25 Vintage Photos of the MLB in the ’70s and ’80s

History Sports March 28, 2025

The 1970s stand as an undeniable defining era for Major League Baseball. This decade was filled with legendary players, high-stakes rivalries, and unforgettable moments. It saw pure dominance from teams such as the Oakland Athletics and the surge in the popularity of free agency. This collection of vintage photos captures the explosive energy, impressive fashion, and the culture of the sport during this period in the history of Major League Baseball.

1. “Morganna the Kissing Bandit” from the late 1970s

Woman in sports attire runs excitedly toward a kneeling baseball player wearing a jersey with the number 34 and name "Ryan" on the back. The scene is set on a baseball field.
quickpresentation1

She took the world of professional baseball by storm back in the late seventies.

2. Catfish Hunter receives an elephant upon his retirement (1979)

A baseball player in a striped uniform speaks into a microphone on a field. An elephant stands beside him, with a young child nearby. The background shows a crowd of spectators in a stadium.
brusox20

So well, that happened. With a name like Catfish Hunter, you already knew that the retirement moment was going to outdo all expectations.

3. Randy Poffo after signing his first major league baseball contract in 1971. It didn’t work out though and he took those guns to the WWF and became Randy ‘Macho Man’ Savage.

A man with long hair and a mustache poses with a firm handshake. He is wearing a sleeveless baseball jersey with "Cardinals" and bird graphics on it. The background features wooden paneling.
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At least he found his true path.

4. Pete Rose sliding headfirst to third base in the 1976 World Series, Graig Nettles awaits the throw.

A baseball player dives mid-air towards a base, attempting to make a play, while another player stands near the base, ready to catch. The stadium is packed with spectators and banners hang in the background. The scene captures intense action.
losper

There are slides into bases and then there are literal dives.

5. August Anheuser “Gussie” Busch Jr. (brewing magnate and owner of the St. Louis Cardinals franchise in Major League Baseball from 1953 until his 1989 death) cheers on his home team in 1987.

An elderly man in a cowboy hat and glasses sits in a stadium holding a large foam finger that says "Go Cardinals" with a slogan. Policemen and other spectators are in the background.
axlcobainvedder

A legendary attendance, no doubt.

6. Former Oakland A’s ball girl and future cookie mogul, Debbie (Mrs.) Fields, 1974

A woman in shorts and knee-high socks, holding a baseball glove, smiles while walking near a dugout. Several baseball players in uniforms watch her from the bench. The stadium seats are mostly empty in the background.
knotsfarms

The actual Mrs. Fields before she took off into the stratosphere.

7. John Candelaria of the Pittsburgh Pirates (ca. 1979)

Baseball player in a yellow Pittsburgh Pirates uniform pitching on a baseball field. He is wearing a cap with a letter "P" and his left leg is lifted as he throws the ball.
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Just maybe one of the best throwback jerseys to be seen.

8. Stanley Burrell aka MC Hammer was an Oakland Athletics bat boy, here he is with Hammerin’ Hank Aaron in the early 70’s

A young boy in an Aries tank top smiles while standing next to a man in a "Brewers" jersey. Both are smiling inside a locker room, surrounded by hanging clothes.
seven117811

A moment that kid definitely never forgot.

9. Montreal Expos (LH) Bill “Spaceman” Lee. He threw a decent knuckleball.

A baseball player wearing a light blue Expos uniform with a cap is standing on the pitcher's mound, holding a glove. There's a wall with "330" in the background, and spectators are partially visible in the stands.
southernjake44

Nice touch with the beard too.

10. Nolan Ryan on the mound in 1973

A black and white photo of a baseball game at night. A batter is ready to swing, facing the pitcher who is throwing the ball. The scoreboard shows Angels leading Royals 3-0, displaying innings, runs, hits, and errors. Umpire visible behind the action.
oregontriplebeam

Nolan Ryan was not someone who you wanted to cross paths with when you stepped up to the plate.

11. Oscar Gamble for the Cleveland Municipals, (1973-1975)

A baseball player with an afro and mustache in a vintage uniform with "MUNIS" on the jersey. He holds a bat, wearing red, white, and blue wristbands, while another player in the background wears a jersey with "0" visible.
celveland

Yeah, he’s got his look on point.

