1990 Cincinnati Reds season

1990 Cincinnati Reds
1990 NL West Champions 1990 NL Champions 1990 World Series Champions
Major League affiliations
National League (since 1890)
National League West (since 1969)
Location
Riverfront Stadium (since 1970)
Cincinnati, Ohio (since 1882)
Other information
Owner(s)	Marge Schott
General manager(s)	Bob Quinn
Manager(s)	Lou Piniella
Local television	WLWT (Johnny Bench, Tom Hume, Steve Lamar, Gordy Coleman)
Local radio	WLW (Marty Brennaman, Joe Nuxhall)
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The Cincinnati Reds' 1990 season was a season in American baseball. It consisted of the 91-71 Reds winning the National League West by five games over the second-place Dodgers, as well as the National League Championship Series in six games over the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the World Series in a four-game sweep over the overwhelming favorite Oakland Athletics, who had won the World Series the previous year. It was their fifth World Championship for the Reds, and their first since winning two consecutive titles in 1975 and '76.

Offseason

• December 6, 1989: John Franco and Don Brown (minors) were traded by the Reds to the New York Mets for Randy Myers and Kip Gross.^[1]
• December 12, 1989: Tim Leary and Van Snider were traded by the Reds to the New York Yankees for Hal Morris and Rodney Imes (minors).^[2]

Regular season

Eric Davis in 1990

Led by new manager Lou Piniella, the Reds achieved the rare feat of being in first place everyday of the season ("wire-to-wire").^[3] Starting pitcher Jack Armstrong was a catalyst for the team's fast start, as he won 8 of his first 9 games and was 11-3 through the All Star break. Because of his strong first half, Armstrong was selected as the starting pitcher for the All Star Game.

1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Cincinnati was well represented at the 1990 All-Star Game in Chicago. In addition to Armstrong at pitcher, Chris Sabo, Barry Larkin, Rob Dibble, and Randy Myers were reserves.

The Nasty Boys

Another new face in the Reds locker room was Randy Myers. He was acquired from the New York Mets for closer John Franco, and became part of the Nasty Boys, along with Rob Dibble and Norm Charlton. Charlton, Dibble, and Myers combined for 44 saves (Myers with 31, Dibble with 11, and Charlton with 2). Myers would become one of the league's elite closers while being selected as an All-Star in 1990. Myers would win his second World Championship as the Reds swept the Oakland Athletics.

"The Nasty Boys — The Reds' three flame-throwing relievers, Randy Myers, Rob Dibble and Norm Charlton, emerged as arguably the deepest and most talented late-inning pitchers in postseason history." — John Erardi and John Fay, The Cincinnati Enquirer ^[4]

Season standings

NL West	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
Cincinnati Reds	91	71	0.562	—	46–35	45–36
Los Angeles Dodgers	86	76	0.531	5	47–34	39–42
San Francisco Giants	85	77	0.525	6	49–32	36–45
Houston Astros	75	87	0.463	16	49–32	26–55
San Diego Padres	75	87	0.463	16	37–44	38–43
Atlanta Braves	65	97	0.401	26	37–44	28–53

Record vs. opponents

1990 National League Records Sources:
Team	ATL	CHC	CIN	HOU	LAD	MON	NYM	PHI	PIT	SD	SF	STL
Atlanta	—	6–6	8–10	5–13	6–12	6–6	4–8	5–7	5–7	8–10	5–13	7–5
Chicago	6–6	—	4–8	6–6	3–9	11–7	9–9	11–7	4–14	8–4	7–5	8–10
Cincinnati	10–8	8–4	—	11–7	9–9	9–3	6–6	7–5	6–6	9–9	7–11	9–3
Houston	13–5	6–6	7–11	—	9–9	5–7	5–7	5–7	5–7	4–14	10–8	6–6
Los Angeles	12–6	9–3	9–9	9–9	—	6–6	5–7	8–4	4–8	9–9	8–10	7–5
Montreal	6–6	7–11	3–9	7–5	6–6	—	8–10	10–8	13–5	7–5	7–5	11–7
New York	8–4	9–9	6–6	7–5	7–5	10–8	—	10–8	10–8	5–7	7–5	12–6
Philadelphia	7-5	7–11	5–7	7–5	4–8	8–10	8–10	—	6–12	7–5	8–4	10–8
Pittsburgh	7–5	14–4	6–6	7–5	8–4	5–13	8–10	12–6	—	10–2	8–4	10–8
San Diego	10–8	4–8	9–9	14–4	9–9	5–7	7–5	5–7	2–10	—	7–11	3–9
San Francisco	13–5	5–7	11–7	8–10	10–8	5–7	5–7	4–8	4–8	11–7	—	9–3
St. Louis	5–7	10–8	3–9	6–6	5–7	7–11	6–12	8–10	8–10	9–3	3–9	—

