
63	Bryan Corey Bryan Corey Bryan Scott Corey is a Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. He is currently a free agent.-Biography:...	RHP	Det	Ari
65	Kelly Stinnett Kelly Stinnett Kelly Lee Stinnett is a retired Major League Baseball catcher. He played all or part of 14 seasons in the majors, from until .-High school years:...	C	Mil	Ari
67	Chuck McElroy Chuck McElroy Charles Dwayne McElroy Sr. , is a former professional baseball player who was a relief pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1989-2001. He volunteers at Cal Ripken baseball camp.-C.J.:...	LHP	CWS	Ari
69	Marty Janzen Marty Janzen Martin Thomas Janzen is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Yankees in , Janzen spent parts of two seasons in the major leagues...	RHP	Tor	Ari

Opening Day starters

• Jay Bell
• Andy Benes
• Brent Brede
• Edwin Diaz
• Jorge Fabregas
• Karim García
  Karim García
  Gustavo Karim García Aguayo is an outfielder with the Hanhwa Eagles of the Korean Baseball Organization. García bats and throws left-handed, and has been nicknamed "The Latino Bambino."-Early years:...
  
  
• Travis Lee
• Devon White
• Matt Williams

Notable transactions

• June 23, 1998: Alan Embree was traded by the Atlanta Braves to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Russ Springer.
• June 26, 1998: Aaron Small was selected off waivers by the Arizona Diamondbacks from the Oakland Athletics.

Roster

1998 Arizona Diamondbacks
Roster
Pitchers		Catchers Infielders		Outfielders Other batters	Manager Coaches

Game log

Game Log

Player stats

= Indicates team leader

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	HR	RBI	Avg.
C	Kelly Stinnett	92	274	71	11	34	.259
1B	Travis Lee	146	562	151	22	72	.269
2B	Andy Fox	139	502	139	9	44	.277
3B	Matt Williams	135	510	136	20	71	.267
SS	Jay Bell	155	549	138	20	67	.251
LF	David Dellucci	124	416	108	5	51	.260
CF	Devon White	146	563	157	22	85	.279
RF	Karim García Karim García Gustavo Karim García Aguayo is an outfielder with the Hanhwa Eagles of the Korean Baseball Organization. García bats and throws left-handed, and has been nicknamed "The Latino Bambino."-Early years:...	113	333	74	9	43	.222

Other batters

Player	G	AB	H	HR	RBI	Avg.
Tony Batista	106	293	80	18	41	.273
Brent Brede	98	212	48	2	17	.226
Jorge Fabregas	50	151	30	1	15	.199
Bernard Gilkey	29	101	25	1	5	.248
Hensley Meulens	7	15	1	1	1	.067
Andy Stankiewicz	77	145	30	0	8	.207

Starting pitchers

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO	BB
Brian Anderson	32	208.0	12	13	4.33	95	24
Andy Benes	34	231.1	14	13	3.97	164	74
Willie Blair	23	146.7	4	15	5.34	71	51
Omar Daal	33	162.7	8	12	2.88	132	51
Jeff Suppan	13	66.0	6	9	6.68	39	21
Amaury Telemaco	27	121.0	1	7	3.94	60	33

Other pitchers

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO	BB
Joel Adamson	5	23.0	0	3	8.22	14	11
Scott Brow	17	21.3	1	0	7.17	13	14
Bobby Chouinard	26	38.3	0	2	4.23	26	11
Ben Ford	8	10.0	0	0	9.90	5	3
Aaron Small	23	31.7	3	1	3.69	14	8
Russ Springer	26	32.7	4	3	4.13	37	14
Bob Wolcott	6	33.0	1	3	7.09	21	13

Relief pitchers

Player	G	IP	W	L	SV	ERA	SO	BB
Willie Banks	33	43.7	1	2	1	3.09	32	25
Alan Embree	35	35.0	3	2	1	4.11	24	13
Gregg Olson	64	68.7	3	4	30	3.01	55	25
Felix Rodriguez	43	44.0	0	2	5	6.14	36	29
Clint Sodowsky	45	77.7	3	6	0	5.68	42	39

Farm system

External links

• Arizona Diamondbacks official web site
• Arizona on Baseball Reference
• 1998 Arizona Diamondbacks team page at www.baseball-almanac.com