There were numerous questions when the Winnipeg Goldeyes broke camp in 1998, but not many answers, as just five players were back from the team that won the 1997 West Division pennant. From top to bottom, a lot of holes had formed in the Winnipeg line-up over the winter.
Second baseman Brian Duva, an All-Star in 1997, was back but was alone in doing so. First base was vacant after two-time MVP Terry Lee opted for retirement, shortstop John Dorman had been picked up by the Cleveland Indians and third baseman Mike Hickey was working in the family business back in Hawaii. In the outfield, Chris Kokinda was back in left, while centre, right and the DH spot were pretty much up for grabs, as were the catching duties. On the mound, 1997 Pitcher of the Year Rick Forney would anchor the starters, with Jeff Sparks and Dan Guehne doing the same in relief as the respective righty and lefty stoppers.
Starting their fifth season in Sioux City, the Goldeyes lost three of four to the Explorers, and wouldn’t see the sunny side of .500 until June 15. And it was not until June 20 that they would stay there - one day after Wes Chamberlain arrived in town. From the day the one-time Major Leaguer suited up, Winnipeg was unquestionably a better ball club. Following his lead, fellow sluggers Tony Chance and Sean Hearn slowly came into their own, hitting for both power and average. Later signings of catcher Troy Fortin, third baseman Art Baeza and outfielder Casey Smith, along with consistent efforts from Duva and Kokinda as well as that from a renewed Forney, would see the Fish go 16-8 in their last two dozen games to end the half second in the West.
Picking up where they left off, the Goldeyes opened the second half in Thunder Bay and swept the Whiskey Jacks, including an 18-1 thrashing in game three that saw them hit a League record nine home runs. They would go 21-4 in the first 25 games of the second half and 33-10 overall to nail down a playoff spot for the fifth straight season. They had set numerous League and franchise records during the year, including 58 wins that made Hal Lanier the only manager to win 50 games in a season three years in a row, but none of that mattered to Fargo-Moorhead.
Showing why they had won a record 64 games, the RedHawks took the first two games of the West Division final at home, and needed to win just one more in Winnipeg to advance to their second League final in three years. But the Fish were looking to do the same. With their backs to the wall, they won game three in a 6-5, 13-inning thriller. And with momentum on their side, they jumped out to a 4-1 lead in game four, only to watch Fargo storm back for a 10-6 win. The Goldeyes had played their last game of 1998 and their last game ever at Winnipeg Stadium.
The season may have ended sooner than hoped, but the Fish still accomplished a lot. They set numerous League records, but there were numerous individual accomplishments as well.
En route to being named Northern League Player of the Year, Hearn set a franchise record for home runs in a season, and also became the League’s all-time leader in home runs. In winning the batting title, Duva set a League record for hits in a season. Chance was the RBI leader, while Forney was the strikeout leader and became the only pitcher in franchise history to post consecutive 10-win seasons. Sparks, meanwhile, set a franchise record for saves in a season.
Joined by Hearn, Chance and starter Gregg Press, Duva played in his second-straight Northern League All-Star Game. Along with Hearn and Chance, he was also named to his second straight Northern League All-Star Team. And, Duva and Forney joined independent baseball’s elite for the second straight year. He and Chance were named to Baseball America’s second Independent All-Star team, while Hearn was rewarded with a first team spot. Lastly, GM John Hindle was recognized as the Northern League General Manager of the Year.
Season-By-Season Review | Roster History | Distinguished Alumni