Notable transactions

• June 4, 1990: 1990 Major League Baseball draft
  • Dan Wilson was drafted by the Reds in the 1st round.^[5]
  • John Roper was drafted by the Reds in the 12th round.^[6]
• June 9, 1990: Ron Robinson was traded by the Cincinnati Reds with Bob Sebra to the Milwaukee Brewers for Billy Bates and Glenn Braggs.^[7]
• June 18, 1990: Rolando Roomes was selected off waivers by the Montreal Expos from the Cincinnati Reds.^[8]
• August 24, 1990: Ken Griffey, Sr. was released by the Reds.^[9]
• August 30, 1990: Bill Doran was traded by the Houston Astros to the Cincinnati Reds for players to be named later.^[10]
• September 7, 1990: Butch Henry was sent by the Cincinnati Reds to the Houston Astros to complete an earlier deal made on August 30, 1990.^[11] Catcher Terry McGriff was also sent by the Cincinnati Reds to complete the deal.^[12]

Roster

1990 Cincinnati Reds
Roster
Pitchers 40 Jack Armstrong 48 Tim Birtsas 38 Keith Brown 32 Tom Browning 37 Norm Charlton 49 Rob Dibble 59 Kip Gross 45 Chris Hammond 20 Danny Jackson 43 Tim Layana 42 Rick Mahler 33 Gino Minutelli 28 Randy Myers 27 José Rijo 33 Ron Robinson 56 Rosario Rodríguez 47 Scott Scudder		Catchers  8 Terry McGriff  9 Joe Oliver 34 Jeff Reed 55 Glenn Sutko  8 Alex Treviño Infielders 12 Billy Bates 25 Todd Benzinger 19 Bill Doran  7 Mariano Duncan 30 Ken Griffey 11 Barry Larkin 26 Terry Lee 23 Hal Morris 16 Ron Oester 10 Luis Quiñones 17 Chris Sabo		Outfielders 15 Glenn Braggs 44 Eric Davis 22 Billy Hatcher 21 Paul O'Neill 36 Rolando Roomes 29 Herm Winningham Other batters 12 Paul Noce		Manager 41 Lou Piniella Coaches  4 Jackie Moore (Bench) 24 Tony Pérez (Hitting/First Base)  2 Sam Perlozzo (Third Base)  3 Larry Rothschild (Bullpen) 35 Stan Williams

Opening Day starters

• Todd Benzinger, First Base
• Mariano Duncan, Second Base
• Chris Sabo, Third Base
• Barry Larkin, Shortstop
• Joe Oliver, Catcher
• Billy Hatcher, Left field
• Eric Davis, Center field
• Paul O'Neill, Right field
• Tom Browning, Pitcher

Player stats

= Indicates team leader

Batting

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Pos	Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
C	Oliver, JoeJoe Oliver	121	364	84	.231	8	52
1B	Benzinger, ToddTodd Benzinger	118	376	95	.253	5	46
2B	Duncan, MarianoMariano Duncan	125	435	133	.306	10	55
3B	Sabo, ChrisChris Sabo	148	567	153	.270	25	71
SS	Larkin, BarryBarry Larkin	158	614	185	.301	7	67
LF	Hatcher, BillyBilly Hatcher	139	504	139	.276	5	25
CF	Davis, EricEric Davis	127	453	118	.260	24	86
RF	O'Neill, PaulPaul O'Neill	145	503	136	.270	16	78

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
Morris, HalHal Morris	107	309	105	.340	7	36
Braggs, GlennGlenn Braggs	72	201	60	.299	6	28
Winningham, HermHerm Winningham	84	160	41	.256	3	17
Quiñones, LuisLuis Quiñones	83	145	35	.241	2	17
Griffey, Sr., KenKen Griffey, Sr.	46	63	13	.206	1	8
Roomes, RolandoRolando Roomes	30	61	13	.213	2	7
Doran, BillBill Doran	17	59	22	.373	1	5
Treviño, AlexAlex Treviño	7	7	3	.429	0	1

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
Browning, TomTom Browning	35	227.2	15	9	3.80	99
Rijo, JoséJosé Rijo	29	197	14	8	2.70	152
Armstrong, JackJack Armstrong	29	166	12	9	3.42	110
Jackson, DannyDanny Jackson	22	117.1	6	6	3.61	76
Robinson, RonRon Robinson	6	31.1	2	2	4.88	14

