1990 Cincinnati Reds season

Major League Baseball season March 2026 November 2013 Cincinnati Reds 1990 World Series championsNational League championsNational League West champions National League West Riverfront Stadium Cincinnati, Ohio 91–71 (.562) 1st Marge Schott Bob Quinn Lou Piniella WLWT (Johnny Bench, Tom Hume, Steve LaMar, Gordy Coleman) WLW(Marty Brennaman, Joe Nuxhall) The 1990 Cincinnati Reds season was the 121st season for the franchise in Major League Baseball, and their 21st and 20th full season at Riverfront Stadium. Starting with a team best nine straight wins to open the season, as well as holding the top spot in the National League West every game during the season, the Reds went 41–21 after 62 games, splitting the remaining 100 games 50–50 to end up with a 91–71 record. It consisted of the 91–71 Reds winning the National League West by five games over the second-place Dodgers, as well as the NLCS 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 the fifth World Championship for the Reds, and their first since winning two consecutive titles in 1975 and '76. It is also their most recent championship to date. 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.Randy Myers at Baseball Reference 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).Tim Leary at Baseball Reference Regular season thumb|right|225px|Eric Davis in 1990 Led by new manager Lou Piniella, the Reds achieved the rare feat of being in first place every day of the season ("wire-to-wire").Great Baseball Feats, Facts and Figures, 2008 Edition, p.366, David Nemec and Scott Flatow, A Signet Book, Penguin Group, New York, 978-0-451-22363-0 They also became just the second National League team to do so after the '55 Dodgers.Wire to Wire! https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34822711/ Jack Brennan The Cincinnati Enquirer 1 Newspapers.com September 30, 1990 August 12, 2019 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. The Reds clinched the NL West division on Saturday September 29 in a rain-shortened, seven-inning 3–1 home loss to San Diego. The second-place Dodgers lost to the Giants at the same time, mathematically clinching the division for Cincinnati with four games remaining. Opening Day Due to the 1990 lockout, Opening Day was pushed back one week from April 2 to April 9. As a result, the Reds, who traditionally started every major league season with the first pitch at home on opening day, were forced to start on the road.Astros take Reds out to Opening Day (Part 1) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30376624/ John Fay The Cincinnati Enquirer 1 Newspapers.com April 9, 1990 August 12, 2019Astros take Reds out to Opening Day (Part 2) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34821531/ John Fay The Cincinnati Enquirer 1 Newspapers.com April 9, 1990 August 12, 2019 The Reds played three games at Houston and three games at Atlanta before returning for their home opener on Tuesday April 17. It was only the third time since 1876 that the Reds opened the season with an away game. The traditional Findlay Market parade, along with other customary opening day festivities, were held off until April 17 and rebranded "Reds Homecoming."https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34822129/ Red-hot Reds welcomed back (Part 1) John Fay The Cincinnati Enquirer 1 Newspapers.com April 17, 1990 August 12, 2019https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34822077/ Red-hot Reds welcomed back (Part 2) John Fay The Cincinnati Enquirer 14 Newspapers.com April 17, 1990 August 12, 2019 On a chilly 49° afternoon, the 6–0 Reds beat San Diego in front of a crowd of 38,384 at Riverfront Stadium - small for opening day standards - to improve to 7–0 on the season.Reds victory closes perfect opener https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34822285/ John Fay The Cincinnati Enquirer 1 Newspapers.com April 18, 1990 August 12, 2019 1990 Major League Baseball 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 Enquirerhttp://reds.enquirer.com/2002/06/23/red_surprise_90_series.html Surprise '90 Series sweep of A's defined team effort Reds.enquirer.com