Who leads the Phillies on the 1980’s all-decade team?
The decade of the 1980’s had some of the very best and the very worst baseball in Phillies history. From the first World Series Championship team in 1980 and “Wheez Kids” of 1983, to the 1988 and 1989 teams that struggled to avoid losing 100 games, the decade had it all.
Here we take a look at the top players at each position from 1980 to 1989.
Bo Diaz
Diaz took over the starting catcher role for the Philllies in 1982 after Bob Boone’s contract was sold to the California Angels. He gets the nod over Boone and Ozzie Virgil, who put up similar numbers during his tenure in Philadelphia. Diaz has the edge as a better defensive catcher and starter for the 1983 NL Championship team.
From 1982 through 1985, Diaz hit .256 with 36 home runs and 174 RBI in a Phillies uniform. He put together his best season in his Major League career in 1982 with 151 hits, 29 doubles, 18 home runs, 85 RBI, and a batting average of .288, all career highs.
As the starting catcher for the 1983 “Wheez Kids”, Diaz had a solid 15 home runs and 64 RBI, while supplying solid defensive play. Although the Phillies fell in the World Series to the Orioles in five games, Diaz was very productive, hitting .333 in 15 at-bats.
Diaz played in just 53 games for the Phillies in 1984 and 1985 hitting .212 with three home runs in 151 at-bats. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds on August 5, 1985 for Tom Foley, Alan Knicely, and Fred Toliver.
Honorable Mention: Bob Boone, Ozzie Virgil