1980s Baseball

Brett Butler was a Baseball Time Traveler

One of the most unique players in baseball history, Brett Butler was not of his time, he was like a time traveler from another era. While baseball was pumping itself up with dumbbells, Butler was a puny little guy, a sliver of a man who looked like he could disappear down the drain in the clubhouse showers.

VIDEO: Bob Horner Hits 4 Home Runs Against Expos in 1986

But Horner struggled with injuries in his major league career and never got to the 500-home run mark. Or the 300-home run mark, for that matter. But he frequently showed the ability that made so many baseball experts excited about his future.

The Ultimate Cardinal: Willie McGee

In 1996, after a five-year absence, McGee came back to the Cardinals. He was 37, but he had some good baseball left in him, and he played four more seasons in Cardinal red.

Tony Gwynn: Pride of San Diego

Just when baseball seemed to be getting drunk on home runs, Tony Gwynn emerged to reveal the beauty of hitting a baseball.

Comiskey Park, circa 1986

In 1986, sports fans in Chicago were more excited about their football team and a young long-shorts-wearing basketball phenom than they were the White Sox. In January,

Barry Larkin: Cincinnati’s Greatest Shortstop

Of the great shortstops, Larkin had the most complete skills: he could run as fast as Eric Davis, he had the strongest arm in a generation, and only Ozzie was better with the glove.

The Ultimate Angel: Don Baylor

This is part of our series on the “Ultimate Franchise Players” in baseball history. These players are not necessarily the greatest players in franchise history. They are