August 24, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20090414112259/http://reds.enquirer.com/2002/06/23/red_surprise_90_series.html April 14, 2009 dead Season standings Cincinnati Reds Record vs. opponents CIN Notable transactions June 4, 1990: 1990 Major League Baseball draft Dan Wilson was drafted by the Reds in the 1st round.Baseball Draft: 1st Round of the 1990 June Draft Baseball-Reference.com John Roper was drafted by the Reds in the 12th round.John Roper at Baseball Reference June 9, 1990: Ron Robinson was traded by the Cincinnati Reds with Bob Sebra to the Milwaukee Brewers for Billy Bates and Glenn Braggs.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/robinro01.shtml Ron Robinson Statistics and History Baseball-Reference.com August 24, 2012 June 18, 1990: Rolando Roomes was selected off waivers by the Montreal Expos from the Cincinnati Reds.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/roomero01.shtml Rolando Roomes Statistics and History Baseball-Reference.com August 24, 2012 August 24, 1990: Ken Griffey, Sr. was released by the Reds.Ken Griffey at Baseball Reference August 30, 1990: Bill Doran was traded by the Houston Astros to the Cincinnati Reds for players to be named later.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/doranbi02.shtml Bill Doran Statistics and History Baseball-Reference.com August 24, 2012 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.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/henrybu01.shtml Butch Henry Statistics and History Baseball-Reference.com August 24, 2012 Catcher Terry McGriff was also sent by the Cincinnati Reds to complete the deal.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcgrite01.shtml Terry McGriff Statistics and History Baseball-Reference.com August 24, 2012 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 (Pitching) Opening Day Lineup +Opening Day Starters # Name Position17 Chris Sabo 3B22 Billy Hatcher LF11 Barry Larkin SS44 Eric Davis CF21 Paul O'Neill RF25 Todd Benzinger 1B9 Joe Oliver C7 Mariano Duncan 2B32 Tom Browning P 1990 Opening Day Lineup at Baseball-Reference 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 Joe Oliver Joe Oliver (baseball) 121 364 84 .231 8 52 1B Todd Benzinger 118 376 95 .253 5 46 2B Mariano Duncan 125 435 133 .306 10 55 3B Chris Sabo 148 567 153 .270 25 71 SS Barry Larkin 158 614 185 .301 7 67 LF Billy Hatcher 139 504 139 .276 5 25 CF Eric Davis Eric Davis (baseball) 127 453 118 .260 24 86 RF Paul O'Neill Paul O'Neill (baseball) 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 Hal Morris 107 309 105 .340 7 36 Glenn Braggs 72 201 60 .299 6 28 Jeff Reed Jeff Reed (baseball) 72 175 44 .251 3 16 Herm Winningham 84 160 41 .256 3 17 Ron Oester 64 154 46 .299 0 13 Luis Quiñones Luis Quiñones (baseball) 83 145 35 .241 2 17 Ken Griffey, Sr. 46 63 13 .206 1 8 Rolando Roomes 30 61 13 .213 2 7 Bill Doran Bill Doran (second baseman) 17 59 22 .373 1 5 Terry Lee Terry Lee (baseball) 12 19 4 .211 0 3 Alex Treviño 7 7 3 .429 0 1 Billy Bates Billy Bates (baseball) 8 5 0 .000 0 0 Terry McGriff 2 4 0 .000 0 0 Paul Noce 1 1 1 1.000 0 0 Glenn Sutko 1 1 0 .000 0 0 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 Tom Browning 35 227.2 15 9 3.80 99 José Rijo 29 197.0 14 8 2.70 152 Jack Armstrong Jack Armstrong (baseball) 29 166.0 12 9 3.42 110 Danny Jackson 22 117.1 6 6 3.61 76 Ron Robinson Ron Robinson (baseball) 6 31.1 2 2 4.88 14 Chris Hammond 3 11.1 0 2 6.35 4 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 Rick Mahler 35 134.2 7 6 4.28 68 Scott Scudder 21 71.2 5 5 4.90 42 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 Randy Myers 66 4 6 31 2.08 98 Rob Dibble 68 8 3 11 1.74 136 Norm Charlton 56 12 9 2 2.74 117 Tim Layana 55 5 3 2 3.49 53 Tim Birtsas 29 1 3 0 3.86 41 Rosario Rodríguez 9 0 0 0 6.10 8 Keith Brown Keith Brown (baseball) 8 0 0 0 4.76 8 Kip Gross 5 0 0 0 4.26 3 Gino Minutelli 2 0 0 0 9.00 1 National League Championship Series 1990 National League Championship Series Game 1 October 4: Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati Team123456789RHEPittsburgh001200100471Cincinnati300000000350W: Bob Walk (1–0)   L: Norm