This got me thinking. Who's on your all 80's superstar team? Only qualification is one productive season during the 1980s. I just had to post this while I thought of it. I'll do some thinking and come up with my own list.
Catchers ... Mike Scioscia and Bob Boone First Basemen ... Keith Hernandez and Don Mattingly Second Basemen ... Ryne Sandberg and Lou Whitaker Third Basemen ... Mike Schmidt and George Brett Shortstops ... Ozzie Smith and Cal Ripken Left Fielders ... Tim Raines and Rickey Henderson Center Fielders ... Dale Murphy and Kirby Puckett Right Fielders ... Andre Dawson and Dave Winfield
Starting Pitchers ... Jack Morris, Fernando Valenzuela, Dwight Gooden, Orel Hershiser, and Nolan Ryan
Relief Pitchers ... Dave Smith, Lee Smith, Bruce Sutter, Jeff Reardon, and Dan Quisenberry
Manager ... Tom Lasorda
“Don’t you look at me like that, ya little bastard. You eyeballin’ me? Don’t you dare. I done whipped your ass once, you little sumbitch, don’t think I won’t do it right here right now - BAM! You know that guy Tom Bodett, leaves the lights on for ya? Just the opposite - I’ll turn your lights out. Do you understand me? That’s right, that’s what you call me ‘yes, sir, no sir.’”
“I hate it when those guys have their little sparklers and the explosions. ... You probably liked that Angleslam, didn’tya? You think he deserved that, huh? Huh LOOK AT ME HILLBILLY BOY! You’re damn right it don’t, I don’t give a damn WHAT you like. Don’t even look at me. No, look at me, you ain’t gonna look at me when I’m talking to ya? You disrespecting me? Look at me, JR. I said look at me. That’s right. Boy, I’ll run right over you like a speedbump. Don’t get nervous. Stop sweatin’.” ... Steve Austin to Good ol' J.R. on RAW, June 11, 2001
Originally posted by DJ RanThis got me thinking. Who's on your all 80's superstar team?
Well, since you've asked:
First Base: Eddie Murray Second Base: Ryne Sandberg Shortstop: Ozzie Smith Third Base: Mike Schmidt Left Field: Ricky Henderson CenterField: Dale Murphy Right Field: Dwight Evans Catcher: Carlton Fisk Pitchers: Jack Morris, Dave Steib, Nolan Ryan, Dwight Gooden, Orel Hershiser, Roger Clemens, Fernando Valenzuela, Jeff Reardon, Dan Quisenberry, Dave Righetti Bench: Wade Boggs, George Brett, Darryl Strawberry, Cal Ripken, Andre Dawson, Robin Yount, Gary Carter
Keep in mind that if you ask again next month you'll probably get a different answer from me. Ozzie may be the best defensive shortstop of all time; but does that offset Ripken's offense and durability? The pitching staff seems to have too many righthanders, and that's without including Bert Blyleven. I would also prefer not to have to turn to Dale Murphy as my emergency catcher; that would mean making room on the roster for Lance Parrish.
BTW, trivia buffs should appreciate this: The top five players in OBP + Slugging for the 1980's (minimum 3,000 plate appearances) are as follows:
Mike Schmidt .925 Wade Boggs .922 George Brett .913 Don Mattingly .889 Pedro Guerrero .888
Through most of baseball's history, third base is the position least likely to produce a superstar. In fact, it's the most under-represented position in baseball's Hall of Fame (at least, it was the last time I checked). That's what makes the above list unique; each of the top five players in OBP + Slugging for the 1980's also played at least a few games at third base. Granted, in Mattingly's case it was very few, as his career games played at third is a grand total of three (all in 1986); but IMHO that's what makes for great trivia. Feel free to use this information to win as many free drinks in your local as you can.
Bob Boone? Bob Boone? You couldn't come up with anyone better than Bob Boone? Here are some of his batting averages for the 80s: .229, .211, .202, .222..... yeah, he could play defense, but nobody could overcome his awful bat. Carlton Fisk, Lance Parrish, somebody, most everybody was better than Bob Boone.
He's Rolie Polie Olie - and in his world of curves and curls, he's the swellest kid around.
I must agree with the Pieman... as amazingly great defensively as Boone was, and as key a member of some good (and champion) Dodger teams Scoscia was, I don't see how you could place them above Fisk and Gary Carter on the All Eighties Team. I mean, they are both HOF'ers.
