Who led MLB in home runs in 1998?

Mark McGwire led the majors with 70 in 1998 (NL).

Who had the highest batting average in 1998?

Larry Walker hit ..363, the best average among qualifying hitters in 1998 (NL).

Who led MLB in wins in 1998?

Roger Clemens led the majors with 20 wins in 1998 (AL).

1998 MLB League Leaders

Source Lahman databaseSeason 19982 major leagues12 boards per league

Mark McGwire led the majors with 70 in 1998. The American League and National League leaderboards below rank every qualifying hitter and pitcher of the 1998 season, from the SABR/Lahman baseball database.

← 1997 leaders All seasons 1999 leaders →

League

Showing all major leagues combined leader boards

Batting leaders, all major leagues

AVG leaders

Batting Average leaders, 1998, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	AVG
1	Larry Walker	COL	NL	.363
2	John Olerud	NYN	NL	.354
3	Bernie Williams	NYA	AL	.339
4	Mo Vaughn	BOS	AL	.337
5	Dante Bichette	COL	NL	.331
6	Albert Belle	CHA	AL	.328
6	Mike Piazza	LAN/FLO/NYN	NL	.328
8	Eric Davis	BAL	AL	.327
8	Jason Kendall	PIT	NL	.327
10	Craig Biggio	HOU	NL	.325

HR leaders

Home Runs leaders, 1998, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	HR
1	Mark McGwire	SLN	NL	70
2	Sammy Sosa	CHN	NL	66
3	Ken Griffey	SEA	AL	56
4	Greg Vaughn	SDN	NL	50
5	Albert Belle	CHA	AL	49
6	Jose Canseco	TOR	AL	46
6	Vinny Castilla	COL	NL	46
8	Juan Gonzalez	TEX	AL	45
8	Manny Ramirez	CLE	AL	45
10	Andres Galarraga	ATL	NL	44

RBI leaders

Runs Batted In leaders, 1998, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	RBI
1	Sammy Sosa	CHN	NL	158
2	Juan Gonzalez	TEX	AL	157
3	Albert Belle	CHA	AL	152
4	Mark McGwire	SLN	NL	147
5	Ken Griffey	SEA	AL	146
6	Manny Ramirez	CLE	AL	145
7	Vinny Castilla	COL	NL	144
8	Jeff Kent	SFN	NL	128
9	Jeromy Burnitz	MIL	NL	125
10	Moises Alou	HOU	NL	124

R leaders

Runs Scored leaders, 1998, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	R
1	Sammy Sosa	CHN	NL	134
2	Mark McGwire	SLN	NL	130
3	Derek Jeter	NYA	AL	127
4	Ray Durham	CHA	AL	126
5	Jeff Bagwell	HOU	NL	124
6	Craig Biggio	HOU	NL	123
6	Chipper Jones	ATL	NL	123
6	Alex Rodriguez	SEA	AL	123
9	Barry Bonds	SFN	NL	120
9	Ken Griffey	SEA	AL	120

H leaders

Hits leaders, 1998, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	H
1	Dante Bichette	COL	NL	219
2	Alex Rodriguez	SEA	AL	213
3	Craig Biggio	HOU	NL	210
4	Vinny Castilla	COL	NL	206
5	Mo Vaughn	BOS	AL	205
6	Derek Jeter	NYA	AL	203
7	Vladimir Guerrero	MON	NL	202
8	Albert Belle	CHA	AL	200
9	Derek Bell	HOU	NL	198
9	Sammy Sosa	CHN	NL	198

SB leaders

Stolen Bases leaders, 1998, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	SB
1	Rickey Henderson	OAK	AL	66
2	Tony Womack	PIT	NL	58
3	Kenny Lofton	CLE	AL	54
4	Shannon Stewart	TOR	AL	51
5	Craig Biggio	HOU	NL	50
6	Alex Rodriguez	SEA	AL	46
7	Jose Offerman	KCA	AL	45
8	Brian Hunter	DET	AL	42
8	Eric Young	LAN	NL	42
10	Edgar Renteria	FLO	NL	41