12. Pete Rose runs into catcher Ray Fosse to win the 1970 all-star game for the National League

A black and white image of a baseball scene at home plate. A player slides into home as the catcher attempts a tag. The umpire observes closely, while another player watches the play unfold.
outrageouscod8431

Pete Rose really knew how to lay into someone who was in his way at the plate.

13. Hank Aaron holds up the ball that broke Babe Ruth’s home run record in 1974

A baseball player in a Braves jersey and cap, holding up a ball triumphantly in a crowded stadium. He wears the number 44 and is surrounded by enthusiastic fans and media personnel capturing the moment.
corpsman223

Surely, one of his best life moments that he ever experienced.

14. The sheer look of determination from Pete Rose here back in 1972.

A baseball player dives through the air towards home plate, with a catcher crouched and ready to tag him out. Spectators and team members watch in the background from the dugout.

Pete knew how to take off. Literally.

15. Dave Parker, right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, vibing in the clubhouse during the 1976 season

A man wearing a floppy hat and a T-shirt with the text "IF YOU HEAR ANY NOISE IT'S JUST ME AND THE BOYS BOPPIN" stands in front of a Pirates baseball jersey in a locker room.
strentchfrenchterry

Nothing quite like the clubhouse vibes.

16. Johnny Bench holding 7 baseballs in one hand (1971)

A man with short hair smiles while holding multiple baseballs in one hand and a handwritten letter in the other. He wears a t-shirt with "BIG RED MACHINE 5" printed on it. The photo has a vintage sepia tone.
paradesit

Okay, I see you, Johnny Bench.

17. Those caps were on point.

Baseball players wearing matching black and yellow striped uniforms and hats sit closely on a bench. One player with a mustache looks directly at the camera. Letters and stripes add detail to their attire. The mood appears relaxed and attentive.
livegas0919

Of course the lad with the most impressive stache catches the camera.

18. The handlebar stache though. Come on now, man.

A baseball player in a blue uniform with yellow accents and an "M" on his cap bends forward, holding a glove on a grassy field. The stadium seats in the background are mostly empty.
livegas226

Who wouldn’t smile with a handlebar mustache like that?

19. The shades.

Baseball player in a gray uniform with red stripes and "SOX" lettering watches the ball after swinging a bat. The player wears glasses and appears mid-action, with spectators visible in the blurred background.
livegas223

I just feel like this guy knew how to crowd home plate like none other.

20. Just having a ball at the ballgame.

Two baseball players in Pittsburgh Pirates uniforms sit on a bench, smiling and relaxing. Behind them, a group of excited children holds pens and paper, likely seeking autographs. The setting is a stadium with mostly empty blue seats.
livegas2234

The shared laughter that can break out at a ballgame just hits differently.

21. The jerseys might’ve had more swag back in the day.

A group of baseball players from various teams posing together. They wear uniforms from teams like the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, and Houston Astros. They are smiling.
livegas223

I’ll take one of each jersey, please.

22. Jerry Grote takes a moment with a fan.

A man in a floral shirt and white pants poses with a young boy indoors. A baseball card featuring a player named Jerry Grote is inset in the top left corner.
mistunderstood

The shirt chose by Jerry Grote adds to the nostalgia of the pic.

23. Hank Aaron and his wife Billye congratulate Sadaharu Oh on breaking Aaron’s home run record in a pre-game ceremony at Korakuen Stadium in 1977.

A baseball player bows and shakes hands with a woman on a field. Another man stands smiling beside them. Players in uniforms are lined up in the background. The scene is in black and white.
thecursedlexus

That was a classy moment in the history of professional sports.

24. John F. Kennedy Jr is seen with New York Mets baseball player Willie Mays at Shea Stadium in New York June 3, 1972.

A young person in a helmet and rain jacket is sitting beside a baseball player in a striped uniform. The player is holding a baseball bat, with both of them touching it. They are in a dugout.
augustustoo

What a moment for the MLB.

25. Rollie Fingers, March 10th, 1983

A baseball player wearing a vintage Milwaukee Brewers uniform with the number 34 stands on a field. The uniform is light blue with yellow trim, and he's wearing a matching cap. The background shows an empty stadium with red seats.
complexwrangler1346

The mustache that simply couldn’t be rivaled.

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