The 1980's would be a transition period for baseball card collector's. The move from one major brand to five. The 1980 set features an all time great in Rickey Henderson. Beginning in 1981, Topps distributed a Traded Set, featuring rookie cards of Tim Raines & Fernando Valenzuela. The 1982 set featured Cal Ripken Jr, as well as a host of rookies from the '82 season. The big three in the 1983 Set featured Ryne Sandberg, Tony Gwynn, and Wade Boggs, all HOF. 1984 marked the emergence of a beautiful Donruss set featuring Don Mattingly, Joe Carter, and Darryl Strawberry, followed by the '84 Fleer Update set featuring Roger Clemens & Kirby Puckett. The 1985 Topps set had a host of legendary players highlighted by Mark McGwire, Roger Clemens, and Kirby Puckett. The 1986 issued cards featured a well distributed collection in the 3 major brands (Topps / Fleer / Donruss); highlighted by Bo Jackson, Jose Canseco, and Barry Bonds. The dominated set in 1987, Donruss, featured Greg Maddux, Rafael Palmeiro, while Fleer pitched in with Barry Larkin. 1988 Fleer produced rookie cards of John Smoltz & Edgar Martinez. Wraping up the decade brought the iconic release of 1989 Upper Deck, featuring rookie cards of Ken Griffey Jr, Randy Johnson, and Gary Sheffield, along with a host of other greats of the season.
1980's all decade team
C - Gary Carter (Expos)
1B - Eddie Murray (Orioles) 2B - Lou Whitaker (Tigers) 3B - Wade Boggs (Red Sox) SS - Cal Ripken Jr. (Orioles) |
LF - Rickey Henderson (A's)
CF - Robin Yount (Brewers) RF - Andre Dawson (Expos) OF - Jim Rice (Red Sox) |
P - Dave Stieb (Blue Jays)
P - Bert Blyleven (Twins) P - Bob Welch (A's) P - F. Valenzuela (Dodgers) P - John Tudor (Cardinals) |