OPS+ leaders

OPS+ leaders, 1998, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	OPS+
1	Mark McGwire	SLN	NL	225
2	Larry Walker	COL	NL	188
3	Barry Bonds	SFN	NL	181
4	Sammy Sosa	CHN	NL	172
5	Albert Belle	CHA	AL	169
5	John Olerud	NYN	NL	169
7	Andres Galarraga	ATL	NL	165
8	Jeff Bagwell	HOU	NL	164
9	Moises Alou	HOU	NL	163
10	Bernie Williams	NYA	AL	158

Pitching leaders, all major leagues

W leaders

Wins leaders, 1998, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	W
1	Roger Clemens	TOR	AL	20
1	David Cone	NYA	AL	20
1	Tom Glavine	ATL	NL	20
1	Rick Helling	TEX	AL	20
5	Pedro Martinez	BOS	AL	19
5	Shane Reynolds	HOU	NL	19
5	Aaron Sele	TEX	AL	19
5	Kevin Tapani	CHN	NL	19
9	Kevin Brown	SDN	NL	18
9	Greg Maddux	ATL	NL	18

ERA leaders

Earned Run Average leaders, 1998, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	ERA
1	Greg Maddux	ATL	NL	2.22
2	Kevin Brown	SDN	NL	2.38
3	Tom Glavine	ATL	NL	2.47
3	Al Leiter	NYN	NL	2.47
5	Roger Clemens	TOR	AL	2.65
6	Pedro Martinez	BOS	AL	2.89
7	John Smoltz	ATL	NL	2.90
8	Dustin Hermanson	MON	NL	3.13
9	Pete Harnisch	CIN	NL	3.14
10	Kenny Rogers	OAK	AL	3.17

SO leaders

Strikeouts leaders, 1998, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	SO
1	Curt Schilling	PHI	NL	300
2	Roger Clemens	TOR	AL	271
3	Kevin Brown	SDN	NL	257
4	Pedro Martinez	BOS	AL	251
5	Kerry Wood	CHN	NL	233
6	Chuck Finley	ANA	AL	212
7	David Cone	NYA	AL	209
7	Shane Reynolds	HOU	NL	209
9	Greg Maddux	ATL	NL	204
10	Chan Ho Park	LAN	NL	191

SV leaders

Saves leaders, 1998, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	SV
1	Trevor Hoffman	SDN	NL	53
2	Rod Beck	CHN	NL	51
3	Jeff Shaw	CIN/LAN	NL	48
4	Tom Gordon	BOS	AL	46
5	Troy Percival	ANA	AL	42
5	John Wetteland	TEX	AL	42
7	Michael Jackson	CLE	AL	40
7	Robb Nen	SFN	NL	40
9	Rick Aguilera	MIN	AL	38
9	John Franco	NYN	NL	38

ERA+ leaders

ERA+ leaders, 1998, all major leagues
#	Player	Team	Lg	ERA+
1	Greg Maddux	ATL	NL	190
2	Kevin Brown	SDN	NL	178
3	Roger Clemens	TOR	AL	176
4	Tom Glavine	ATL	NL	171
4	Al Leiter	NYN	NL	171
6	Pedro Martinez	BOS	AL	161
7	Kenny Rogers	OAK	AL	147
8	John Smoltz	ATL	NL	146
9	Chuck Finley	ANA	AL	137
10	Pete Harnisch	CIN	NL	135

Batting leaders, American League

AVG leaders

Batting Average leaders, 1998, American League
#	Player	Team	AVG
1	Bernie Williams	NYA	.339
2	Mo Vaughn	BOS	.337
3	Albert Belle	CHA	.328
4	Eric Davis	BAL	.327
5	Derek Jeter	NYA	.324
6	Nomar Garciaparra	BOS	.323
7	Edgar Martinez	SEA	.322
8	Tony Fernandez	TOR	.321
8	Ivan Rodriguez	TEX	.321
10	Juan Gonzalez	TEX	.318

HR leaders

Home Runs leaders, 1998, American League
#	Player	Team	HR
1	Ken Griffey	SEA	56
2	Albert Belle	CHA	49
3	Jose Canseco	TOR	46
4	Juan Gonzalez	TEX	45
4	Manny Ramirez	CLE	45
6	Rafael Palmeiro	BAL	43
7	Alex Rodriguez	SEA	42
8	Mo Vaughn	BOS	40
9	Carlos Delgado	TOR	38
10	Nomar Garciaparra	BOS	35

