Phillies 1980's All-Decade Team: Hall of Fame Legends Lead the Way

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CHICAGO – UNDATED 1981: Steve Carlton of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during a MLB game at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Carlton played for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1972-1986. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Steve Carlton

Although 35-years old in 1980, Carlton was still in the prime of his Hall of Fame career. In fact, his 24 wins, 304 innings, 286 strikeouts all led the National League. Carlton also posted a 2.34 ERA and won his third Cy Young Award. He also dominated in the postseason, going 3-0 with a 2.30 ERA, not allowing a home run in 27 1/3 innings.

Carlton was in the running for another Cy Young Award in 1981, compiling a 13-4 record with a 2.42 ERA and 179 strikeouts over 24 starts during the strike-shortened season. The Cy Young Award did not elude the big lefty in 1982 when Carlton led the league in wins (23), games started (38), complete games (19), shutouts (6), innings (295 2/3), and strikeouts (286).

At the age of 38 in 1983, Carlton finished a game below .500 at 15-16, however, had a solid ERA of 3.11 and led the league in innings pitched and strikeouts. Although clearly not in his prime, Carlton still posted 13 wins and a respectable 3.58 ERA in 1984.

Injuries took their toll on Carlton in 1985, limiting him to just a 1-8 record, walking 53 and striking out only 48 in 92 innings. After a dismal 4-8 record with a 6.18 ERA in 16 starts in 1986, the Phillies released Carlton.

Carlton managed to stick around for the next few seasons, having stints with the Giants, White Sox, Indians and Twins, although he went just 11-21 combined.

During the 1980’s Carlton won 83 games with the Phillies while losing 64, making three All-Star appearances and two Cy Young Awards.