1989 World Series

1989 World Series
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain · source
Year	1989
Team1	Oakland Athletics
Team2	San Francisco Giants
Champion	Oakland Athletics
Manager1	Tony La Russa
Manager2	Roger Craig
Mvp	Dave Stewart

1989 World Series. The 1989 World Series was played between the American League champion Oakland Athletics and the National League champion San Francisco Giants. This series is often referred to as the "Loma Prieta Series" or "Bay Bridge Series" due to the proximity of the two teams and the fact that it was the first World Series to feature two teams from the same metropolitan area, the San Francisco Bay Area. The series began on October 14, 1989, at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California, and ended on October 28, 1989, with the Athletics winning the series 4 games to 0, sweeping the Giants in the process, with notable players like Rickey Henderson, Jose Canseco, and Mark McGwire.

Background

The 1989 World Series was significant not only because of the geographic proximity of the two teams but also due to the Loma Prieta earthquake that struck the San Francisco Bay Area on October 17, 1989, just before Game 3. The earthquake caused widespread damage and loss of life, and it led to a 10-day delay in the series. The series was also notable for the dominance of the Oakland Athletics, who were managed by Tony La Russa and featured a strong lineup with players like Dave Parker, Carney Lansford, and Walt Weiss. The San Francisco Giants, managed by Roger Craig, had a strong team as well, with players like Will Clark, Kevin Mitchell, and Don Robinson.

Teams

The Oakland Athletics were a powerhouse team in the late 1980s, with a strong rotation that included Dave Stewart, Bob Welch, and Storm Davis. The team also had a solid bullpen, with Dennis Eckersley serving as the closer. The San Francisco Giants had a strong offense, led by Will Clark and Kevin Mitchell, who both had outstanding seasons in 1989. The Giants' rotation was led by Rick Reuschel, Don Robinson, and Kelly Downs. Notable players from both teams included Jason Giambi, Terry Steinbach, and Matt Williams, who would go on to have successful careers in Major League Baseball with teams like the New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Series summary

The series began with the Oakland Athletics winning Game 1 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum by a score of 5-0, behind a strong pitching performance by Dave Stewart. The Athletics won Game 2 by a score of 5-1, with Bob Welch earning the win. The series was then delayed for 10 days due to the Loma Prieta earthquake, which caused significant damage to the Bay Bridge and other areas of the San Francisco Bay Area. When the series resumed, the Athletics won Game 3 by a score of 13-7, with Carney Lansford and Dave Parker leading the offense. The Athletics completed the sweep with a 9-6 win in Game 4, with Rickey Henderson and Jose Canseco contributing to the victory, and players like Ozzie Smith, Andre Dawson, and Ryne Sandberg watching from afar.

Game summaries

Game 1 of the series was played on October 14, 1989, at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, with the Oakland Athletics winning 5-0 behind a strong pitching performance by Dave Stewart. Game 2 was played on October 15, 1989, with the Athletics winning 5-1, led by Bob Welch and Dennis Eckersley. Game 3 was played on October 27, 1989, after the 10-day delay, with the Athletics winning 13-7, led by Carney Lansford and Dave Parker. Game 4 was played on October 28, 1989, with the Athletics completing the sweep with a 9-6 win, led by Rickey Henderson and Jose Canseco, and with players like Cal Ripken Jr., Wade Boggs, and Roger Clemens following the series from other American League teams like the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles.

Aftermath

The 1989 World Series was a significant event in the history of Major League Baseball, marking the first time that two teams from the same metropolitan area had played each other in the World Series. The series also marked the end of an era for the Oakland Athletics, who would not appear in another World Series until 1990, when they would face the Cincinnati Reds. The San Francisco Giants would not appear in another World Series until 2002, when they would face the Anaheim Angels. The series also had a significant impact on the San Francisco Bay Area, with the Loma Prieta earthquake causing widespread damage and loss of life, and the series itself bringing the community together in the aftermath of the disaster, with support from organizations like the American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency. Players like Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., and Frank Thomas would go on to have successful careers in Major League Baseball with teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners, and Chicago White Sox.