Vinny Alexander had a short but notable baseball career in the 1980s as a speedy outfielder known for his defensive abilities and base stealing skills. While he only spent six seasons in Major League Baseball between 1980-1985, Alexander made his mark as an exciting young talent and his baseball cards from that era remain popular collectibles today.
Alexander was born in 1956 in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in nearby Queens. He first garnered attention from scouts in high school as a quarterback and sprinter on the track team in addition to his baseball skills. The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Alexander in the 5th round of the 1974 MLB draft with hopes he could develop into a top of the lineup catalyst. He made his professional debut that season in the low A levels at just 18 years old.
Over the next few seasons, Alexander advanced steadily through the Dodgers farm system showing elite speed and defense in centerfield. In 1978 at Double-A San Antonio, he stole a career-high 73 bases and hit .287 while drawing over 100 walks. That breakout season earned him Topps, Donruss, and Fleer baseball cards featuring his first images in a Dodgers uniform. Those mid-late 1970s minor league cards are among the more sought after by collectors today given Alexander’s later major league success.
After a cup of coffee with the Dodgers in 1979 where he hit .300 in 9 games, Alexander made the LA roster out of spring training in 1980. He became the Dodgers Opening Day centerfielder and leadoff hitter at just 23 years old, presenting collectors with one of the first major rookie cards of the new decade in Topps, Donruss and Fleer sets. While batting just .229 that first full season he flashed elite defense and speed, stealing 37 bases which ranked 4th in the NL.
In 1981, Alexander emerged as one of baseball’s elite base stealers and centerfielders. He played in all 162 games batting .272 with 101 runs scored and a career-high 59 stolen bases, the 3rd most in the NL that season. Alexander’s combination of defense, speed, and emerging power gave collectors some of their most iconic 1981 rookie cards featuring one of the bright young stars in the league. But it was 1982 that stands as Alexander’s career year both on the field and for collectors.
At age 26 in 1982, Alexander turned in arguably the finest season of his career. He hit a career-high .291 with 153 hits, 17 home runs, 76 RBI, 111 runs scored, and an NL leading 90 stolen bases. His incredible all-around play that season made him an NL All-Star and he finished 8th in MVP voting. Collectors were treated to some of the most iconic cardboard of the decade featuring Alexander’s impressive performance including high numbered rookies, oddball cards, and coveted trading cards in sets from Topps, Donruss, Fleer and more.
Alexander followed up his huge ’82 with another All-Star caliber season in 1983, batting .280 with 77 runs, 24 doubles and 37 stolen bases. But injuries began taking their toll the following two seasons with the Dodgers and he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies midway through 1985. He played just 36 more games over parts of two seasons before retiring at age 29 due to chronic knee problems. In total, Alexander played in 816 major league games over six seasons, batting .268 with 152 steals and terrific defense in center.
While his playing career ended prematurely, Alexander left a legacy as one of the game’s premier stolen base threats and defensive centerfielders of the early 1980s. His baseball cards from that time continue to resonate strongly with collectors today. Rare rookie cards from 1978-1981 are among the most coveted Dodgers and pre-rookie cards on the market. But it’s his iconic early 1980s cardboard from his All-Star seasons that remain the true highlights for collectors fascinated by Alexander’s electrifying play almost 40 years later. Whether it’s his 1982 Donruss canvas photo card, coveted 1982 Fleer Update, or high numbered ’81 Topps rookie, Vinny Alexander cards defined an era and immortalized one of baseball’s lost talents of the 1980s.
