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.
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Catcher, Gary Carter
- Age: 26 – 35
- Years: 1980 – 1989
- Teams: Montreal Expos, New York Mets
- All-Star: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988
- Silver Slugger: 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986
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First Base, Don Mattingly
- Age: 21 – 28
- Years: 1982 – 1989
- Teams: New York Yankees
- MVP: 1985
- All-Star: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
- Silver Slugger: 1985, 1986, 1987
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Second Base, Lou Whitaker
- Age: 23 – 32
- Years: 1980 – 1989
- Teams: Detroit Tigers
- All-Star: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987
- Silver Slugger: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987
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Third Base, Mike Schmidt
- Age: 30 – 39
- Years: 1980 – 1989
- Teams: Philadelphia Phillies
- MVP: 1980, 1981, 1986
- All-Star: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989
- Silver Slugger: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986
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Shortstop, Cal Ripken, Jr
- Age: 20 – 28
- Years: 1981 – 1989
- Teams: Baltimore Orioles
- Rookie of the Year: 1982
- MVP: 1983
- All-Star: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
- Silver Slugger: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1989
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Outfield, Darryl Strawberry
- Age: 21 – 27
- Years: 1983 – 1989
- Teams: New York Mets
- Rookie of the Year: 1983
- All-Star: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
- Silver Slugger: 1988
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Outfield, Rickey Henderson
- Age: 21 – 30
- Years: 1980 – 1989
- Teams: Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees
- All-Star: 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988
- Silver Slugger: 1981, 1985
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Outfield, Dwight Evans
- Age: 28 – 37
- Years: 1980 – 1989
- Teams: Boston Red Sox
- All-Star: 1981, 1987
- Silver Slugger: 1981, 1987
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Starting Pitcher, Roger Clemens
- Age: 21 – 26
- Years: 1984 – 1989
- Teams: Boston Red Sox
- MVP: 1986
- Cy Young Award: 1986, 1987
- All-Star: 1986, 1988
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Starting Pitcher, Dwight Gooden
- Age: 19 – 24
- Years: 1984 – 1989
- Teams: New York Mets
- Rookie of the Year: 1984
- Cy Young Award: 1985
- All-Star: 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988
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Starting Pitcher, Bret Saberhagen
- Age: 20 – 25
- Years: 1984 – 1989
- Teams: Kansas City Royals
- Cy Young Award: 1985, 1989
- All-Star: 1987
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Starting Pitcher, Nolan Ryan
- Age: 33 – 42
- Years: 1980 – 1989
- Teams: Houston Astros, Texas Rangers
- All-Star: 1981, 1985, 1989
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Starting Pitcher, Orel Hershiser
- Age: 24 – 30
- Years: 1983 – 1989
- Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers
- Cy Young Award: 1988
- All-Star: 1987, 1988, 1989
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Relief Pitcher, Dennis Eckersley
- Age: 25 – 34
- Years: 1980 – 1989
- Teams: Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics
- All-Star: 1982, 1988
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Relief Pitcher, Tom Henke
- Age: 24 – 31
- Years: 1982 – 1989
- Teams: Texas Rangers,
Toronto Blue Jays - All-Star: 1987
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Relief Pitcher, Dan Plesac
- Age: 24 – 27
- Years: 1986 – 1989
- Teams: Milwaukee Brewers
- All-Star: 1987, 1988, 1989
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Relief Pitcher, Lee Smith
- Age: 22 – 31
- Years: 1980 – 1989
- Teams: Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox
- All-Star: 1983, 1987
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Relief Pitcher, Rich Gossage
- Age: 28 – 37
- Years: 1980 – 1989
- Teams: New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants
- All-Star: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985
- Catcher – Carlton Fisk
- First Base – Eddie Murray
- Second Base – Ryne Sandberg
- Third Base – Wade Boggs
- Shortstop – Alan Trammell
- Oufield – Tim Raines
- Oufield – Dave Winfield
- Starting Pitcher – Steve Carlton
- Starting Pitcher – John Candelaria
- Relief Pitcher – Dave Righetti
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
The Baseball Scholar 
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
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While “about 100” is overkill, Candelaria was just another pitcher in the 80’s. His best years were already behind him.
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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.
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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
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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.
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You lose all credibility with no George Brett on this list. Not even honorable mention? Give me a break!
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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.
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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
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Dave Steib was the best pitcher of the 1980’s
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Lol…Strawberry and Evens over Murphy. Just say you have no clue. This is laughable. No Brett either ouch. Stick to badminton
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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.
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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.
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