The Baseball Scholar

1980s All-Decade Team

Dave Franks
4–6 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 Carter


    • Gary Carter Batting Statistics
    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 Mattingly


    • Don Mattingly Batting Statistics
    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


    • Lou Whitaker Batting Statistics
    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 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


    Mike Schmidt Batting Statistics
    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, Jr


    • Cal Ripken, Jr Batting Statistics
    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 Strawberry


    • Darryl Strawberry Batting Statistics
    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 Henderson


    • Rickey Henderson Batting Statistics
    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


    • Dwight Evans Batting Statistics
    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 Clemens

  • Age: 21 – 26
  • Years: 1984 – 1989
  • Teams: Boston Red Sox
  • MVP: 1986
  • Cy Young Award: 1986, 1987
  • All-Star: 1986, 1988


Roger Clemens Pitching Statistics
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 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


    • Dwight Gooden Pitching Statistics
    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 Saberhagen

  • Age: 20 – 25
  • Years: 1984 – 1989
  • Teams: Kansas City Royals
  • Cy Young Award: 1985, 1989
  • All-Star: 1987


    • Bret Saberhagen Pitching Statistics
    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 Ryan

  • Age: 33 – 42
  • Years: 1980 – 1989
  • Teams: Houston Astros, Texas Rangers
  • All-Star: 1981, 1985, 1989


    • Nolan Ryan Pitching Statistics
    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 Hershiser

  • Age: 24 – 30
  • Years: 1983 – 1989
  • Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Cy Young Award: 1988
  • All-Star: 1987, 1988, 1989


    • Orel Hershiser Pitching Statistics
    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 Eckersley

  • Age: 25 – 34
  • Years: 1980 – 1989
  • Teams: Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics
  • All-Star: 1982, 1988


    • Dennis Eckersley Pitching Statistics
    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
  • Teams: Texas Rangers,
    Toronto Blue Jays
  • All-Star: 1987


    • Tom Henke Pitching Statistics
    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
  • Teams: Milwaukee Brewers
  • All-Star: 1987, 1988, 1989


    • Dan Plesac Pitching Statistics
    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 Smith

  • Age: 22 – 31
  • Years: 1980 – 1989
  • Teams: Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox
  • All-Star: 1983, 1987


    • Lee Smith Pitching Statistics
    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 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


    • Rich Gossage Pitching Statistics
    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

    17 responses to “1980s All-Decade Team”

    1. Geoff Avatar
      Geoff

      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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      1. wkkortas Avatar
        wkkortas

        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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    2. Dan Holmes Avatar
      Dan Holmes

      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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    3. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      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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    4. Bud Tate Avatar
      Bud Tate

      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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    5. RockMan Avatar
      RockMan

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

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    6. Avatar
      Anonymous

      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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      1. Avatar
        Anonymous

        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.

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    7. KD Avatar
      KD

      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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    8. Avatar
      Anonymous

      Dave Steib was the best pitcher of the 1980’s

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    9. KD Avatar
      KD

      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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    10. Matthew Avatar
      Matthew

      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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    11. Avatar
      Anonymous

      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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    12. Avatar
      Anonymous

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

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    13. Avatar
      Anonymous

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

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    14. Avatar
      Anonymous

      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). 

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    15. Avatar
      Anonymous

      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.

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