Known variously as the Bay Area Series and BART Series (for Bay Area Rapid Transit), the 1989 Fall Classic opened in Oakland, and Athletics ace Dave Stewart was brilliant, tossing a complete-game five-hitter to shut out the Giants, 5-0.

The results were similar in Game 2. Mike Moore and two relievers limited the Giants to four hits and one run, while the A's tallied four in the fourth inning - highlighted by Terry Steinbach's three-run homer - on their way to a 5-1 victory.

The World Series shifted across the Bay to San Francisco for Game 3. But just moments before the game was scheduled to start, a major earthquake shook Candlestick Park. The stadium suffered only minor damage, but elsewhere the area suffered billions of dollars of damage, and dozens of people were killed. Commissioner of Baseball Fay Vincent immediately postponed Game 3, and delayed announcing when, where, and even if the Series would be resumed. Finally, after consulting with public officials, Vincent scheduled Game 3 at Candlestick Park on October 27, 10 days after the earthquake.

The break didn't help the Giants. Dave Henderson stroked a two-run double in the first inning, and later clouted solo homers in both the fourth and fifth innings. Jose Canseco blasted a three-run shot just before Henderson's second homer, and the rout was on. By the time the Giants batted in the ninth, they trailed 13-3, and their four runs that frame were much too little, much too late.

Game 4 was more of the same, as the A's pounded Giant pitchers early, taking an 8-0 lead, leaving the Giants to attempt another (futile) comeback. Trailing 9-6 in the ninth, the San Francisco hitters went down meekly before A's superstar closer Dennis Eckersley, and the Athletics were champions thanks to an impressive though tragedy-marred sweep.

Path to the World Series
ALCS: Oakland over Toronto (4 games to 1)
NLCS: San Francisco over Chicago (4 games to 1)

Managers: Tony LaRussa, OAK; Roger Craig, SF

MVP: Dave Stewart, OAK: 2-0, 1.69 ERA, 16 IP, 14 K