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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!
Atlanta Braves
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.
Top 5:
- Dale Murphy – 308
- Bob Horner – 159
- Chris Chambliss – 80
- Claudell Washington – 67
- Glenn Hubbard – 59
Baltimore Orioles
Again, not a big surprise at the top of the list but Fred Lynn at #3 is unexpected.
Top 5:
- Eddie Murray – 254
- Cal Ripken Jr. – 204
- Fred Lynn – 87
- Larry Sheets – 84
- Gary Roenicke – 78
Boston Red Sox
The surprise here may be who is NOT at the top of the list.
Top 5:
- Dwight Evans – 256
- Jim Rice – 210
- Tony Armas – 113
- Rich Gedman – 83
- Wade Boggs – 64
California Angels
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.
Top 5:
- Brian Downing – 189
- Doug DeCinces – 130
- Reggie Jackson – 123
- Bobby Grich -111
- Wally Joyner – 85
Chicago Cubs
A lot of roster churn at Wrigley Field means some low totals but familiar names.
Top 5:
- Ryne Sandberg – 139
- Leon Durham – 138
- Jody Davis – 122
- Keith Moreland -100
- Andre Dawson – 94
Chicago White Sox
A similar story on the South Side of Chicago, but two Hall of Famers top the list.
Top 5:
- Harold Baines – 186
- Carlton Fisk – 174
- Ron Kittle – 122
- Greg Walker -113
- Greg Luzinski – 84
Cincinnati Reds
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.
Top 5:
- Eric Davis – 142
- Dave Parker – 107
- Nick Esasky – 92
- Johnny Bench -57
- Dan Driessen – 57
Cleveland Indians
No Jake Taylor on this list, but he is probably more well-known for that bunt. Here are the Top-5 for The Tribe.
- Joe Carter – 151
- Andre Thornton – 127
- Cory Snyder – 101
- Brook Jacoby -98
- Toby Harrah – 50
Detroit Tigers
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.
Top 5:
- Lance Parrish – 176
- Kirk Gibson – 149
- Lou Whitaker – 143
- Darrell Evans -141
- Chet Lemon – 137
Houston Astros
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.
Top 5:
- Glenn Davis – 144
- Jose Cruz – 89
- Kevin Bass – 78
- Alan Ashby -67
- Bill Doran – 63
Kansas City Royals
No surprise at the top of this list, either, just one of the best hitters of the decade.
Top 5:
- George Brett – 193
- Frank White – 126
- Steve Balboni – 119
- Hal McRae -85
- Bo Jackson – 81
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers were the only team to win multiple World Series titles in the decade but pitching, rather than power hitters, was the reason.
Top 5:
- Pedro Guerrero – 169
- Mike Marshall – 137
- Dusty Baker – 76
- Greg Brock -71
- Ron Cey – 65
Milwaukee Brewers
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.
Top 5:
- Robin Yount – 174
- Cecil Cooper – 144
- Ben Oglivie – 129
- Rob Deer -110
- Gorman Thomas – 109
Minnesota Twins
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.
Top 5:
- Kent Hrbek – 201
- Gary Gaetti – 185
- Tom Brunansky – 163
- Kirby Puckett -96
- Randy Bush – 82
Montreal Expos
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.
Top 5:
- Tim Wallach – 161
- Andre Dawson – 156
- Gary Carter – 118
- Tim Raines -87
- Andres Galarraga – 77
New York Mets
That 1986 team was something to watch but the before was rough and the decline was rapid.
Top 5:
- Darryl Strawberry – 215
- Howard Johnson – 117
- George Foster – 99
- Gary Carter – 89
- Keith Hernandez – 80
New York Yankees
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.
Top 5:
- Dave Winfield – 203
- Don Mattingly – 164
- Mike Pagliarulo – 105
- Rickey Henderson – 78
- Don Baylor – 71
Oakland A's
One of the more underrated players of the decade heads the list for Oakland, though roster turnover likely plays a part.
Top 5:
- Dwayne Murphy – 142
- Jose Canseco – 128
- Mark McGwire – 117
- Dave Kingman – 100
- Tony Armas – 85
Philadelphia Phillies
The leading home run hitter of the decade naturally was the franchise leader for the Phillies but there is a big dropoff after him.
Top 5:
- Mike Schmidt – 313
- Von Hayes – 107
- Juan Samuel – 100
- Glenn Wilson – 49
- Ozzie Virgil – 46
Pittsburgh Pirates
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.
Top 5:
- Jason Thompson – 93
- Barry Bonds – 84
- Bobby Bonilla – 64
- Tony Pena – 63
- Bill Madlock – 63
San Diego Padres
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.
Top 5:
- Carmelo Martinez – 82
- Terry Kennedy – 76
- Kevin McReynolds – 65
- Steve Garvey – 61
- Graig Nettles – 51
San Francisco Giants
Two surprises here. The leader is the first one and the fact that just 11 homers separate the Top 5 guys is the other.
Top 5:
- Chili Davis – 101
- Jeffrey Leonard – 99
- Will Clark – 98
- Jack Clark – 97
- Bob Brenly – 90
Seattle Mariners
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.
Top 5:
- Alvin Davis – 131
- Jim Pressley – 115
- Ken Phelps – 105
- Dave Henderson – 79
- Al Cowens – 56
St. Louis Cardinals
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.
Top 5:
- George Hendrick – 89
- Jack Clark – 66
- Darrell Porter – 54
- Willie McGee – 49
- Tom Brunansky – 42
Texas Rangers
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.
Top 5:
- Larry Parrish – 149
- Pete O’Brien -114
- Pete Incaviglia – 100
- Ruben Sierra – 98
- Buddy Bell – 69
Toronto Blue Jays
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.
Top 5:
- George Bell – 181
- Jesse Barfield -179
- Lloyd Moseby – 149
- Ernie Whitt – 131
- Willie Upshaw – 111
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