The 1989 World Series stands out in baseball history not just for the competition between two Bay Area rivals, but for an unprecedented natural disaster that brought the event to a halt. This championship series pitted the Oakland Athletics, the American League champions, against the San Francisco Giants, the National League champions. Dubbed the "Battle of the Bay" due to both teams hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, it was a highly anticipated
matchup. However, the series would ultimately be remembered more for the powerful Loma Prieta earthquake that struck just before Game 3, causing a significant delay and forever linking the event to this seismic event.
A Historic California Rivalry
This World Series marked the third all-California matchup in the history of the event, and it was also the fourth time the Athletics and Giants had faced each other in the Fall Classic. The previous three encounters occurred when the Giants were based in New York and the Athletics in Philadelphia. The New York Giants had defeated the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1905 World Series, four games to one. The Athletics then claimed victory over the Giants in the 1911 World Series, four games to two, and again in the 1913 Fall Classic, also four games to one. The 76-year gap between these matchups was the longest in World Series history at the time, a record that would stand until 2018. This series was also notable as the first time two franchises had met in the World Series after having previously played each other when both were based in different cities.
The Giants were making their first World Series appearance since 1962, while the Athletics were in their second consecutive Fall Classic, having also played in the 1988 Series. The regional rivalry added an extra layer of excitement, with fans from both sides of the Bay eager to see their team emerge victorious. The series was set to be a memorable one, even before the unforeseen events unfolded.
The Loma Prieta Earthquake and Its Aftermath
The most defining moment of the 1989 World Series occurred on October 17, just before the scheduled start of Game 3. At approximately 5:04 PM PDT, the Loma Prieta earthquake struck. This powerful earthquake caused significant damage across Oakland and San Francisco, particularly affecting the Cypress Street Viaduct in Oakland and the Marina District in San Francisco. The Bay Bridge's upper deck also sustained damage. Candlestick Park, the Giants' home stadium where Game 3 was to be played, suffered damage to its upper deck, with pieces of concrete falling from the baffle at the top of the stadium. The power was also knocked out, plunging the ballpark into darkness.
Concerns for the safety of everyone present in the ballpark, coupled with the loss of power, led to the immediate postponement of Game 3. This interruption resulted in a ten-day delay, making October 28 the latest end date ever for a World Series at that time, tying the 1981 World Series. Had the series gone the full seven games, it could have extended into November for the first time in history. Fay Vincent, who had recently become the commissioner of baseball after the passing of Bart Giamatti, presided over his first World Series and dedicated it to his predecessor's memory. The series eventually resumed on October 27 and concluded the following day, forever known in the U.S. as the "Earthquake Series."
A Swift Conclusion for the Athletics
Despite the dramatic interruption, the Oakland Athletics ultimately swept the San Francisco Giants in a clear 4-0 victory. This dominant performance by the Athletics secured them the championship. The series' unique circumstances, from the intense Bay Area rivalry to the devastating earthquake, ensured its place in baseball lore. The Athletics' triumph, coming after such an extraordinary delay, added another layer to the narrative of this unforgettable World Series.
