1980s All-Decade Team

July 24, 2017

1–2 minutes

The 1980s was a decade where speed and pitching ruled. It wasn’t just Rickey Henderson, Vince Coleman, and Tim Raines. Ron LeFlore and Omar Moreno stole 90 plus bases in a season. Eric Davis swiped 80 and Dave Collins, Willie Wilson, Rudy Law, Juan Samuel, and Alan Wiggins all stole 70 or more in a season. “Small ball” ruled the day highlighted by Whitey Herzog‘s NL Pennant winning Cardinals in 1985 when they stole 314 bases as a team including five players stealing at least 31. Plenty of players brought power to the plate as well led by Phillies Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt.

Of the 16 players who have recorded 3,000 strikeouts seven of them recorded number 3,000 during the 1980s: Nolan Ryan (July 4, 1980), Tom Seaver (April 18, 1981), Steve Carlton (April 29, 1981), Ferguson Jenkins (May 25, 1982), Don Sutton (June 24, 1983), Phil Niekro (July 4, 1984), Bert Blyleven (August 1, 1986). Nolan Ryan and Steve Carlton set themselves apart on July 12, 1985 and August 5, 1986, respectively, by becoming the first two players to record 4,000 strikeouts. Ryan widened the gap even further when he recorded his 5,000 K on August 22, 1989. Five players joined the 300-win club: Gaylord Perry (May 6, 1982), Steve Carlton (September 23, 1983), Tom Seaver (August 4, 1985), Phil Niekro (October 6, 1985), and Don Sutton (June 18, 1986).

Only Rod Carew collected hit number 3,000 and only Reggie Jackson and Mike Schmidt joined the 500 home run club. While only three hitters’s joined baseball immortals during the decade that doesn’t mean the decade lacked for quality offensive seasons. The list below is our position by position rundown of the best players at each position during the 1980s.

Catcher

Gary CarterHOF

Age: 26-35
Years: 1980-1989
Positions: C
Teams: Montreal Expos, New York Mets

Gary Carter Hitting Stats
WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
44.7	1,312	4,793	625	1,265	219	19	207	800	11	18	505	540	.264	.335	.447	.782

First Base

Don MattinglyMVP

Age: 21-28
Years: 1982-1989
Positions: 1B
Teams: New York Yankees

Don Mattingly Hitting Stats
WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
33.2	1,015	4,022	615	1,300	272	15	164	717	8	7	314	238	.323	.368	.521	.889

Second Base

Lou Whitaker

Age: 23-32
Years: 1980-1989
Positions: 2B
Teams: Detroit Tigers

Lou Whitaker Hitting Stats
WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
43.4	1,418	5,282	814	1,452	252	43	143	619	87	45	659	666	.275	.353	.420	.773

Third Base

Mike SchmidtHOF3x MVP

Age: 30-39
Years: 1980-1989
Positions: 3B
Teams: Philadelphia Phillies

Mike Schmidt Hitting Stats
WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
56.4	1,320	4,639	832	1,287	225	28	313	929	57	38	818	929	.277	.385	.540	.925

Shortstop

Cal Ripken, JrHOFMVPRookie of the Year

Age: 20-28
Years: 1981-1989
Positions: SS
Teams: Baltimore Orioles

Cal Ripken, Jr Hitting Stats
WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
50.1	1,315	5,055	793	1,402	266	24	204	744	19	22	553	635	.277	.347	.461	.808

Outfield

Darryl StrawberryRookie of the Year

Age: 21-27
Years: 1983-1989
Positions: OF
Teams: New York Mets

Darryl Strawberry Hitting Stats
WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
30.2	957	3,361	570	875	169	29	215	625	176	67	510	850	.260	.358	.520	.878

Outfield

Rickey HendersonHOF

Age: 21-30
Years: 1980-1989
Positions: OF
Teams: Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees

Rickey Henderson Hitting Stats
WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
70.8	1,383	5,173	1,122	1,507	248	48	137	535	838	190	962	697	.291	.403	.436	.839

Outfield

Dwight Evans

Age: 28-37
Years: 1980-1989
Positions: OF
Teams: Boston Red Sox

Dwight Evans Hitting Stats
WAR	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
42.0	1,466	5,350	956	1,497	306	43	256	900	37	21	919	1,023	.280	.385	.497	.882

Starting Pitcher

Roger ClemensMVP2x Cy Young

Age: 21-26
Years: 1984-1989
Positions: SP
Teams: Boston Red Sox

Roger Clemens Pitching Stats
WAR	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	SO/9	WHIP
35.7	175	174	95	45	3.06	1,284.2	58	21	0	476	437	371	1,215	8.5	1.136

Starting Pitcher

Dwight GoodenCy YoungRookie of the Year

Age: 19-24
Years: 1984-1989
Positions: SP
Teams: New York Mets

Dwight Gooden Pitching Stats
WAR	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	SO/9	WHIP
30.7	177	175	100	39	2.64	1,291	52	19	0	423	379	379	1,168	8.1	1.109

