Cleveland Indians: Reliving past postseason series against the Yankees

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Cleveland Indians, Manny Ramirez, Omar Vizquel, Sandy Alomar

Cleveland Indians slugger Manny Ramirez (R) is congratulated at the plate by teammate Omar Vizquel (C) after he hit a grand slam during the first inning 24 June at Jacobs Field in Cleveland, OH. At left is Indians catcher Sandy Alomar. AFP/Anthony ONCHAK (Photo by ANTHONY ONCHAK / AFP) (Photo by ANTHONY ONCHAK/AFP via Getty Images) /

1998 ALCS: New York Yankees best Cleveland Indians, 4-2

After having never met in the postseason, the Yankees and Indians squared off in consecutive seasons, this time in the American League Championship Series. While this series didn’t go seven games, the series was full of offensive explosions.

The first game of the series set the tone for what would be the other five, seeing the Yankees rattle off seven runs in the 7-2 win over the Tribe. The matchup was a familiar one with David Wells and Jaret Wright facing off, two of the better pitchers from the 1997 series.

The second game was much closer, going 12 innings to decide a winner. In the top of the 12th, the Indians logged three runs to secure the 4-1 victory and even up the series as it transitioned to Cleveland.

The Tribe captured the first game at Jacobs Field. The Yankees scored in the first inning, but were shutout the rest of the way as the Indians tallied six runs for a 6-1 win and a 2-1 series advantage. Unfortunately, that was the last win the Tribe would get in the series.

New York claimed 4-0 and 5-3 wins the next two games in Cleveland to take a 3-2 series lead back to Yankee Stadium. In Game 6, the Yanks scored nine runs in a 9-5 win to secure the series win and advance to the 1998 World Series.

The Yankees went on to sweep the San Diego Padres in the World Series for their second title in three years and the first of three straight.

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