Few expected the Cubs to contend in 1998 after their 94-loss season in ‘97.
But that became the year of the Sosa/McGwire home run race and a tight race to the finish for the N.L. Wild Card between the Cubs, Mets and Giants, resulting in a tiebreaker game at Wrigley Field.
On the way to that postseason berth, Ed Lynch made one really, REALLY bad deal. After the season was over, he made a good one.
Here’s what happened that year.
January 20: Acquired Ray King from the Braves for Jon Ratliff
Ratliff had been the Cubs’ No.