The 1998 Toronto Blue Jays season was the franchise's 22nd season of Major League Baseball. It resulted in the Blue Jays finishing third in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses, which was their best record since their 1993 World Series-winning season; the 88 wins were not surpassed until 2015.

With the disappointing last-place finish of the previous year, General Manager Gord Ash once again dug into the wallet to improve the team, signing reliever Randy Myers and slugger José Canseco as free agents. Though the team improved noticeably (thanks to another pitching Triple Crown and Cy Young Award-winning campaign by ace hurler Roger Clemens and a powerful lineup that featured Canseco, Carlos Delgado, Shawn Green, and José Cruz Jr.), they could not finish ahead of the New York Yankees or the Boston Red Sox, who won 114 and 92 games en route to winning the division crown and wild card respectively.

Transactions Transactions by the Toronto Blue Jays during the off-season before the 1998 season. October 1997 Luis Andújar granted free agency (signed with Toronto Blue Jays to a one-year contract on November 11, 1997). Jacob Brumfield granted free agency (signed with Toronto Blue Jays to a one-year contract on January 5, 1998), Huck Flener granted free agency. Ryan Thompson granted free agency. Rickey Cradle granted free agency (signed with Seattle Mariners to a one-year contract on November 7, 1997). Orlando Merced granted free agency (signed with Minnesota Twins to a one-year, $800,000 contract on January 14, 1998). Charlie O'Brien granted free agency (signed with Chicago White Sox to a two-year, $1.4 million contract on December 10, 1997). Joe Carter granted free agency (signed with Baltimore Orioles to a one-year, $3.3 million contract on December 12, 1997). Mariano Duncan granted free agency. Juan Samuel granted free agency (signed with Toronto Blue Jays to a one-year, $421,000 contract. Selected Dane Johnson off of waivers from the Oakland Athletics.

November 1997 Re-signed free agent Luis Andújar to a one-year contract. Rich Butler selected by Tampa Bay Devil Rays as the 10th pick in the 1997 MLB expansion draft. Omar Daal selected by Arizona Diamondbacks as the 31st pick in the 1997 MLB expansion draft. Marty Janzen selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 1997 MLB expansion draft. Signed free agent Shannon Withem from the Detroit Tigers to a contract. Signed free agent Darrin Fletcher from the Montreal Expos to a two-year, $4.1 million contract. Signed free agent Randy Myers from the Baltimore Orioles to a three-year, $18 million contract. Signed free agent Craig Grebeck from the Anaheim Angels to a one-year, $390,000 contract. Signed free agent Pat Kelly from the New York Yankees to a one-year, $325,000 contract.

December 1997 Re-signed free agent Juan Samuel to a one-year, $421,000 contract. Signed free agent Mark Dalesandro from the Chicago Cubs to a contract. Signed free agent Tony Fernández from the Cleveland Indians to a two-year, $4.2 million contract. Signed free agent Mike Stanley from the New York Yankees to a two-year, $6.15 million contract. Signed free agent Alex Delgado from the Florida Marlins to a one-year contract. Signed free agent José Herrera from the Oakland Athletics to a one-year contract. Traded Sandy Martínez to the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later (Trevor Schaffer on December 19, 1997). Drafted Luis Saturria from the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1997 MLB Rule 5 draft. Joe Davenport drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 1997 MLB Rule 5 draft. Carlos García granted free agency (signed with Cleveland Indians to a contract on January 6, 1998).

January 1998 Re-signed free agent Jacob Brumfield to a one-year contract. Signed free agent Phil Plantier from the St. Louis Cardinals to a contract.

February 1998 Signed free agent Jose Canseco from the Oakland Athletics to a one-year, $2.1 million contract. Re-signed Shawn Green to a two-year, $4.625 million contract.

March 1998 Acquired Kevin Brown from the Texas Rangers for Tim Crabtree. Re-signed Dan Plesac to a contract extension through 1999 (one-year, $1.5 million in 1999). Returned Luis Saturria to the St. Louis Cardinals. Released Jacob Brumfield. Signed free agent Patrick Lennon from the Anaheim Angels to a contract. Robert Pérez selected off of waivers by the Seattle Mariners.

