What Is 1998 Minnesota Twins baseball team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1998 Minnesota Twins finished with a 70-92 record, placing fourth in the American League Central Division. It was a rebuilding year marked by poor pitching and inconsistent offense under manager Tom Kelly.

Key Facts

Finished with a 70-92 record, 21 games behind the division-winning Cleveland Indians
Managed by Tom Kelly, who stepped down after the season due to health issues
Scored 779 runs but allowed 872, reflecting weak pitching and defense
Key players included Chuck Knoblauch, Matt Lawton, and David McCarty
Last season before the Twins moved to Target Field in 2010; still played at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

Overview

The 1998 Minnesota Twins season was a transitional year for the franchise, finishing with a losing record and missing the playoffs for the 11th consecutive season. Playing at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, the team struggled with consistency on both offense and defense, reflecting a rebuilding phase in the post-Kelly era.

Under the leadership of manager Tom Kelly, who retired after the season due to health concerns, the Twins posted a 70-92 record, placing fourth in the American League Central Division. Despite flashes of individual performance, the team failed to compete with powerhouse squads like the Cleveland Indians, who dominated the division with a 89-73 record.

70-92 record: The Twins won only 70 games, their second-worst win total since 1992, highlighting a lack of competitiveness in a strong division.
Fourth in AL Central: They finished 21 games behind the first-place Cleveland Indians, who advanced to the ALCS that year.
Tom Kelly’s final season: After managing since 1986 and winning two World Series (1987, 1991), Kelly retired due to back problems and personal reasons.
Run differential of -93: The team scored 779 runs but allowed 872, indicating serious flaws in starting pitching and bullpen reliability.
Home at the Metrodome: The Twins played their final full season in the aging Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome before eventually moving to Target Field in 2010.

How It Works

The 1998 Twins' season structure followed standard Major League Baseball scheduling, with 162 games across six months, featuring interleague play introduced that year. The team’s performance was shaped by roster composition, managerial strategy, and player development systems.

Starting Rotation: The rotation was anchored by Brad Radke, who posted a 10-11 record with a 4.73 ERA over 222 innings, leading the staff in durability.
Bullpen struggles: The relief corps allowed a 5.12 ERA, with closers like Rick Aguilera and Ron Villone failing to stabilize late-game situations.
Offensive highlights: Chuck Knoblauch hit .298 with 16 home runs before being traded mid-season; Matt Lawton batted .291 with 13 steals in his rookie campaign.
Defensive inconsistencies: The team committed 108 errors, with infield defense lacking stability after Knoblauch’s departure to the Yankees.
Farm system impact: Young players like David McCarty and Denny Hocking saw increased playing time, signaling a shift toward youth development.
Interleague play: The Twins went 3-3 in their inaugural interleague games, defeating the Rockies and Astros but losing to the Marlins and Padres.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1998 Twins to division rivals reveals significant performance gaps in key statistical categories.

Team	Record	Runs Scored	Runs Allowed	ERA
Cleveland Indians	89-73	902	782	4.31
Chicago White Sox	80-82	820	813	4.79
Kansas City Royals	74-88	800	869	5.08
Minnesota Twins	70-92	779	872	5.06
Detroit Tigers	65-97	764	928	5.71

The data shows that while the Twins were competitive offensively, their pitching staff allowed the second-most runs in the division. Only the Tigers had a worse ERA, underscoring the Twins’ need for pitching overhauls in the coming years.

Why It Matters

The 1998 season marked a turning point for the Twins organization, setting the stage for a full-scale rebuild that eventually led to a resurgence in the early 2000s. Though unremarkable at the time, this season helped shape front-office decisions around player development and analytics.

End of an era: Tom Kelly’s retirement closed the chapter on one of the most successful managerial tenures in franchise history.
Rebuilding signal: The poor record and aging roster prompted the team to prioritize drafting and developing young talent.
Knoblauch trade impact: His mid-season trade to the Yankees brought prospects that contributed to future minor league depth.
Foundation for 2000s success: Lessons from 1998 informed the Twins’ shift toward cost-effective, homegrown players like Johan Santana.
Ballpark transition: The final full Metrodome season highlighted the need for a modern, fan-friendly ballpark.
Statistical benchmark: The -93 run differential became a reference point for future pitching staff evaluations.

Though not a memorable season for fans, 1998 was pivotal in guiding the Twins toward long-term sustainability and eventual playoff returns in the new millennium.