MLB Networks: Prime 9: Top players of the 80's

[Can_of_corn]

It's bizarre that they'd take Mattingly despite him only being a full time player from '84-'89, while ignoring the pitchers who were far, far superior to Morris apparently because they didn't get started until mid-decade.

Oh well, without shoddy work like this we'd have less to discuss.

Do you really think they are going to make a list like that and not put any iconic Yankees on it?

MLB panders to the Red Sox and Yankees to less of an extent then does ESPN but they still do.

[Avsfan]

Some other tough omissions:

• Tim Raines (definitely one of the 3 best OFs for the decade)

Eh, gotta disagree...he had 4 really really good years. He wasn't one of the 3 best OF's though.

[DrungoHazewood]

Eh, gotta disagree...he had 4 really really good years. He wasn't one of the 3 best OF's though.

Actually, his 43.2 WAR is 3rd among outfielders in the 1980s.

[Say O!]

Schmidt won 3 MVPs in the 80's...hit the most homeruns of anyone in the decade...and played a great defensive 3rd...that's why he was chosen.

Actually when consulting Schmidts Baseball Reference page...the man was pretty awesome. Check it out: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/schmimi01.shtml

Don't disagree that Schmidt was awesome - in fact, I think he was the greatest 3B of all-time.

But many great Schmidt years occurred in the late 70's. He'd be a no-doubter if the criteria was 1975-1985. But by virtue of these wacky calendar schenanigans, the years in question are from 1980-1989.

If you look at both Boggs and Schmidt, it's a lot closer than you would initially think. Judging by cumulative WAR, Boggs actually tops Schmidt

Schmidt/Boggs

WAR

1980: 9.1 / DNP

1981: 7.6 / DNP

1982: 7.9 / 4.0

1983: 7.7 / 7.6

1984: 6.2 / 5.8

1985: 5.3 / 8.5

1986: 6.6 / 8.6

1987: 5.6 / 9.1

1988: 1.6 / 8.7

1989: -0.5 / 8.2

Total: 57.1 / 60.5

While Boggs may not have the MVP trophys, he was a vastly underrated player during his time. Indeed, he led the league in WAR in years 1986, 1987, 1988. Boggs would claim more of these if not for Rickey Henderson.

I will grant you that doing the analysis with WARP, Schmidt does edge Boggs ~66/~56.