Regular season

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Transactions Transactions for the Toronto Blue Jays during the 1998 regular season. April 1998 Signed free agent Dave Stieb to a one-year, $300,000 contract.

May 1998 Signed amateur free agent Scott Cassidy to a contract. Selected Ben Van Ryn off of waivers from the San Diego Padres.

June 1998 Released Erik Hanson.

July 1998 Signed free agent Tony Phillips from the Anaheim Angels to a one-year contract. Signed amateur free agent Gustavo Chacín to a contract. Released Luis Andújar. Player rights of Pat Kelly sold to the St. Louis Cardinals. Acquired Pete Munro and Jay Yennaco from the Boston Red Sox for Mike Stanley. Acquired Nerio Rodríguez and Shannon Carter from the Baltimore Orioles for Juan Guzmán. Acquired Scott Rivette from the Oakland Athletics for Ed Sprague Jr. Acquired Leo Estrella from the New York Mets for Tony Phillips.

August 1998 Acquired Brian Loyd from the San Diego Padres for Randy Myers.

September 1998 Julio Mosquera selected off of waivers by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Signed amateur free agent Guillermo Quiróz to a contract.

1998 MLB draft June 2, 1998: Felipe López was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1st round (8th pick) of the 1998 amateur draft. Player signed August 11, 1998.Felipe López Statistics Baseball-Reference.com

Roster 1998 Toronto Blue Jays Roster Pitchers Catchers

Infielders OutfieldersManager

Coaches (bullpen) (first base) (bench) (hitting) (pitching) (third base)

Game log

|- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 1 || April 1 || Twins || 3–2 || Clemens (1–0) || Tewksbury (0–1) || Myers (1) || 41,387 || 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 2 || April 2 || Twins || 3–2 || Guardado (1–0) || Escobar (0–1) || Aguilera (1) || 25,584 || 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 3 || April 3 || Rangers || 5–0 || Helling (1–0) || Guzmán (0–1) || || 25,509 || 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 4 || April 4 || Rangers || 9–2 || Williams (1–0) || Oliver (0–1) || || 30,156 || 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 5 || April 5 || Rangers || 6–5 || Burkett (1–1) || Risley (0–1) || Wetteland (1) || 28,106 || 2–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 6 || April 7 || @ Twins || 12–2 || Tewksbury (1–1) || Clemens (1–1) || || 8,421 || 2–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 7 || April 8 || @ Twins || 9–6 || Hentgen (1–0) || Hawkins (0–1) || Myers (2) || 8,532 || 3–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 8 || April 9 || @ Twins || 13–2 || Radke (1–1) || Guzmán (0–2) || || 9,075 || 3–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 9 || April 10 || @ Rangers || 4–3 || Helling (2–0) || Plesac (0–1) || Wetteland (2) || 32,314 || 3–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 10 || April 11 || @ Rangers || 9–8 || Almanzar (1–0) || Oliver (0–2) || Myers (3) || 37,520 || 4–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 11 || April 12 || @ Rangers || 3–1 || Wetteland (1–0) || Quantrill (0–1) || || 28,435 || 4–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 12 || April 13 || @ Royals || 11–1 || Rusch (1–2) || Hentgen (1–1) || || 11,749 || 4–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 13 || April 14 || @ Royals || 5–1 || Guzmán (1–2) || Rapp (0–1) || Quantrill (1) || 11,194 || 5–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 14 || April 15 || @ Royals || 7–3 || Haney (2–0) || Williams (1–1) || || 11,316 || 5–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 15 || April 17 || White Sox || 6–1 || Clemens (2–1) || Bere (0–3) || || 28,240 || 6–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 16 || April 18 || White Sox || 9–4 || Hentgen (2–1) || Navarro (1–2) || || 29,065 || 7–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 17 || April 19 || White Sox || 5–4 (12) || Carpenter (1–0) || Castillo (0–1) || || 31,265 || 8–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 18 || April 20 || Yankees || 3–2 (11) || Banks (1–0) || Risley (0–2) || Stanton (4) || 26,385 || 8–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 19 || April 21 || Yankees || 5–3 (10) || Stanton (1–0) || Plesac (0–2) || || 27,192 || 8–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 20 || April 22 || Yankees || 9–1 || Pettitte (3–2) || Clemens (2–2) || || 29,164 || 8–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 21 || April 24 || @ White Sox || 3–1 || Hentgen (3–1) || Navarro (1–3) || Myers (4) || 14,198 || 9–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 22 || April 25 || @ White Sox || 8–1 || Eyre (1–2) || Guzmán (1–3) || || 14,457 || 9–13 |- align="center" | 23 || April 26 || @ White Sox || 5–5 (6) || colspan=3|Postponed (rain) Rescheduled for July 15 || 13,705 || 9–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 24 || April 27 || @ Yankees || 1–0 || Pettitte (4–2) || Clemens (2–3) || Rivera (2) || 17,863 || 9–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 25 || April 28 || @ Yankees || 5–2 || Williams (2–1) || Mendoza (0–1) || Myers (5) || 18,727 || 10–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 26 || April 29 || Royals || 7–2 || Pichardo (1–2) || Hentgen (3–2) || || 25,644 || 10–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 27 || April 30 || Royals || 7–4 || Rusch (3–3) || Guzmán (1–4) || Montgomery (5) || 26,690 || 10–16

|- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 28 || May 1 || @ Athletics || 5–2 || Candiotti (3–3) || Hanson (0–1) || Taylor (7) || 7,078 || 10–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 29 || May 2 || @ Athletics || 7–0 || Clemens (3–3) || Oquist (0–1) || || 10,729 || 11–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 30 || May 3 || @ Athletics || 6–3 || Williams (3–1) || Telgheder (0–1) || Myers (6) || 23,463 || 12–17 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 31 || May 4 || @ Athletics || 7–4 || Rogers (5–1) || Hentgen (3–3) || || 5,206 || 12–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 32 || May 5 || @ Angels || 13–11 || Plesac (1–2) || Percival (0–2) || Myers (7) || 17,271 || 13–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 33 || May 6 || @ Angels || 6–5 || Escobar (1–1) || Hasegawa (1–1) || Myers (8) || 17,392 || 14–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 34 || May 7 || @ Mariners || 6–0 || Clemens (4–3) || Moyer (2–4) || || 24,129 || 15–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 35 || May 8 || @ Mariners || 8–3 || Johnson (3–1) || Williams (3–2) || || 29,920 || 15–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 36 || May 9 || @ Mariners || 4–1 || Hentgen (4–3) || Swift (2–2) || Myers (9) || 49,851 || 16–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 37 || May 10 || @ Mariners || 3–1 || Fassero (4–1) || Guzmán (1–5) || Ayala (7) || 39,249 || 16–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 38 || May 12 || Athletics || 4–3 (10)|| Myers (1–0) || Taylor (0–3) || || 25,636 || 17–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 39 || May 13 || Athletics || 4–2 || Haynes (2–1) || Clemens (4–4) || Fetters (2) || 25,732 || 17–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 40 || May 14 || Angels || 5–4 || Myers (2–0) || DeLucia (1–2) || || 25,606 || 18–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 41 || May 15 || Angels || 9–1 || Hentgen (5–3) || Hill (6–2) || || 26,644 || 19–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 42 || May 16 || Mariners || 8–1 || Fassero (5–1) || Guzmán (1–6) || || 31,121 || 19–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 43 || May 17 || Mariners || 4–3 || Plesac (2–2) || Slocumb (1–3) || || 28,111 || 20–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 44 || May 18 || Mariners || 9–4 || Spoljaric (3–0) || Clemens (4–5) || || 28,125 || 20–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 45 || May 19 || Devil Rays || 3–1 || Williams (4–2) || Springer (1–7) || Myers (10) || 25,662 || 21–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb" | 46 || May 20 || Devil Rays || 9–1 || Hentgen (6–3) || Álvarez (4–5) || || 26,107 || 22–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="bbffbb"