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
Relief pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G W L SV ERA SO Myers, RandyRandy Myers 66 4 6 31 2.08 98 Dibble, RobRob Dibble 68 8 3 11 1.74 136 Charlton, NormNorm Charlton 56 12 9 2 2.74 117 Rodríguez, RosarioRosario Rodríguez 9 0 0 0 6.10 8 Brown, KeithKeith Brown 8 0 0 0 4.76 8 Gross, KipKip Gross 5 0 0 0 4.26 3 National League Championship Series Game 1 October 4: Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Pittsburgh 0 0 1 2 0 0 1 0 0 4 7 1 Cincinnati 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 5 0 W: Bob Walk (1-0)   L: Norm Charlton (0-1)   S: Ted Power (1) HR: PIT – Sid Bream (1)  CIN – None Pitchers: PIT – Walk (6), Belinda (2), Patterson (1/3), Power (2/3)  CIN – Rijo (5^1⁄3), Charlton (2^2⁄3), Dibble (1) Attendance: 52,911  Time: 2:51 Game 2 October 5: Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Pittsburgh 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 6 0 Cincinnati 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 X 2 5 0 W: Tom Browning (1-0)   L: Doug Drabek (0-1)   S: Randy Myers (1) HR: PIT – José Lind (1)  CIN – None Pitchers: PIT – Drabek (8)  CIN – Browning (6), Dibble (1^1⁄3), Myers (1^2⁄3) Attendance: 54,456  Time: 2:38 Game 3 October 8: Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Cincinnati 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 6 13 1 Pittsburgh 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 3 8 0 W: Danny Jackson (1-0)   L: Zane Smith (0-1)   S: Randy Myers (2) HR: PIT – None   CIN – Billy Hatcher (1), Mariano Duncan (1) Pitchers: PIT – Z. Smith (5), Landrum (1), Smiley (2), Belinda (1)  CIN – Jackson (5^1⁄3), Dibble (1^2⁄3), Charlton (1), Myers (1) Attendance: 45,611  Time: 2:51 Game 4 October 9: Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Cincinnati 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 1 5 10 1 Pittsburgh 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 3 8 0 W: José Rijo (1-0)   L: Bob Walk (1-1)   S: Rob Dibble (1) HR: PIT – Jay Bell (1)  CIN – Paul O'Neill (1), Chris Sabo (1) Pitchers: PIT – Walk (7), Power (2)  CIN – Rijo (7), Myers (1), Dibble (1) Attendance: 50,461  Time: 3:00 Game 5 October 10: Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Cincinnati 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 7 0 Pittsburgh 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 X 3 6 1 W: Doug Drabek (1-1)   L: Tom Browning (1-1)   S: Bob Patterson (1) HR: PIT – None   CIN – None Pitchers: PIT – Drabek (8^1⁄3), Patterson (2/3)  CIN – Browning (5), Mahler (1^2⁄3), Charlton (1/3), Scudder (1) Attendance: 48,221  Time: 2:48 Game 6 October 12: Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Pittsburgh 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 Cincinnati 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 X 2 9 0 W: Norm Charlton (1-1)   L: Zane Smith (0-2)   S: Randy Myers (3) HR: PIT – None   CIN – None Pitchers: PIT – Power (2^1⁄3), Z. Smith (4), Belinda (2/3), Landrum (1)  CIN – Jackson (6), Charlton (1), Myers (2) Attendance: 56,079  Time: 2:57 World series The World Series between the Oakland Athletics and the Reds featured friends at the managerial level. Athletics manager Tony La Russa and Reds manager Lou Piniella were old friends and teammates from their Tampa American Legion Post 248 team. Before the Series, while Peter Gammons of ESPN had predicted an Oakland sweep, 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. Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott, who was drunk at the time,[13] 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 first inning of Game 1, Reds center fielder Eric Davis hit a home run in left center that nearly hit the CBS television studio where anchor Pat O'Brien was sitting. Also in Game 1, Billy Hatcher helped out offensively in a big way by starting his streak of 7 straight hits in the series (after a walk in the 1st). José Rijo settled in after the early lead and cruised to a surprise Cincinnati victory. The following day, the headline of the Cincinnati Post newspaper captured the city's surprise with the headline, "DAVIS STUNS GOLIATH." 