RBI leaders

Runs Batted In leaders, 1998, American League
#	Player	Team	RBI
1	Juan Gonzalez	TEX	157
2	Albert Belle	CHA	152
3	Ken Griffey	SEA	146
4	Manny Ramirez	CLE	145
5	Alex Rodriguez	SEA	124
6	Tino Martinez	NYA	123
7	Nomar Garciaparra	BOS	122
8	Rafael Palmeiro	BAL	121
9	Dean Palmer	KCA	119
10	Paul O'Neill	NYA	116

R leaders

Runs Scored leaders, 1998, American League
#	Player	Team	R
1	Derek Jeter	NYA	127
2	Ray Durham	CHA	126
3	Alex Rodriguez	SEA	123
4	Ken Griffey	SEA	120
5	Chuck Knoblauch	NYA	117
6	Jim Edmonds	ANA	115
7	Albert Belle	CHA	113
7	John Valentin	BOS	113
9	Joey Cora	SEA/CLE	111
9	Nomar Garciaparra	BOS	111

H leaders

Hits leaders, 1998, American League
#	Player	Team	H
1	Alex Rodriguez	SEA	213
2	Mo Vaughn	BOS	205
3	Derek Jeter	NYA	203
4	Albert Belle	CHA	200
5	Nomar Garciaparra	BOS	195
6	Juan Gonzalez	TEX	193
7	Jose Offerman	KCA	191
7	Paul O'Neill	NYA	191
9	Ivan Rodriguez	TEX	186
10	Jim Edmonds	ANA	184

SB leaders

Stolen Bases leaders, 1998, American League
#	Player	Team	SB
1	Rickey Henderson	OAK	66
2	Kenny Lofton	CLE	54
3	Shannon Stewart	TOR	51
4	Alex Rodriguez	SEA	46
5	Jose Offerman	KCA	45
6	Brian Hunter	DET	42
7	Tom Goodwin	TEX	38
8	Omar Vizquel	CLE	37
9	Ray Durham	CHA	36
10	Shawn Green	TOR	35

OPS+ leaders

OPS+ leaders, 1998, American League
#	Player	Team	OPS+
1	Albert Belle	CHA	169
2	Bernie Williams	NYA	158
3	Edgar Martinez	SEA	157
3	Jim Thome	CLE	157
5	Mo Vaughn	BOS	155
6	Juan Gonzalez	TEX	154
7	Carlos Delgado	TOR	151
8	Manny Ramirez	CLE	150
9	Eric Davis	BAL	149
9	Ken Griffey	SEA	149

Pitching leaders, American League

W leaders

Wins leaders, 1998, American League
#	Player	Team	W
1	Roger Clemens	TOR	20
1	David Cone	NYA	20
1	Rick Helling	TEX	20
4	Pedro Martinez	BOS	19
4	Aaron Sele	TEX	19
6	David Wells	NYA	18
7	Tim Wakefield	BOS	17
8	Scott Erickson	BAL	16
8	Andy Pettitte	NYA	16
8	Kenny Rogers	OAK	16

ERA leaders

Earned Run Average leaders, 1998, American League
#	Player	Team	ERA
1	Roger Clemens	TOR	2.65
2	Pedro Martinez	BOS	2.89
3	Kenny Rogers	OAK	3.17
4	Chuck Finley	ANA	3.39
5	Mike Mussina	BAL	3.49
5	David Wells	NYA	3.49
7	Jamie Moyer	SEA	3.53
8	David Cone	NYA	3.55
9	Rolando Arrojo	TBA	3.56
10	Bartolo Colon	CLE	3.71

SO leaders

Strikeouts leaders, 1998, American League
#	Player	Team	SO
1	Roger Clemens	TOR	271
2	Pedro Martinez	BOS	251
3	Chuck Finley	ANA	212
4	David Cone	NYA	209
5	Scott Erickson	BAL	186
6	Jeff Fassero	SEA	176
7	Mike Mussina	BAL	175
8	Tony Saunders	TBA	172
9	Juan Guzman	TOR/BAL	168
10	Aaron Sele	TEX	167

