Introducing the 1998 Yankees Diary: A 25th Anniversary Retrospective

Dan BrinkTwenty-five years ago, no one could have known what was to come. The Yankees had captured hearts around New York by winning the World Series in 1996, their first title in 18 years. But manager Joe Torre’s 96-win ballclub fell short in ‘97, settling for a Wild Card spot and falling in a heartbreaking ALDS loss for the second time in three years.

The 1997-98 offseason featured a minor changing of the guard. Championship contributors Wade Boggs, Cecil Fielder, and Dwight Gooden departed in free agency. Disappointing starter Kenny Rogers was shipped out to Oakland for a fateful player to be named later. Catcher Joe Girardi had to accept that up-and-comer Jorge Posada would take some…