Starting Pitcher

Bret Saberhagen2x Cy Young

Age: 20-25
Years: 1984-1989
Positions: SP
Teams: Kansas City Royals

Bret Saberhagen Pitching Stats
WAR	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	SO/9	WHIP
32.2	204	178	92	61	3.23	1,329	52	12	1	522	477	258	870	5.9	1.127

Starting Pitcher

Nolan RyanHOF

Age: 33-42
Years: 1980-1989
Positions: SP
Teams: Houston Astros, Texas Rangers

Nolan Ryan Pitching Stats
WAR	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	SO/9	WHIP
30.5	314	314	122	104	3.14	2,094	44	15	0	835	730	894	2,167	9.3	1.192

Starting Pitcher

Orel HershiserCy Young

Age: 24-30
Years: 1983-1989
Positions: SP
Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers

Orel Hershiser Pitching Stats
WAR	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	SO/9	WHIP
32.9	231	191	98	64	2.69	1,457	58	23	5	508	435	434	1,011	6.2	1.149

Relief Pitcher

Dennis EckersleyHOF

Age: 25-34
Years: 1980-1989
Positions: RP
Teams: Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics

Dennis Eckersley Pitching Stats
WAR	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	SO/9	WHIP
25.6	370	206	88	88	3.89	1,593.2	40	7	94	741	688	303	1,010	5.7	1.179

Relief Pitcher

Tom Henke

Age: 24-31
Years: 1982-1989
Positions: RP
Teams: Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays

Tom Henke Pitching Stats
WAR	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	SO/9	WHIP
11.3	320	0	27	22	2.81	442.1	0	0	122	150	138	146	521	10.6	1.112

Relief Pitcher

Dan Plesac

Age: 24-27
Years: 1986-1989
Positions: RP
Teams: Milwaukee Brewers

Dan Plesac Pitching Stats
WAR	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	SO/9	WHIP
10.0	210	0	19	19	2.63	284	0	0	100	94	83	81	268	8.5	1.120

Relief Pitcher

Lee SmithHOF

Age: 22-31
Years: 1980-1989
Positions: RP
Teams: Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox

Lee Smith Pitching Stats
WAR	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	SO/9	WHIP
21.4	586	6	50	57	2.96	835.2	0	0	234	304	275	334	836	9.0	1.256

Relief Pitcher

Rich GossageHOF

Age: 28-37
Years: 1980-1989
Positions: RP
Teams: New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants

Rich Gossage Pitching Stats
WAR	G	GS	W	L	ERA	IP	CG	SHO	SV	R	ER	BB	SO	SO/9	WHIP
18.3	494	0	58	39	2.64	725.2	0	0	206	239	213	241	646	8.0	1.148

Honorable Mention

Catcher – Carlton Fisk
First Base- Eddie Murray
Second Base- Ryne Sandberg
Third Base- Wade Boggs
Shortstop- Alan Trammell
Outfield – Tim Raines
Outfield – Dave Winfield
Starting Pitcher – Steve Carlton
Starting Pitcher – John Candelaria
Relief Pitcher – Dave Righetti

All underlying data used in this analysis is available in The Baseball Scholar Data Library.

18 responses to “1980s All-Decade Team”

Geoff

July 31, 2017 at 4:37 am

John Candelaria.. honorable mention,, lol… there are about 100 pitchers in the ’80s more deserving of mention … Jack Morris, Fernando Valenzuela, Bert Blyleven, Dave Stieb, Bob Welch, Ron Guidry, Bruce Hurst, John tudor, Frank Viola, Charlie Hough, Frank Tanana, Mark Langston, Dan Petry, Rick Sutcliff, Dave Stewart, Ron Darling, Bob Ojeda, Mario Soto, Mike Scott, Teddy Higuera, Tommy John, Dave Stewart, Rick Reuschel, Bill Gullickson, Steve Rogers, John Denny, Eric Show, Rick Rhoden, Tom Browning, the Niekros, …. and many, many more

LikeLike

Reply
1. wkkortas
  
  August 22, 2017 at 12:51 pm
  
  While “about 100” is overkill, Candelaria was just another pitcher in the 80’s. His best years were already behind him.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Dan Holmes

September 5, 2019 at 2:51 pm

John Candelaria won 97 games in the 1980s with an ERA+ of 110. Enough said.

You should read about a player named Dan Quisenberry, he is not only far more deserving than Dan Plesac, but he was better than Eckersley and the other relievers on the list in THE 1980s.

With due respect, these teams would make better sense if you picked a left fielder, center fielder, and right fielder. You have two right fielders here and a left fielder. You may want to look up Andre Dawson and Dale Murphy.

