1989 Oakland A's
The 1989 Oakland Athletics: a dynasty in the making, capped by an earthquake World Series sweep.
The 1989 Oakland Athletics season was the 89th season for the Oakland Athletics franchise, all as members of the American League, and their 22nd season in Oakland. The Athletics finished the season in first place in the American League West, with a record of 99 wins and 63 losses, seven games in front of the Kansas City Royals.
Quick Facts
- Manager
- Tony La Russa
- League
- American League West
- World series result
- Won vs. San Francisco Giants, 4–0
- Defining event
- Loma Prieta Earthquake before Game 3 (October 17, 1989)
- Key batters
- Rickey Henderson
- Mark McGwire
- José Canseco
- Key pitchers
- Mike Moore, Bob Welch
- Home ballpark
- Oakland Coliseum
Lore & Background
Oakland dominated the American League, earning their second consecutive AL West title, as well as marking the second straight year in which they finished with the best record in all of baseball. A's pitcher Dave Stewart recorded his third straight season of earning 20 or more wins while Rickey Henderson put on a dazzling offensive performance in the postseason as he approached the prospects of landing a three million dollar contract for the following season. The team defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in five games in the ALCS, then swept their cross-Bay rivals, the San Francisco Giants, in an earthquake-marred World Series. The Athletics looked to be a future dynasty by the close of the 1989 season.
Reader's Guide
The longest winning streak from July 18–25, 1989 was 8 games.
Did You Know?
- Ken Griffey Jr. made his major league baseball debut on April 3, 1989, in a game against the Oakland Athletics.
- On August 22, 1989, Nolan Ryan struck out Rickey Henderson for the 5,000th strikeout in his career.
- Mike Moore signed as a free agent with the Oakland Athletics on November 28, 1988.
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