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. Game 4 was a pitchers duel between Dave Stewart and José Rijo (the Game 1 starters) that eventually culminated in the Reds sweeping the series. The A's got on the board in the first when Willie McGee doubled and Carney Lansford singled him in. The game remained 1-0 until the 8th when the Reds finally got to Stewart. Barry Larkin singled up the middle, Herm Winningham followed with a bunt single, and Paul O'Neill reached on a throwing error by Stewart that loaded the bases. Glen Braggs's groundout and Hal Morris's sacrifice fly gave the Reds a precious 2-1 edge which was preserved by both Rijo, who at one point retired 20 straight batters. Randy Myers, one of the Nasty Boys, appeared in relief and got the final two outs. The 1990 World Series would be the Reds 5th championship but would also be remembered as one of the biggest upsets in baseball history. This was the last World Series to be scheduled to begin play on a Tuesday, and the only since 1984. The schedule called for the seven-game series to be held Tue-Wed, Fri-Sat-Sun, Tue-Wed. Games 5, 6, and 7, however were not necessary. Highlights The three primary members of the bullpen; Norm Charlton, Randy Myers, and Rob Dibble (who threw a fastball in excess of 99 mph) were known as the "Nasty Boys" – and wouldn't let the A's score against them in nearly nine innings of work. Media talk of a forthcoming A's dynasty led Reds fans to call their own team the "dyNASTY." 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). Cincinnati Reds' pitcher José Rijo became the second Dominican born player to earn World Series MVP honors. The first Dominican born to earn World Series MVP honors was Pedro Guerrero of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Matchups Game 1 October 16, 1990 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Oakland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 1 Cincinnati 2 0 2 0 3 0 0 0 X 7 10 0 W: José Rijo (1-0)   L: Dave Stewart (0-1)   HR: CIN – Eric Davis (1) Game 2 October 17, 1990 at Riverfront Stadium, in Cincinnati Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E Oakland 1 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 10 2 Cincinnati 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 5 14 2 W: Rob Dibble (1-0)   L: Dennis Eckersley (0-1)   HR: OAK – José Canseco (1) Game 3 October 19, 1990 at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Cincinnati 0 1 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 14 1 Oakland 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 7 1 W: Tom Browning (1-0)   L: Mike Moore (0-1)   HR: CIN – Chris Sabo 2 (2)  OAK – Harold Baines (1), Rickey Henderson (1) Game 4 October 20, 1990 at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California mlb.com coverage of Game 4 Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Cincinnati 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 7 1 Oakland 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 W: José Rijo (2-0)   L: Dave Stewart (0-2)  S: Randy Myers (1) Composite Box 1990 World Series (4-0): Cincinnati Reds (N.L.) over Oakland Athletics (A.L.) Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H E Cincinnati Reds 4 1 9 1 3 0 0 3 0 1 22 45 4 Oakland Athletics 2 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 28 5 Total Attendance: 208,544   Average Attendance: 52,136 Winning Player's Share: – $112,534,   Losing Player's Share – $86,961 *Includes Playoffs and World Series Awards and honors Jack Armstrong, Pitcher of the Month Award, May Rob Dibble, Relief Pitcher and Randy Myers, Relief Pitcher, NLCS MVP Billy Hatcher, Outfield, Babe Ruth Award Billy Hatcher, Highest Batting average in a World Series [3] Barry Larkin, Shortstop, National League Silver Slugger Award José Rijo, Pitcher, World Series MVP All-Star Game Jack Armstrong, Pitcher, Starter Chris Sabo, Third Base, Starter Rob Dibble, Relief Pitcher, Reserve Barry Larkin, Shortstop, Reserve Randy Myers, Relief Pitcher, Reserve Farm system Level Team League Manager AAA Nashville Sounds American Association Pete Mackanin AA Chattanooga Lookouts Southern League Jim Tracy A Cedar Rapids Reds Midwest League Gary Denbo A Charleston Wheelers South Atlantic League Dave Miley Rookie GCL Reds Gulf Coast League Sam Mejías Rookie Billings Mustangs Pioneer League Gerry Groninger LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Charleston[14] References Randy Myers at Baseball Reference Tim Leary at Baseball Reference Great Baseball Feats, Facts and Figures, 2008 Edition, p.366, David Nemec and Scott Flatow, A Signet Book, Penguin Group, New York, ISBN 978-0-451-22363-0 "Surprise '90 Series sweep of A's defined team effort". Reds.enquirer.com. Retrieved August 24, 2012. Baseball Draft: 1st Round of the 1990 June Draft Baseball-Reference.com John Roper at Baseball Reference "Ron Robinson Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 24, 2012. "Rolando Roomes Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 24, 2012. Ken Griffey at Baseball Reference "Bill Doran Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 24, 2012. "Butch Henry Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 24, 2012. "Terry McGriff Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 24, 2012. Marge Schott: 'A mouth unfiltered' Accessed April 27, 2014 Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3rd edition. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007 1990 Cincinnati Reds season at Baseball Reference 1990 Cincinnati Reds season at Baseball Almanac 1990 Reds: The Nasty Boys