Charlton (0–1)   S: Ted Power (1)HR: PIT – Sid Bream (1)  CIN – NonePitchers: PIT – Walk (6), Belinda (2), Patterson (1/3), Power (2/3)  CIN – Rijo (51 3), Charlton (22 3), Dibble (1)Attendance: 52,911  Time: 2:51 Game 2 October 5: Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati Team123456789RHEPittsburgh000010000160Cincinnati10001000X250W: Tom Browning (1–0)   L: Doug Drabek (0–1)   S: Randy Myers (1)HR: PIT – José Lind (1)  CIN – NonePitchers: PIT – Drabek (8)  CIN – Browning (6), Dibble (11 3), Myers (12 3)Attendance: 54,456  Time: 2:38 Game 3 October 8: Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Team123456789RHECincinnati0200300016131Pittsburgh000200010380W: 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 (51 3), Dibble (12 3), Charlton (1), Myers (1)Attendance: 45,611  Time: 2:51 Game 4 October 9: Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Team123456789RHECincinnati0002002015101Pittsburgh100100010380W: 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 Team123456789RHECincinnati100000010270Pittsburgh20010000X361W: Doug Drabek (1–1)   L: Tom Browning (1–1)   S: Bob Patterson (1)HR: PIT – None   CIN – NonePitchers: PIT – Drabek (81 3), Patterson (2/3)  CIN – Browning (5), Mahler (12 3), Charlton (1/3), Scudder (1)Attendance: 48,221  Time: 2:48 Game 6 October 12: Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati Team123456789RHEPittsburgh000010000113Cincinnati10000010X290W: Norm Charlton (1–1)   L: Zane Smith (0–2)   S: Randy Myers (3)HR: PIT – None   CIN – NonePitchers: PIT – Power (21 3), Z. Smith (4), Belinda (2/3), Landrum (1)  CIN – Jackson (6), Charlton (1), Myers (2)Attendance: 56,079  Time: 2:57 World Series 1990 World Series section April 2009 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. Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott, who was drunk at the time,Bass Mike Bass: Marge Schott in today's world ESPN.com 2014-02-28 https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/10532174/mlb-marge-schott-today-world 2025-03-21 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. Until 2020, 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, going 3-3 in the Game 1, then going 4-4 in Game 2 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). Both records still stand as of 2024. Cincinnati Reds' pitcher José Rijo became the second Dominican born player to earn World Series MVP honors, thanks to his 2 wins in the series, where he did not let the A's score a run, ending with a series ERA of 0.59. 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 Team123456789RHEOakland000000000091Cincinnati20203000X7100W: José Rijo (1–0)   L: Dave Stewart (0–1)  HR: CIN – Eric Davis (1) Game 2 October 17, 1990, at Riverfront Stadium, in Cincinnati Team12345678910RHEOakland10300000004102Cincinnati20010001015142W: 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 Team123456789RHECincinnati0170000008141Oakland021000000371W: 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 Team123456789RHECincinnati000000020271Oakland100000000121W: 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.) Team12345678910RHECincinnati Reds419130030122454Oakland Athletics22400000008285Total Attendance: 208,544   Average Attendance: 52,136Winning 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 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 Minor League Baseball AAA Nashville Sounds American Association Pete Mackanin AA Chattanooga Lookouts Southern League Jim Tracy A Cedar Rapids Reds Midwest League Dave Miley A Charleston Wheelers South Atlantic League Gary Denbo Rookie GCL Reds Gulf Coast League Sam Mejías Rookie Billings Mustangs Pioneer League Gerry GroningerLEAGUE CHAMPIONS: CharlestonJohnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3rd edition. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007 References 1990 Cincinnati Reds season at Baseball Reference 1990 Cincinnati Reds season at Baseball Almanac 1990 Reds: The Nasty Boys Category:National League West champion seasons Category:National League champion seasons Category:World Series champion seasons Category:Cincinnati Reds seasons Cincinnati Reds season Cinc