1990 World Series

The 1990 World Series matched the defending champion Oakland Athletics against the Cincinnati Reds, with the Reds sweeping the Series in four games.

Managers: Tony La Russa (Oakland), Lou Piniella (Cincinnati)

Umpires: Frank Pulli (NL), Ted Hendry (AL), Jim Quick (NL), Rocky Roe (AL), Randy Marsh (NL), Larry Barnett (AL: games 1 & 2), Bruce Froemming (NL: games 3 & 4)

MVP: José Rijo (Cincinnati)

Television: CBS (Jack Buck and Tim McCarver announcing)

Game 1
October 16, 1990 at Riverfront Stadium (Cincinnati Reds)

Game 2
October 17, 1990 at Riverfront Stadium (Cincinnati Reds)

Game 3
October 19, 1990 at Oakland Coliseum (Oakland Athletics)

Game 4
October 20, 1990 at Oakland Coliseum (Oakland Athletics)


 * mlb.com coverage of Game 4

Trivia

 * The Oakland Athletics became the first franchise to appear in three consecutive World Series since the 1976-78 New York Yankees.
 * When Oakland Athletics pitcher Dave Stewart entered to pitch Game 1, he had a six game postseason winning streak going (it ended after four innings of work).
 * This was the first of four consecutive World Series to be televised on CBS. From 1976 to 1989, World Series telecasts alternated between ABC (in odd numbered years) and NBC (in even numbered years).
 * Reds outfielder Billy Hatcher set a World Series record with seven consecutive hits. In addition, Hatcher's .750 batting average (9 for 12) broke a mark for a four-game World Series that was previously set by Babe Ruth (.625 in 1928).
 * Athletics manager Tony La Russa and Reds manager Lou Piniella were old friends and teammates from their Tampa American Legion Post 248 team.
 * Reds owner Marge Schott made a major verbal slip-up when she dedicated the 1990 World Series to "our women and men in the Far East" (Schott meant to say Middle East).
 * In the very first inning of Game 1, Reds leftfielder Eric Davis hit a home run in left center that nearly hit the CBS television studio where anchor Pat O'Brien was sitting.
 * During Game 2, Reds pitcher Tom Browning's pregnant wife Debbie went into labor during the game. Debbie left her seat in the fifth inning to drive herself to the hospital.  As the game went on, the Reds wanted Browning ready to pitch just in case the game went well into extra innings.  Thinking that Browning was en route to a nearby hospital, the Reds had their radio broadcaster Marty Brennaman put out an All Points Bulletin on Browning, a bulletin that was picked up by Tim McCarver on CBS television, who passed it along in the ninth inning.
 * Before the Series, Chicago Tribune columnist Mike Royko issued the stunning prediction that the heavily favored A's were "doomed", based on the "Ex-Cubs Factor". When the prediction came true, it fueled new interest in that arguably spurious correlation.

Quotes of the series
"I would like to dedicate this World Series to our men and women in the Far East!" - Marge Schott

"Cincinnati, the champions of baseball...for 1990!!! With an improbable sweep over Oakland!" - CBS Sports announcer Jack Buck on the call