In this photo taken October 17, 1989, Oakland A’s Jose Canseco walks off the field with his wife Ester and other A’s players before the start of the World Series at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.Dan Rosenstrauch/AP
By Amaury Pi-González
This October marks a unique anniversary of the 37th anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake, and the World Series between two teams representing the neighboring cities of Oakland and San Francisco, 8 miles apart and separated by the Bay Bridge.
37th anniversary. On October 17, 1989, at 5:04 PM, the Loma Prieta Earthquake shook the Bay Area. It was a magnitude 6.9 earthquake, although early reports called it 7.1. It hit Candlestick Park in San Francisco just before the third World Series game began. Never before or since has an Earthquake stopped a World Series. Those of us who experienced it in the Candlestick Park broadcasting booth have many stories to tell of a ‘once in a lifetime ‘ event, a unique event, an Act of God in the middle of a World Series.
It was the perfect storm: the Oakland A’s and the San Francisco Giants represented their leagues, the ultimate event, the World Series. First game at the Oakland Coliseum: A’s 5, Giants 0. Second game at Oakland Coliseum: A’s 5, Giants 1. Third game at Candlestick Park: A’s 13, Giants 7. Fourth game at Candlestick Park: A’s 9, Giants 6.
The title was the fourth for the Oakland A’s and the ninth title overall for the franchise since they also won five World Series titles while based in Philadelphia. However, this was anything but your normal World Series; the 1989 World Series game stopped on October 31, 1989, at 5:04, just 31 minutes before Game 3 between the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics was scheduled to begin at Candlestick Park
In the main Press Box, chaos reigned as media interviewed each other; the talk wasn’t baseball, but the earthquake. I spoke to reporters from Miami, México, and Colombia who were there to cover the World Series, but an act of God had another plan.
On the field, there were the players from both the Giants and A’s, some with their wives, looking shell-shocked; dozens of SF Police and SF Fire Department were there also; this was like a huge crime scene.
Some players were talking with the media; I had a couple of minutes with my friend and Cuban compatriot, A’s star José Canseco, who usually had a stutter, but this time he just looked at me and said very little, with his wife Esther standing next to him.
In 2026, there will be no World Series in the Bay Area; both the A’s and Giants finished near the cellar, and they are thinking about 2027, with a Spring Training lockout looming.
To me, this experience was unique; perhaps this is the most historic World Series ever., This indeed was “Nothing Like It”
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.
