1990 Cincinnati Reds

The World Series is always hoped to be a relatively even matchup. It makes for a more exciting matchup that goes to the decisive and stressful Game 7 where let the best men win. It doesn't always happen. Sometimes you have one team that is such a juggernaut going in that all the experts agree is a total mismatch. Think in 1998 of the Yankees over the Padres, or the '76 Big Red Machine over the Yankees. But baseball is funny, the best (or even elite) teams don't always walk away champion. 1960 Pirates fans still won't let go of the Pirates over Yankees upset. Heck, the 1903 World Series was supposed to easily be taken by the Pirates, but the Americans had other plans. What's even more rare than an upset victory of an underdog against a heavily favored juggernaut? What about when a heavy underdog not only wins the World Series, but sweeps?

The 1990 Cincinnati Reds were starting fresh at manager with Lou Piniella after a weak showing the previous season. Piniella was best known for his other stops as manager, from his long stint in Seattle that included the 2001 season with 116 wins, to his time in Tampa Bay (the Devil Rays actually traded for him) turning them around for their first winning record in history, and even his time as Yankees manager where he traded back and forth with Billy Martin for a bit. But it was in Cincinnati where Sweet Lou would win his only World Series as manager.

The team was headlined by it's elite bullpen, dubbed "The Nasty Boys" comprised of all star Closer Randy Myers and Relievers Rob Dibble (also an all star) and Norm Charlton. As a group, the Reds led the NL with 50 Saves, with 31 coming from Myers and 44 in total from the Nasty Boys together. In addition to Dibble and Myers going to the all star game, the Reds sent Jack Armstrong as pitcher and offensive leaders Barry Larkin and Chris Sabo.

The Reds opened the season with 9 straight wins and never looked back, leading the NL West from wire to wire, finishing 5 games better than the 2nd place Dodgers who to their credit never gave up. In the NLCS, the Pittsburgh Pirates opposed them with the top two picks for MVP of Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla. The series went 6 games, where all the Reds wins needed all of the Nasty Boys; Myers and Dibble picking up the 4 Saves together and Norm Charlton grabbing the Win in the clincher.

In the World Series, the Reds would oppose the defending champion Oakland Athletics. The A's were in their 3rd straight World Series, featured 3 future Hall of Famers and a couple of the most prolific steroid users in baseball. It was an easy call to assume the A's would win the series, but the Reds weren't fazed as they drubbed Oakland 7-0 in Game 1.

Game 2 saw the Athletics grab a 4-2 lead, but that Cincinnati bullpen behind the Nasty Boys shut down Oaklands bats and allowed the Reds the chance to tie it up and walk it off in the 10th for the 2-0 series lead. After another lopsided win, the Reds looked to sweep the series. Jose Rijo gave up an early run in Game 4, but completely shut down the A's into the 9th, which by then the Reds had seized a 2-1 lead, bringing in Nasty Boy Myers to finish the game and the series for what would turn out to be Oakland's final shot at a World Series championship, and Cincinnati's final win to date.

World Series MVP Jose Rijo won Games 1 and 4 to help quiet the potent Oakland lineup and allow his team to sweep the series. In the regular season he led the team with 152 Strikeouts and a 2.70 ERA.

Ever leave work early, only for your boss to try to call you back in because he might need you? Yup, even professional baseball players int he World Series aren't immune. His team high 15 Wins and the fact that he left for the birth of his son bought him some slack with management.

The other major Starters int he rotation. Both hold their own well, allowing Cincinnati to have the leagues 2nd best ERA and 2nd most Ks.

The Nasty Boys. Most teams would be happy to have one elite option in the bullpen like Mariano Rivera or Trevor Hoffman, but THREE big time arms to call upon? Ending games after 6 or 7 innings is a huge plus to any aspiring world champion.

Other Starters and bullpen arms, because the Nasty Boys can't pitch every inning of every game.

The only Hall of Famer on the field for the Reds, Barry Larkin was his typical speedy great defensive Shortstop self in 1990. His .301 BA led the team.

The '90 Reds weren't known for their power hitting. Sabo had the most on roster with just 25. He added 2 more in the World Series.

Davis had 24 long balls of his own, plus one more against the Athletics, to go with his team high 86 RBI.

The rest of the championship lineup. Solid on-base all around, with decent speed. Along with Larkin, Billy Hatcher led the team with 30 Stolen Bases.
Joe Oliver looking snazzy after his World Series walk off hit.

Bench and role players on offense. Love seeing the occasional Showdown original like Jeff Reed, who looks pretty similar to what he does in the OG set.

Blast from the past, Ken Griffey was a part of the Big Red Machine of the 1970's who found his way back to Cincinnati for the 1990 season. Problem was he was a far cry from his 1976 ability. To make room for better talent, the Reds would release Griffey in August to facilitate their pennant push. Ken Sr would be fine, as a few days later he'd sign with Seattle to play with his son.