"Come to the Dark Side... You Know You Want To!" The Evil Buddha, spreading Alcoholism, Bad Humor and Chaos since 1971
C: Gary Carter (better offense than Fisk, equal defense) 1B: Eddie Murray 2B: Ryne Sandberg 3B: Mike Schmidt SS: Ozzie Smith (with all the power this team has, I'd prefer his speed and glove over Ripken's pop) LF: Rickey Henderson CF: Robin Yount RF: Tony Gwynn
I'd probably go with this lineup. The only thing I don't like about it, having so many righties clumped together, isn't much of a problem considering the numbers:
LF Henderson RF Gwynn 1B Murray 3B Schmidt C Carter CF Yount 2B Sandberg SS Smith P
Rotation: Roger Clemens; Jack Morris; Dwight Gooden; Orel Hershiser; Frank Viola (token lefty starter, and since Kirby didn't make the cut, the Twins get more love from me than the Dodgers, so no Fernando)
Bullpen: Lee Smith; Bruce Sutter; John Franco and Dave Righetti (token lefty relief); Dan Quisenberry; Mike Scott (Long relief/spot starter. The guy was DOMINANT for a short span, thanks/curses to the splitfinger.)
Bench: Carlton Fisk (C); George Brett (1B-3B); Cal Ripken (SS-3B); Tommy Herr (2B, switch-hitting RBI machine for a couple of years); Eric Davis (OF, speed, power, defense, another Red, and too damn fragile to be in the everyday lineup); Darryl Strawberry (OF, insane lefty power)
It really hurt to leave guys like Kirby Puckett, Don Mattingly, Wade Boggs, and Dale Murphy off my team.
C - Johnny Bench/Darrell Porter 1B - Donny Baseball/Rod Carew 2B - Ryne Sandburg/Willie Randolph 3B - Mike Schmidt/Wade Boggs (I liked Lansford in the '80's also...) SS - Robin Yount/Ozzie Smith LF - Tim Raines/Jose Canseco CF - Rickey Henderson/Willie McGhee RF - Darryl Strawberry/Dave Winfield P - Nolan Ryan/Roger Clemens
"You know Monsoon, I am impressed, and I don't impress easy" -Jesse "The Body" Ventura
Originally posted by jfkfcHere's my list with 2 at each position:
C - Johnny Bench/Darrell Porter
Wasn't Bench washed up before '80, though? I know he kept going to All-Star games until he retired, but I don't remember him doing much of anything in the 80's. Then again, I was just 6 when the '80 season started, which was the last good year the Reds had before his retirement, so my memory is a little fuzzy.
Anybody know of a site where I can access retired players stats by season?
1B: Eddie Murray 2B: Ryne Sandberg SS: Alan Trammell 3B: George Brett OF: Rickey Henderson OF: Brett Butler OF: Tony Gwynn C: Benito Santiago SP: Orel Hershiser RP: Goose Gossage
and now the all-worthless 80's team:
1B: Billy Joe Robideaux/Joey Meyer 2B: Chris Pittaro SS: Dale Sveum 3B: Mike Pagliarulo OF: Joe Charbonneau OF: Larry Sheets OF: Dion James C: Mark Salas, among many SP: Dick Ruthven RP: The Boston Red Sox
(edited by Eddie Famous on 13.1.03 1800) George Washington gave his signature The Government gave its hand They said for now and ever more that this was Indian Land
"As long as the moon shall rise" "As long as the rivers flow" "As long as the sun will shine" "As long as the grass shall grow"
"You couldn't come up with anyone better than Bob Boone?"
... not in the 1980's A.L., at least. Boone was a far better defensive catcher than anyone in that league, with the possible exception of Jim Sundberg. Sure, Boone and Sundberg were weak offensively -- but they were terrific at blocking errant pitches (and oncoming baserunners), had great arms, and handled their pitching staffs brilliantly. In my view, that's what the essence of being a good catcher is all about. Fisk was in decline defensively from 1980 until the end of his career. Parrish put up gaudy HR numbers in a good HR park and possessed a strong arm. I'd rather have Boone's across-the-board defense, and look for offense from those positions that prize offense more than defense, like 1B and LF.
I never saw any pitcher shaking at the sight of Brooks Robinson in the batter's box. But there was no better 3B during that time, and everyone who saw him in the field knew it.
"I don't see how you could place them above Fisk and Gary Carter on the All Eighties Team. I mean, they are both HOF'ers."
... Well, that's the whole thing. I don't believe that Fisk or Carter should be in the Hall. It's not that I think Scioscia or Boone are Hall-worthy, either. I don't think there was one single HOF catcher in the 80's -- it was a poor decade for that position.
"the all-worthless 80's team:"
... Now, THIS is a great idea.
