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The 1990 World Baseball Championship was the 44^th edition of the event and returned to the United States for the first time since 1978 as San Antonio served as the primary city. Despite being at home, the Americans suffered a rare exit in Division 1. Singapore took first at 7-2, finishing one ahead of the Americans and two better than four other nations. This was the first-ever division title for the Singaporeans and only the seventh time that the US didn’t get at least to the elite eight. In Division 2, Switzerland won at 7-2, besting both Argentina and Belarus by one game. It is the fourth division title for the Swiss, although all of their previous titles were back in the 1950s. China was a lackluster 4-5 in D2, extending their postseason drought to six seasons.

In Division 3, Pakistan and Japan tied for first at 7-2 with both France and Ukraine one back at 6-3. The tiebreaker went to the Pakistanis for their first-ever division title. D4 was very tight with Norway, Germany, and Poland each at 6-3, while the Philippines and Thailand were 5-4. The tiebreaker gave Norway its first-ever division title. Mexico was 4-5 in the group, making the perennial power miss out for the fifth consecutive season. In Division 5, Spain secured first at 8-1, although 7-2 Peru and 6-3 Australia gave them a run. The Spanish have won six division titles with their second division win in four years.

Division 6 went to 7-2 Russia, topping both England and India by a game. It is the 11^th division title for the Russians, although they hadn’t advanced in a decade. The Netherlands, fourth last year, were a non-factor at 4-5. D7 had the lone unbeaten team as Indonesia cruised to its ninth division title and its fourth over the last six years. Division 8 had last year’s finalists in the same grouping. Defending World Champion Brazil advanced for the fourth consecutive season with an 8-1 mark, while defending runner-up Canada was at 6-3 along with the Dominican Republic and Serbia. The Brazilians got their 24^th elite eight berth.

1990’s elite eight was notable as it was the first time that zero North American teams were in the group. There were three from Asia, three from Europe, one from both (Russia), and one from South America. Round Robin Group A had both Russia and Pakistan advance at 4-2, while Norway and Indonesia were 2-4. Brazil rolled Group B at 6-0, advancing along with 3-3 Singapore. Spain (2-4) and Switzerland (1-5) were both eliminated.

Both semifinal series were classics that went all five games, but both first-time semifinalists were ultimately ousted. Russia edged Singapore and Brazil outlasted Pakistan. The Pakistanis were officially third and the Singaporeans fourth due to Pakistan’s extra win in the group stage.



The 44^th World Championship was Russia’s fourth finals appearance and first since 1970. Meanwhile, it was the seventh for the defending champion Brazil, with four appearances in the last seven years. The Brazilians won the series 4-2 to officially establish a dynasty, getting their third title in four years. The Americans were the only other country that had won three in four previously and only the US and Mexico had gone back-to-back.



Leading Brazil’s efforts was Tournament MVP Diego Fernandes. A 30-year old four-time Silver Slugger winner in his second season with Fortaleza, Fernandes had 36 hits, 27 runs, 9 doubles, 6 home runs, 11 RBI, and 22 stolen bases over 26 starts for 2.2 WAR. Best Pitcher was given to Portugal’s Harry Almeida. A 37-year old veteran and five-time Reliever of the Year winner, Almeida tossed 11 scoreless innings with 21 strikeouts and one hit allowed.

Other notes: With the first-time appearances from Pakistan, Singapore, and Norway; 61 different nations have now made it to the elite eight at least once. Brazil is the fourth country to win three world titles, joining the US (26), Mexico (4), and Canada (3). Russia’s runner-up finish put them to seventh in the all-time event standings (listed below), passing Japan by two points.