Iconic Players from each decade (50's/60's/70's)

[pokerplyr80]

Banks won a couple of MVP in the 50s. I think he deserves a spot.

[David W]

I was born in 1963, and raised in Central Illinois. I'll leave the 50's and 60's alone except to say it would seem Willie, Mickey, and the Duke along with Ted Williams and Jackie Robinson would be tough to beat for the 50's and Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Juan Marichal would seem to be the stars of the 1960's.

In the 1970's when we played baseball we were almost always one of these guys.

I think Pete Rose and Reggie were far and away the most popular baseball players where I was.

[David W]

And for the 80's in the Midwest, you had these guys. No one was bigger than Mike Schmidt and Dale Murphy, and every wanna be pitcher tried the peek a boo wind up like Fernando.

I ran a little league and pony league program in the early 80's between college years, and every coach for about a year always had to "Check the pine tar" hahahaha.

In 1984 all the Cub fans went nuts over Ryno, and gave new hope to that franchise.

Meanwhile, Gooden burst on the scene and the Cardinals and Mets had a nice mini rivalry for a few years.

Then Rickey, Raines, Willie, and Vince brought the stolen base to prominence.

Throw in a few back flips by the Wizard of Oz, and this was baseball in the Midwest in the 80's

[Peter_Spaeth]

Gotta include Gwynn and Ripken on any 80s list.

[Neal]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Gotta include Gwynn and Ripken on any 80s list.

agreed ....

since the 80s are being discussed, the decade begins and ends with Michael Jack Schmidt.

Add Brett, Rickey, Ripken, Gwynn, Boggs, and Rose as well

1950's

Jackie Robinson