Catchers ... Bruce "Eggs" Benedict and Geno Petralli First Basemen ... David Green and Billy Joe Robidoux Second Basemen ... Doug Flynn and Steve Lombardozzi Third Basemen ... Jeff Schu and Fat Floyd Rayford Shortstops ... Sammy Khalifa and Rafael Ramirez Left Fielders ... Jeff Stone and Barry Bonnell Center Fielders ... Carmelo Martinez and Oddibe McDowell Right Fielders ... R.J. Reynolds and Glenn Braggs
Starting Pitchers ... Ken Schrom, John Butcher, Al Nipper, Steve Trout, and Randy Lerch
Relief Pitchers ... Matt Young, Edwin Nunez, Luis Sanchez, Greg Booker, and George Frazier
(edited by J.T. Dutch on 14.1.03 0636) “Don’t you look at me like that, ya little bastard. You eyeballin’ me? Don’t you dare. I done whipped your ass once, you little sumbitch, don’t think I won’t do it right here right now - BAM! You know that guy Tom Bodett, leaves the lights on for ya? Just the opposite - I’ll turn your lights out. Do you understand me? That’s right, that’s what you call me ‘yes, sir, no sir.’”
“I hate it when those guys have their little sparklers and the explosions. ... You probably liked that Angleslam, didn’tya? You think he deserved that, huh? Huh LOOK AT ME HILLBILLY BOY! You’re damn right it don’t, I don’t give a damn WHAT you like. Don’t even look at me. No, look at me, you ain’t gonna look at me when I’m talking to ya? You disrespecting me? Look at me, JR. I said look at me. That’s right. Boy, I’ll run right over you like a speedbump. Don’t get nervous. Stop sweatin’.” ... Steve Austin to Good ol' J.R. on RAW, June 11, 2001
Originally posted by Eddie Famousand now the all-worthless 80's team3B: Mike Pagliarulo
Tell me you did not just say that.
So Pags wasn't Babe Ruth, but he had that thing that always made him fun to watch, always getting the uniform dirty and coming up with the clutch hit more often that not. It's not as though the ball was jumping out of stadiums the way it is now, or he'd have had at least one 40 hr season.
Besides he's from Medford MA, and was the Yanks 3b for enough of the 80s that he gets to call my all time favorite player DAHW-nee, as in DAHW-nee WHAL-boog.
Now Ken Oberkfell, THAT was a useless 3b.
(edited by DJ Ran on 14.1.03 1010) *I* am the Shawn Stasiak impersonator.
1B: Billy Joe Robideaux/Joey Meyer 2B: Chris Pittaro SS: Dale Sveum 3B: Mike Pagliarulo OF: Joe Charbonneau OF: Larry Sheets OF: Dion James C: Mark Salas, among many SP: Dick Ruthven RP: The Boston Red Sox
You said Dale Sveum. RP: Seattle Mariners (90's also)
My all 80's suck ass team
C: Dave Valle/Macky Sasser 1B: Pete O'Brien/Steve Balboni 2nd: Billy Ripken SS: Rey Quinones/Dick Schofield 3rd: Jack Howell OF: Glen Davis SP: Steve Trout, Matt Young, Mike Morgan,
First Base: Eddie Murray (It's tossed around a lot, but "spoke softly and carried a big stick is an understatement. He could also field). Second Base: Ryne Sandberg (Dependable, realible) Shortstop: Ozzie Smith (The glove. The speed. What's there not to like?) Third Base: Wade Boggs (the man could HIT) Left Field: Ricky Henderson (Come up with a better leadoff man in the 80's. I dare ya). CenterField: Kirby Puckitt (good glove, better hitting). Right Field: Tony Gwynn (one of the greatest hitters ever). Catcher: Carlton Fisk (decent bat, better defense).
Pitchers: Jack Morris (personal fave), Dennis Martinez (under-rated), Nolan Ryan (always dangerous), Roger Clemens (at times, simply impossible to hit....at least in the 80's), Fernando Valenzuela (on this team, long relief), Lee Smith (SHUT THE DOOR).
Bench: George Brett, Mike Schmidt, Cal Ripken, Andre Dawson, Robin Yount, Gary Carter (GO EXPOS!!). All of these guys could start too.
Coach(s):Tommy Lasorda
Next VG Review: Metriod Prime Next OSVG Review: Blaster Master
C: Alex Trevino 1B: Dan Driessen (Fine role-player in the '70's, absolute shit as a starter in the '80's.) 2B: Billy Ripken 3B: Johnny Bench (Yes, kids, he played third for a couple years prior to retirement, and although he could still hit once a month or so, he was, bar-none, the worst defensive 3B I've ever seen, in any decade. That alone wins him this prestigious award.) SS: Rafael Santana LF: Dion James CF: Garry Pettis (I don't care HOW many bases he stole. When you only reach base 100 times as an everyday player, you damn well better be able to steal every time you're on.) RF: Chris James (Good god, so many to choose from... When all else fails, James is always a fine example of a bad player, so he gets the nod by default.)
I'm tempted to try to craft this group into a lineup, but I can't decide whether I'd want to make it as good or as bad as possible. Not much difference either way, I guess.