SV leaders

Saves leaders, 1998, American League
#	Player	Team	SV
1	Tom Gordon	BOS	46
2	Troy Percival	ANA	42
2	John Wetteland	TEX	42
4	Michael Jackson	CLE	40
5	Rick Aguilera	MIN	38
6	Jeff Montgomery	KCA	36
6	Mariano Rivera	NYA	36
8	Billy Taylor	OAK	33
9	Todd Jones	DET	28
10	Roberto Hernandez	TBA	26

ERA+ leaders

ERA+ leaders, 1998, American League
#	Player	Team	ERA+
1	Roger Clemens	TOR	176
2	Pedro Martinez	BOS	161
3	Kenny Rogers	OAK	147
4	Chuck Finley	ANA	137
5	Mike Mussina	BAL	133
5	David Wells	NYA	133
7	Jamie Moyer	SEA	132
8	David Cone	NYA	131
9	Rolando Arrojo	TBA	130
10	Bartolo Colon	CLE	125

Batting leaders, National League

AVG leaders

Batting Average leaders, 1998, National League
#	Player	Team	AVG
1	Larry Walker	COL	.363
2	John Olerud	NYN	.354
3	Dante Bichette	COL	.331
4	Mike Piazza	LAN/FLO/NYN	.328
5	Jason Kendall	PIT	.327
6	Craig Biggio	HOU	.325
7	Vladimir Guerrero	MON	.324
8	Jeff Cirillo	MIL	.321
9	Vinny Castilla	COL	.319
10	Brian Jordan	SLN	.316

HR leaders

Home Runs leaders, 1998, National League
#	Player	Team	HR
1	Mark McGwire	SLN	70
2	Sammy Sosa	CHN	66
3	Greg Vaughn	SDN	50
4	Vinny Castilla	COL	46
5	Andres Galarraga	ATL	44
6	Moises Alou	HOU	38
6	Jeromy Burnitz	MIL	38
6	Vladimir Guerrero	MON	38
9	Barry Bonds	SFN	37
10	Jeff Bagwell	HOU	34

RBI leaders

Runs Batted In leaders, 1998, National League
#	Player	Team	RBI
1	Sammy Sosa	CHN	158
2	Mark McGwire	SLN	147
3	Vinny Castilla	COL	144
4	Jeff Kent	SFN	128
5	Jeromy Burnitz	MIL	125
6	Moises Alou	HOU	124
7	Dante Bichette	COL	122
7	Barry Bonds	SFN	122
9	Andres Galarraga	ATL	121
10	Greg Vaughn	SDN	119

R leaders

Runs Scored leaders, 1998, National League
#	Player	Team	R
1	Sammy Sosa	CHN	134
2	Mark McGwire	SLN	130
3	Jeff Bagwell	HOU	124
4	Craig Biggio	HOU	123
4	Chipper Jones	ATL	123
6	Barry Bonds	SFN	120
6	Scott Rolen	PHI	120
8	Larry Walker	COL	113
9	Greg Vaughn	SDN	112
10	Derek Bell	HOU	111

H leaders

Hits leaders, 1998, National League
#	Player	Team	H
1	Dante Bichette	COL	219
2	Craig Biggio	HOU	210
3	Vinny Castilla	COL	206
4	Vladimir Guerrero	MON	202
5	Derek Bell	HOU	198
5	Sammy Sosa	CHN	198
5	Fernando Vina	MIL	198
8	John Olerud	NYN	197
9	Jeff Cirillo	MIL	194
10	Doug Glanville	PHI	189

SB leaders

Stolen Bases leaders, 1998, National League
#	Player	Team	SB
1	Tony Womack	PIT	58
2	Craig Biggio	HOU	50
3	Eric Young	LAN	42
4	Edgar Renteria	FLO	41
5	Barry Bonds	SFN	28
6	Cliff Floyd	FLO	27
6	Andruw Jones	ATL	27
8	Jason Kendall	PIT	26
8	Ray Lankford	SLN	26
8	Barry Larkin	CIN	26

