How a baseball series might have saved thousands of lives
In short: In 1989, the World Series was interrupted by a massive earthquake. While the delay seemed like a logistical nightmare for baseball fans, historians now suggest the game's timing may have been a literal lifesaver for the region's residents.
The 1989 World Series featured a historic matchup between the Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants. Known by nicknames like the 'Bay Bridge Series' and the 'Earthquake Series,' it was the first cross-town championship since 1956. The Athletics ultimately swept the Giants in four games, marking the first time two franchises from the same state won consecutive championships from different teams until 2023.
On October 17, 1989, at 5:04 PM, the Loma Prieta earthquake struck just minutes before Game 3 was scheduled to begin. Thousands of people were already inside Candlestick Park. The quake caused significant damage to the Cypress Street Viaduct in Oakland and the Marina District in San Francisco, resulting in 42 deaths in the viaduct collapse. Because many people had left work early or stayed late to attend the games and parties, traffic on the freeways was significantly reduced, which experts credit with preventing a much higher death toll.
The broadcast of the event was also historic, as it was the first major U.S. earthquake to be televised live. ABC's Al Michaels was caught mid-sentence when the feed cut out, and the Goodyear Blimp was used to coordinate emergency efforts. Commissioner Fay Vincent eventually postponed Game 3 for five days—the longest delay in series history—due to power loss and safety concerns. The series resumed on October 27 and concluded on October 28, which remained the latest end date for a World Series until 2023.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 1989 World Series
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