The 1980's was a decade when speed, pitching, and defense trumped power. You won't see arcade-like power stats, which became common in the following two decades, as only ten HR leaders out of twenty (both leagues) finished with forty or more round trippers. In contrast, the nineties saw eighteen finished with forty or more and no player hit fifty home runs.
This was the decade when speed was king. With guys like Rickey Henderson, Vince Coleman, Willie McGee, Willie Wilson, and Tim Raines, eleven out of the top fifty all-time stolen base amounts (season) was recorded during this decade.
This would also be the last decade when it was common to see complete games and four men rotations.
This was the decade that belonged to the Royals Cardinals, Phillies, and the Dodgers. The Dodgers is my choice for best team of the 1980's. The Dodgers won two World Series rings, and two other years where they won the NL West.
This slide show will identify my choices for the All-Decade team. Out of the three decades presented, this decade was the toughest to choose. But it should be noted that every non-pitching position player selected are in the hall of fame except one.
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