OPS+ leaders

OPS+ leaders, 1998, National League
#	Player	Team	OPS+
1	Mark McGwire	SLN	225
2	Larry Walker	COL	188
3	Barry Bonds	SFN	181
4	Sammy Sosa	CHN	172
5	John Olerud	NYN	169
6	Andres Galarraga	ATL	165
7	Jeff Bagwell	HOU	164
8	Moises Alou	HOU	163
9	Mike Piazza	LAN/FLO/NYN	157
9	Gary Sheffield	FLO/LAN	157

Pitching leaders, National League

W leaders

Wins leaders, 1998, National League
#	Player	Team	W
1	Tom Glavine	ATL	20
2	Shane Reynolds	HOU	19
2	Kevin Tapani	CHN	19
4	Kevin Brown	SDN	18
4	Greg Maddux	ATL	18
6	Andy Ashby	SDN	17
6	Al Leiter	NYN	17
6	Kevin Millwood	ATL	17
6	John Smoltz	ATL	17
10	Jose Lima	HOU	16

ERA leaders

Earned Run Average leaders, 1998, National League
#	Player	Team	ERA
1	Greg Maddux	ATL	2.22
2	Kevin Brown	SDN	2.38
3	Tom Glavine	ATL	2.47
3	Al Leiter	NYN	2.47
5	John Smoltz	ATL	2.90
6	Dustin Hermanson	MON	3.13
7	Pete Harnisch	CIN	3.14
8	Curt Schilling	PHI	3.25
9	Francisco Cordova	PIT	3.31
10	Andy Ashby	SDN	3.34

SO leaders

Strikeouts leaders, 1998, National League
#	Player	Team	SO
1	Curt Schilling	PHI	300
2	Kevin Brown	SDN	257
3	Kerry Wood	CHN	233
4	Shane Reynolds	HOU	209
5	Greg Maddux	ATL	204
6	Chan Ho Park	LAN	191
7	Al Leiter	NYN	174
8	John Smoltz	ATL	173
9	Pedro Astacio	COL	170
10	Jose Lima	HOU	169

SV leaders

Saves leaders, 1998, National League
#	Player	Team	SV
1	Trevor Hoffman	SDN	53
2	Rod Beck	CHN	51
3	Jeff Shaw	CIN/LAN	48
4	Robb Nen	SFN	40
5	John Franco	NYN	38
6	Ugueth Urbina	MON	34
7	Kerry Ligtenberg	ATL	30
7	Gregg Olson	ARI	30
7	Billy Wagner	HOU	30
10	Bob Wickman	MIL	25

ERA+ leaders

ERA+ leaders, 1998, National League
#	Player	Team	ERA+
1	Greg Maddux	ATL	190
2	Kevin Brown	SDN	178
3	Tom Glavine	ATL	171
3	Al Leiter	NYN	171
5	John Smoltz	ATL	146
6	Pete Harnisch	CIN	135
6	Dustin Hermanson	MON	135
8	Curt Schilling	PHI	130
9	Francisco Cordova	PIT	128
10	Andy Ashby	SDN	127

How the 1998 leaderboards are built

Batters qualify at PA >= 3.1 x their league's scheduled games that season (the batting-title rule shape, applied era-consistently; 3.1 x 162 = 502 in the modern schedule). Pitchers qualify on the W, ERA, SO and ERA+ boards at IP >= their league's scheduled games that season (1 inning per scheduled team game; 162 in the modern schedule). The saves board uses the reliever bar: IP >= one-third of scheduled games.

Adjusted stats use same-league-season normalization only: OPS+ = 100 x (OBP/lgOBP + SLG/lgSLG - 1) and ERA+ = 100 x league ERA / player ERA, computed within each player's own league that season. They are not park-adjusted and are not the full Baseball-Reference formulas. In the combined all-leagues view, adjusted values keep their own-league normalization. Unrecorded early-era stats are never invented; a board simply does not appear for a stat the source did not record that season.

Season records come from the SABR / Sean Lahman baseball database (2025 edition), used under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0. Full credits live on our sources page.

Nearby seasons

1992 league leaders 1993 league leaders 1994 league leaders 1995 league leaders 1996 league leaders 1997 league leaders 1999 league leaders 2000 league leaders 2001 league leaders 2002 league leaders 2003 league leaders 2004 league leaders

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