In the first of a series, here are the franchise-by-franchise home run leaders for the 1980s. Some of the names are obvious and some are quite surprising.
Three players appear on the list for two teams. Whether for trivia or help with your Immaculate Grid, enjoy!
Not a big surprise here as Dale Murphy is the 1980s home run king for the Atlanta Braves with 308 but some other names on the list may surprise you.
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Again, not a big surprise at the top of the list but Fred Lynn at #3 is unexpected.
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The surprise here may be who is NOT at the top of the list.
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Gene Autry spent a lot of money in the 1980s but never came away with a pennant. Fred Lynn just misses making his second appearance as he placed 6th with 71 homers for the Angels.
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A lot of roster churn at Wrigley Field means some low totals but familiar names.
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A similar story on the South Side of Chicago, but two Hall of Famers top the list.
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The 1980s started strong for the Reds but fizzled quickly. That will happen when you jettison the best players in franchise history and/or they retire.
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No Jake Taylor on this list, but he is probably more well-known for that bunt. Here are the Top-5 for The Tribe.
The Tigers hit a ton of bombs in the 1980s and are one of a handful of teams to have triple-digit homers in each of the top 6 positions of their decade homer list. Alan Trammell is 6th with 130, which would be the leader on eleven teams.
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As good a home run park as Tiger Stadium was, the Astrodome was just the opposite as only Glenn Davis reached triple figures for Houston in the 1980s.
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No surprise at the top of this list, either, just one of the best hitters of the decade.
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The Dodgers were the only team to win multiple World Series titles in the decade but pitching, rather than power hitters, was the reason.
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The leader here is likely the second-least surprising overall. Robin Yount is Mr. Brewer, at least on the field. Uke could give him a run for his money.
The Brewers are another team with six guys in triple digits. Paul Molitor is 6th with 104.
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The decade began with some really bad baseball and ended with some pretty good baseball, including a ring in 1987. Only serious Twins fans will get #5 on the list.
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The Expos could have been a dynasty in the 1980s but never quite got over the hump. Still, there are three Hall of Famers on this list and two guys (Dawson and Carter) who make the list here and on another team.
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That 1986 team was something to watch but the before was rough and the decline was rapid.
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The leader in clubhouse turmoil for nearly 20 years has a Hall of Famer at the top of the list and a guy who many think belongs there at #2. He definitely needed a haircut, that’s for sure.
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One of the more underrated players of the decade heads the list for Oakland, though roster turnover likely plays a part.
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The leading home run hitter of the decade naturally was the franchise leader for the Phillies but there is a big dropoff after him.
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The Pirates are one of four teams whose home run leader for the decade did not reach triple figures. Chasing Dave Parker out of town is a factor in that.
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Carmelo Martinez has the honor of the lowest total for a franchise leader in the 1980s but the Padres were not really known for boppers during the decade.
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Two surprises here. The leader is the first one and the fact that just 11 homers separate the Top 5 guys is the other.
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Junior’s debut came too late for him to make the list, but the first Rookie of the Year in franchise history tops the list.
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Whitey Herzog emphasized speed over power and it shows in this list. Still, the Cardinals won the pennant twice and a ring in 1982 so to hard to argue with the results. Jack Clark is one of three players to crack the Top-5 for two franchises.
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The 1980s were not kind to Rangers fans, thanks in part to some of their owners, but they did have some pop. Larry Parrish heads the list.
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The man who homered thrice on Opening Day in 1988 tops the list and the Jays are the third team to have five players in triple digits.
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