 The game was necessary after both teams finished the season with identical win – loss records of 89 – 73 . The Cubs won a coin flip late in the season which , by rule at the time , awarded them home field for the game . This victory advanced the Cubs to the 1998 NL Division Series ( NLDS ) where they were swept by the Atlanta Braves , ending the Cubs ' season . Michael Jordan , a popular Chicago sportsman then ending his career with the Chicago Bulls , threw the game 's ceremonial first pitch . In baseball statistics , the tie @-@ breaker counted as the 163rd regular season game for both teams , with all events in the game added to regular season statistics . 
 The game was necessary after both teams finished the season with identical win – loss records of 89 – 73 . The Cubs won a coin flip late in the season which , by rule at the time , awarded them home field for the game . This victory advanced the Cubs to the 1998 NL Division Series ( NLDS ) where they <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>were</mark></a> swept by the Atlanta Braves , ending the Cubs <a href='null_genetive' title='2'><mark>'</mark></a>season . Michael Jordan , a popular Chicago sportsman then ending his career with the Chicago Bulls , threw the game <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'s</mark></a>ceremonial first pitch . In baseball statistics , the tie @-@ breaker counted as the 163rd regular season game for both teams , with all events in the game added to regular season statistics . 
The game was necessary after both teams finished da season with identical win – loss records of 89 – 73 . The Cubs won a coin flip late in tdaseason which , by rule at thdaime , awarded them home field for thedame . This victory advanced the Cubs to the 1998 NL Division Series ( NLDS ) where they was swept by the daanta Braves , ending the Cda  season . micheal Jordan , a popular Chicago sportsman then ending his career wid the Chicago Bulls , threw the gada ceremonial first pitch . In baseball statistics , the tieda@ breaker counted as the 163rdaegular season game for both teams , wwall events in the game added to regular season statistics .