Who Won the National League West in 1980?
The National League West division of Major League Baseball saw a big shakeup in 1980. After two consecutive years of the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the division, the Houston Astros took the crown from them and became the 1980 National League West champions.
History of the National League West
The National League West division was formed in 1969. It consists of five teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the San Diego Padres, the San Francisco Giants, the Colorado Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks. The division was created to provide a more balanced competition in the National League.
The 1980 Season
The 1980 season was an exciting one, with the Dodgers and the Astros battling for the National League West title. The Dodgers were the defending champions of the division, having won the title for the previous two seasons. However, the Astros were determined to dethrone them.
The Dodgers’ Struggles
The Dodgers had a rough start to the season and struggled to keep up with the Astros. They finished the season with a record of 79-83, which was good enough for third place in the division. This was a far cry from their previous two years, when they had won the division title.
The Astros’ Success
The Astros, on the other hand, had a much more successful season. Led by their star pitcher, Nolan Ryan, they finished the season with an impressive record of 92-70. This was good enough to secure them the National League West title.
Nolan Ryan’s Dominance
Nolan Ryan was undoubtedly the star of the Astros’ team. He led the team to victory with his impressive pitching performances, finishing the season with an impressive ERA of 2.28. He also had a remarkable strikeout record, with 332 strikeouts in the season.
The Astros’ Lineup
The Astros had a strong lineup, full of talented players such as Jose Cruz and Enos Cabell. They were able to score plenty of runs, with Jose Cruz leading the way with a batting average of .320. The Astros also had a strong pitching staff, with Nolan Ryan and Joe Niekro leading the way.
The Dodgers’ Lineup
The Dodgers had a strong lineup as well, led by Steve Garvey and Dusty Baker. They were able to score plenty of runs, with Garvey leading the way with a batting average of .294. The Dodgers also had a strong pitching staff, with Jerry Reuss and Fernando Valenzuela leading the way.
The Aftermath
The Astros went on to win the 1980 National League West division title. This was the first time in three years that the Dodgers had not won the title. The Astros went on to make it to the World Series, but were ultimately defeated by the Philadelphia Phillies in six games.
Conclusion
The 1980 season saw the Astros dethrone the Dodgers as the National League West champions. Led by their star pitcher Nolan Ryan, they finished the season with an impressive record of 92-70. This was good enough to secure them the title, and they went on to make it to the World Series. It was a memorable season for the Astros and a major upset for the Dodgers.
National League West, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, 1980 Season, Dodgers Struggles, Astros Success, Nolan Ryan, Astros Lineup, Dodgers Lineup, Aftermath, Conclusion