LikeLike

Reply
Kevin

October 19, 2019 at 2:39 pm

Jack Morris and Lance Parrish. Both should be recognized with Morris on First Team and Parrish on Second Team. The Tigers won more games than anyone not named the New York Yankees. Morris had more wins and innings pitched, amidst other stats he led or was top 3 or 5. He pitched late into games which is why his ERA is high. Gary Carter wins first place, no doubt. But, Fisk? Before Parrish? Go look at stats, and then explain how Fisk was better defensively. Detroit won 2 divisions, and a world series. If the wild card was around, they are in the playoffs at least 4 more times. Morris and Parrish a big reason why. Your wrong, sorry

LikeLike

Reply
1. Anonymous
  
  December 26, 2025 at 11:00 pm
  
  Parrish was with the Phillies in 87 when the Tigers won their second division title of the 80’s..so Parrish was only with the Tigers from 80-86 in the decade.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Bud Tate

April 17, 2020 at 5:36 pm

Whoever did this list should be ashamed to not even mention Dale Murphy. None of those outfielders would have been taken over him in about a 7 year span in the 80s. He was a legend and carried a team for years.

LikeLike

Reply
RockMan

July 20, 2020 at 10:25 pm

You lose all credibility with no George Brett on this list. Not even honorable mention? Give me a break!

LikeLike

Reply
Anonymous

June 26, 2021 at 2:09 pm

Serious omissions: Lance Parrish, Dale Murphy, Dave Stieb, and Andre Dawson. Parrish was primarily a catcher, the top cleanup hitting catcher, and Fisk was far less catcher at that point. I’m not sure why the only argument is which 3 of Dave Winfield, Dale Murphy, Andre Dawson, and Rickey Henderson is the starting outfield, and 2 aren’t even mentioned. Would any team have traded Dawson or Murphy in the 80s? Dave Stieb just needs to be there somewhere. Jack Morris should be mentioned. And isn’t everyone tired of the whole Don Mattingly thing? Would any team trade Eddie Murray for Don Mattingly? Any team? I do bow to the Lou Whitaker pick—a rare right call there.

LikeLike

Reply
1. Anonymous
  
  May 28, 2024 at 7:09 am
  
  Not tired of “The whole Mattingly thing”. Everyone would Murray for Mattingly in a minute. Before his bad back he was the elite hitter in the majors and his 9 gold gloves show that he was a complete ballplayer.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
KD

July 18, 2021 at 2:01 pm

Yeah…lol…You made a list of best players in the 80’s and left off arguably the best player. Dale Murphy. You actually have Dwight Evens…lmao over him. Could hold his Jock. That’s an unforgivable error. Go write some badminton reviews

LikeLike

Reply
Anonymous

June 26, 2022 at 9:02 am

Dave Steib was the best pitcher of the 1980’s

LikeLike

Reply
KD

June 30, 2022 at 10:42 am

Lol…Strawberry and Evens over Murphy. Just say you have no clue. This is laughable. No Brett either ouch. Stick to badminton

LikeLike

Reply
Matthew

July 29, 2022 at 8:02 pm

All Time 80’s Team

LF Rickey Henderson
2B Ryan Sandberg
CF Kirby Puckett
RF Dave Winfield
3B Mike Schmidt
1B Eddie Murray
DH Andre Dawson
SS Cal Ripken Jr.
C Gary Carter

P Nolan Ryan

You can alternate Dawson and Winfield at RF or DH. Schmidt had 3MVPs in the 80’s. All that I listed are HoFers. Mattingly and Evans are out of place. Puckett averaged 200 hits for 6 years of the decade of the 80’s so he did enough to take it. Oh and this is a tough team to beat.

LikeLike

Reply
Anonymous

June 6, 2023 at 9:29 am

Dale Murphy Dominated the 80’s and was the best outfielder in baseball in the first half with 2 mvp’s. had better overall numbers than strawberry and evans.

LikeLike

Reply
Anonymous

July 22, 2024 at 1:46 pm

Without 2-time NL MVP Dale Murphy, this list is a joke.

LikeLike

Reply
Anonymous

January 17, 2025 at 5:02 am

without dale Murphy on this list this can’t be taken seriously. Easily in the top 3 outfielders for sure.

LikeLike

Reply
Anonymous

July 30, 2025 at 2:14 pm

Dale Murphy won consecutive Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards (1982–1983), the Silver Slugger Award for four straight years (1982–1985), and the Gold Glove Award for five straight years (1982–1986).

LikeLike

Reply
Anonymous

October 12, 2025 at 6:23 pm

Any list of “greatest players of the 80’s” that doesn’t even mention Robin Yount is garbage. He won 2 MVP awards (at two different positions) and had the most hits and doubles of anybody during that decade. He was also second in runs scored and triples. He was third in XBH and had the 3rd highest batting average. No other player ranked in the top three in so many different categories. Hands-down one of the most under-appreciated players in MLB history.

LikeLike

Reply