In the history of Major League Baseball, only five teams have been wire-to-wire World Series Champions. That is, the team was in first place every day of the regular season and, of course, won all postseason series, if applicable, in addition to the Fall Classic. One of those teams was the 1990 Cincinnati Reds.
It was quite a reversal of fortune for the ballclub. The Reds were one of the top teams of the 1970s. They won back-to-back World Series titles in 1975 and 1976 and were known as the Big Red Machine. The early 1980s, though, were spent at, or near, the bottom of the standings. They finally managed to turn things around in 1985 with a second-place finish.
They finished in second place the next three seasons as well, before stumbling in 1989 and finishing fifth with a record of 75 and 87. However, a series of moves during that time helped the Reds, somewhat secretly, build a championship team that would stun the baseball world.
In 1990, Lou Pinella took over as manager after Pete Rose was relieved of his duties in that role. A lockout of the players by the owners pushed the start of the season back one week, meaning the Reds, who traditionally start the entire Major League Baseball season, had Opening Day pushed back to April 17. As such, they started with two series on the road against Houston and Atlanta, respectively. They swept both and won on Opening Day to push their record to 7-0.
Some of the more memorable players from the 1990 team included Todd Benzinger, Barry Larkin, Chris Sabo, Billy Hatcher, Paul O'Neill, and the Nasty Boys. The latter was the trio of relief pitchers Rob Dibble, Norm Charlton, and Randy Myers.
Between them, the Nasty Boys combined for 44 saves (Dibble with 11, Charlton with 2, and Myers with 31). Their nickname came from the lyrics of Janet Jackson’s 1986 hit "Nasty” (US #3). It was also a play on the Detroit Pistons' "Bad Boys" name that was used during that team’s 1989 NBA Championship season.
The 1990 Reds got off to a fast start. They went 41–21 through 62 games. However, they split the remaining 100 games 50–50 to end up with a 91–71 record, still good enough to finish five games ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Reds clinched the National League West division on Saturday, September 29 in a rain-shortened, seven-inning 3 to 1 home loss to the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers lost to the Giants the same day, mathematically clinching the division for Cincinnati with four games remaining.
In the League Championship series the Reds faced the Pittsburgh Pirates, led by Barry Bonds, Andy Van Slyke, and Bobby Bonilla. The Reds triumphed in six games, which propelled them to the World Series, where they faced the Oakland A’s, the 1989 World Champions.
The A’s had complied a Major League-best 103-59 record and dispatched the Boston Red Sox in four games in the American League Championship Series. They were heavy favorites to beat the Reds.
In the series, Reds manager Lou Pinella faced his old friend Tony La Russa. The two were once teammates for Tampa’s American Legion Post 248.
The series began on October 16, 1990, at old Riverfront Stadium. The Reds won the first game 7-0. The following night’s contest was much closer, with the Reds coming out on top 5 to 4, as they walked it off in the bottom of the 10th inning. Joe Oliver hit a single down the third base line that drove in Billy Bates.
Game 3 was played Friday night in Oakland. The Reds made easy work of the A’s, winning 8 to 3. Game 4, the following night, was a little closer with the A’s holding a one-run lead through the bottom of the seventh. However, the Reds scored in two in the top of the eighth inning to capture the game and series. It was the fifth, and last, time the Reds won the World Series.
828 comments
Natasha Thompson
My name is Natasha Thompson from the USA/Texas.. Am so overwhelmed with gratitude to let the world know how Dr Kachi, the great spell caster changed my life for good. It all started when I lost my job and I was down financially and emotionally because I couldn’t be able provide for my two kids and staying home all day Jobless it’s not easy until I was checking on the internet when I saw a series of testimonies hearing people winning the Powerball lottery, I didn’t believed, but being poor no job you have no option. I gave it a try and I contacted Dr Kachi who told me what i have to do before I can become a big lottery winner and I accepted. He made special prayers for me in his temple and gave me the required numbers to play the lottery game and when I used the numbers to play it, I won a massive $344.6 million Powerball jackpot. I was so happy and I choose to review my winning in any platform, I would love other people to seek help from Dr Kachi through Text and Call: +1 (209) 893-8075 or email drkachispellcast@gmail.com by his website: https://drkachispellcaster.wixsite.com/my-site
adele
It gladdens my heart knowing i am able to come out here and tell people about Dr Lukas who fixed the problems i had in marriage and everything he did for me foster the joy and happiness between me and my husband. I was devasted when i almost lost my husband to another woman all because i had some issues with him and unknown to me also, a lady was out there doing everything possible to take my man from me. He actually left home for quite sometime and every effort i made to get him back never yeild any good result. I had to seek help from Dr Lukas who in his goodness swiftly came to my aid and fix the problem i had. My husband is back home to me and my daughter and this is mostly the best thing that has happened to me in a long while. No doubt the result of his works never fails to manifest after 2 days. You can reach out to him via email: okukutemple@gmail.com and also his WhatsApp number +44-7469-341745.
Chris Bradley
Even when I dated my wife for years, cohabited with her and vetted her thoroughly and ensured her family accepted me to part of them, the fact that ferminity is mallaeble came to play out in my marriage. She had some close friends who were single and most are still single till date. They had a huge influence on my wife and that alone always made us had issues. Eventually she left me and i had to seek help from Dr Isikolo knowing he is capable of restoring the love and happiness we shared and to also get her back to me. I complied with everything Dr Isikolo told me and my wife came back home with regrets of paying attention to fake friends and we are happy together again now. email him: isikolosolutionhome@gmail.com or might as well text him via WhatsApp on: +2348133261196
Christopher Morris
I met my wife when I was working and living in Alaska. Ever since we got married, it has been all good till she decided to go for a summit in another state where she met someone who became closer to her and eventually he eloped with her. All my efforts to get back home to me was all in vain and her family did their best to reunite us but nothing worked. Just like everyone else, I came in contact with Dr Isikolo and he eventually did wonders and now my wife is back to me. It was revealed that she was hypnotized by the guy who eloped with her. I am glad I never let my emotions get the best of me to have ended my marriage with her. Dr Isikolo is a strong spell caster and trust him when he says the results will manifest just after 48 hours. Contact him now if you need any help webpage: https://isikolo-temple.com or text him on WhatsApp him on +2348133261196
Webber Burton
ICC SERVICES SAVED MY ASS:
For many people and businesses, navigating the often-dangerous landscape of financial loss can be an intimidating and overwhelming process. It is always advisable to exercise caution and diligence when investing or transacting with Bitcoin to avoid falling victim to scammers. If you are a victim of a carefully orchestrated fraud, contacting ICC recovery service is the best retrieval measure to take to limit further damage. They specialize in cybersecurity, digital forensics, and recovering lost crypto assets from all types of scams and online thefts. ICC Recovery Services recovered 10 BTC stolen from me by a fake investment platform with minimal consulting fees. However, it is important to note that the vast majority of Bitcoin scams are difficult to recover due to their decentralized and pseudonymous nature, especially when liquidated. This is why ICC Recovery Services is the industry leader in recovering stolen assets from binary options scams, cryptocurrencies, forex and Ponzi schemes due to their excellent track record and tireless support to victims. They have countless references in their ranking and based on my experience with them, I can confirm that they are the best choice for you. If your situation is similar to mine, please use the email below to get in touch with a specialist in recovering funds after cyber-attacks.
Email: (ironcladcyber@techie.com)
Gmail:(Ironcladcyberrecovery@gmail.com)
Leave a comment
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.