Todd Benzinger a former San Francisco Giants and outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds who passed away on Wed Oct 21, 2026 (Todd Benzinger facebook)
From My Notebook: World Series Memories. 1990
By Amaury Pi-González
The 1990 World Series was a sweep by an inferior Cincinnati Reds team over the Oakland A’s; In game four, Reds outfielder Todd Benzinger, who had just passed away at 63, made the final out. This four-game series stunned the Oakland A’s and their fans, many of whom traveled to Cincinnati.
The A’s had a chance to win three consecutive World Series in 88, 89, and 90. In the end, they won the Earthquake Series against the Giants in San Francisco in 1989. The A’s were also a much better team than the LA Dodgers in 1988, but Dodgers’ pitcher Orel Hershiser dominated in that series, giving the Dodgers the crown, and he was the MVP.
The 1990 World Series particularly brings back memories, as the A’s team hotel in Cincinnati was sold out; the team secured a Holiday Inn about 25 minutes away across the Ohio River in Kentucky, as yours truly and my wife Gail, and other A’s personnel stayed there.
This 1990 World Series was the typical upset. The Oakland A’s were a much better team than the Reds, but everything went right for Cincinnati and the other way for the A’s. That’s baseball.
In conclusion: The A’s were a dominant team back then and missed the chance to win three World Series in a row, 88, 89, 90. That would have been the second time in A’s history to accomplish such a feat, as they also won in 72,73,74. Only the New York Yankees can claim so much success in World Series history.
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
