Best Teams of the 1980s

The 1980s was a decade of transition for baseball. Power numbers were noticeably down, making the eye-opening numbers of the steroid-enhanced decades following look even gaudier. In the 1980s, players hit 40 home runs just 13 times—the lowest of any decade since Babe Ruth revolutionized the game.

The lack of power is just one of the many reasons the 1980s remains an overlooked era. Few things are celebrated from the 1980s, and much of what is remembered is negative: the 1981 strike, a cocaine scandal, umpire Don Denkinger’s blown call in the 1985 World Series, the banishment of all-time hits leader Pete Rose for gambling, an earthquake postponing the 1989 World Series, the spread of Astroturf.

On the surface, baseball between the lines seemed to be living a relatively benign and peaceful existence—the 1981 players’ strike notwithstanding. Dynasties gave way to diversity. One decade before, only eight teams made it to the World Series; in the 1980s, 14 different teams applied, with only one multiple winner—the Los Angeles Dodgers of 1981 and 1988, two virtually different teams featuring only a few players who could say they played for both. The winningest single season team was the ’84 Tigers. Mike Schmidt hit the most homers (313), Eddie Murray drove in the most runs (996), Jack Morris won the most games (162), and the lovable Cubs (’85 NLCS) and the Red Sox (’86 World Series) pulled the curses out of their historic closets.

All the teams in this special edition won the World Series for the year they represent except the 1984 Padres. The Padres won the NLCS but lost the World Series to the Detroit Tigers. You will be able to replay the ’84 World Series as many times as you like when you purchase this set. There were several players who won multiple World Series rings during this decade for multiple teams because of trades and free agency.

Also notice we did not include a team for “1981 Strike” season.

The teams we selected to include are the following:

1. 1980 Philadelphia Phillies

2. 1982 St. Louis Cardinals

3. 1983 Baltimore Orioles

4. 1984 Detroit Tigers

5. 1984 San Diego Padres

6. 1985 Kansas City Royals

7. 1986 New York Mets

8. 1987 Minnesota Twins

9. 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers

10. 1989 Oakland Athletics

We hope you enjoy the fun of bringing these teams and players back to life.

To order visit our Product Page. It is only $6.99 and we will be adding more great teams soon.
 

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