That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies 1980’s All-Decade Team: Hall of Fame Legends Lead the Way

By Kerry Kauffman

CHICAGO - 1987: Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies fields during an MLB game versus the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois during the 1987 season. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
CHICAGO - 1987: Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies fields during an MLB game versus the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois during the 1987 season. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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(Original Caption) 7/11/1989- Anaheim, CA – Former Philadelphia Phillie 3rd baseman Mike Schmidt waves to the crowd at the All Star game opening ceremonies 7/11. though Schmidt retired earlier this year he was the leading vote getter for the 3rd base position. /

Mike Schmidt

Who else could possibly make this list at third base? Schmidt started the 1980’s in the prime of his career. He carried the Phillies during the championship season of 1980 hitting .284 with a league highs in home runs (48), RBI (121), slugging percentage (.624), and OPS (1.004). He was an All-Star, NL MVP, Gold Glove Award winner and World Series MVP.

The 1981 campaign was even more impressive. In just 102 games in the strike-shortened season, Schmidt hit .316 and lead the league in home runs (31), RBI (91), runs (78), walks (73), on-base percentage (.435), slugging percentage (.644) and OPS (1.080). He captured his second-straight MVP, his sixth nine-straight Gold Glove Awards, and his sixth All-Star appearance.

Schmidt led the league again in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS in 1982. He paced the league in home runs in 1983, 1984, and 1986 and had at least 30 home runs every season in the decade except for 1988 and 1989.  mAmong Schmidt’s other offensive accomplishments in the decade include leader in RBI, walks, and slugging percentage four times each.

A shoulder injury in 1988 slowed Schmidt down, limiting him to a .249 average and just 12 home runs in 108 games. Although Schmidt was off to a solid start in terms of power in 1989 with six home runs a little over a month into the season, Schmidt’s production at the plate dropped and struggled miserably in the field.  After an 0-for-3 game against the Giants on May 28 which dropped his average to .203, Schmidt announced his retirement.

The greatest third baseman of all-time ended the decade with 313 home runs, 929 RBI, six Gold Glove Awards, three MVP’s, and nine All-Star appearances.

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