1981 Kansas City Royals | ||
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League | American League | |
Division | West | |
Ballpark | Royals Stadium | |
City | Kansas City, Missouri | |
Record | 50–53 (.485) | |
Divisional place | 4th | |
Owners | Ewing Kauffman | |
General managers | Joe Burke | |
Managers | Jim Frey and Dick Howser | |
Television | WDAF-TV 4 (Al Wisk, Denny Trease) | |
Radio | WIBW–AM 580 KMBZ–AM 980 (Denny Matthews, Fred White) | |
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The 1981 Kansas City Royals season was their 13th in Major League Baseball. The 1981 season was interrupted by a players strike from June 12 to July 31, and resumed on August 10. Major League Baseball officials decided to split the season, and the division winners of both halves would advance to the playoffs. The Royals were 20–30 and in fifth place in the American League West when the strike began, but won the second half with a 30–23 mark. Dick Howser replaced Jim Frey as manager on August 31. Kansas City's overall 50-53 record made the Royals the first team in MLB history to reach the postseason with a losing mark. Kansas City lost to the first half American League West winner Oakland Athletics 3–0 in the ALDS.
Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oakland Athletics | 64 | 45 | .587 | — | 35–21 | 29–24 |
Texas Rangers | 57 | 48 | .543 | 5 | 32–24 | 25–24 |
Chicago White Sox | 54 | 52 | .509 | 8½ | 25–24 | 29–28 |
Kansas City Royals | 50 | 53 | .485 | 11 | 19–28 | 31–25 |
California Angels | 51 | 59 | .464 | 13½ | 26–28 | 25–31 |
Seattle Mariners | 44 | 65 | .404 | 20 | 20–37 | 24–28 |
Minnesota Twins | 41 | 68 | .376 | 23 | 24–36 | 17–32 |
AL West First Half Standings | W | L | Pct. | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Oakland Athletics | 37 | 23 | .617 | — |
Texas Rangers | 33 | 22 | .600 | 1+1⁄2 |
Chicago White Sox | 31 | 22 | .585 | 2+1⁄2 |
California Angels | 31 | 29 | .517 | 6 |
Kansas City Royals | 20 | 30 | .400 | 12 |
Seattle Mariners | 21 | 36 | .368 | 14+1⁄2 |
Minnesota Twins | 17 | 39 | .304 | 18 |
AL West Second Half Standings | W | L | Pct. | GB |
---|---|---|---|---|
Kansas City Royals | 30 | 23 | .566 | — |
Oakland Athletics | 27 | 22 | .551 | 1 |
Texas Rangers | 24 | 26 | .480 | 4+1⁄2 |
Minnesota Twins | 24 | 29 | .453 | 6 |
Seattle Mariners | 23 | 29 | .442 | 6+1⁄2 |
Chicago White Sox | 23 | 30 | .434 | 7 |
California Angels | 20 | 30 | .400 | 8+1⁄2 |
Sources: | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | BAL | BOS | CAL | CWS | CLE | DET | KC | MIL | MIN | NYY | OAK | SEA | TEX | TOR |
Baltimore | — | 2–2 | 6–6 | 3–6 | 4–2 | 6–7 | 5–3 | 2–4 | 6–0 | 7–6 | 7–5 | 4–2 | 2–1 | 5–2 |
Boston | 2–2 | — | 2–4 | 5–4 | 7–6 | 6–1 | 3–3 | 6–7 | 2–5 | 3–3 | 7–5 | 9–3 | 3–6 | 4–0 |
California | 6–6 | 4–2 | — | 6–7 | 7–5 | 3–3 | 0–6 | 4–3 | 3–3 | 2–2 | 2–8 | 6–4 | 2–4 | 6–6 |
Chicago | 6–3 | 4–5 | 7–6 | — | 2–5 | 3–3 | 2–0 | 4–1 | 2–4 | 5–7 | 7–6 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 7–5 |
Cleveland | 2–4 | 6–7 | 5–7 | 5–2 | — | 1–5 | 4–4 | 3–6 | 2–1 | 7–5 | 3–2 | 8–4 | 2–2 | 4–2 |
Detroit | 7–6 | 1–6 | 3–3 | 3–3 | 5–1 | — | 3–2 | 5–8 | 9–3 | 3–7 | 1–2 | 5–1 | 9–3 | 6–4 |
Kansas City | 3–5 | 3–3 | 6–0 | 0–2 | 4–4 | 2–3 | — | 4–5 | 9–4 | 2–10 | 3–3 | 6–7 | 3–4 | 5–3 |
Milwaukee | 4–2 | 7–6 | 3–4 | 1–4 | 6–3 | 8–5 | 5–4 | — | 9–3 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 2–2 | 4–5 | 6–4 |
Minnesota | 0–6 | 5–2 | 3–3 | 4–2 | 1–2 | 3–9 | 4–9 | 3–9 | — | 3–3 | 2–8 | 3–6–1 | 5–8 | 5–1 |
New York | 6–7 | 3–3 | 2–2 | 7–5 | 5–7 | 7–3 | 10–2 | 3–3 | 3–3 | — | 4–3 | 2–3 | 5–4 | 2–3 |
Oakland | 5–7 | 5–7 | 8–2 | 6–7 | 2–3 | 2–1 | 3–3 | 2–4 | 8–2 | 3–4 | — | 6–1 | 4–2 | 10–2 |
Seattle | 2–4 | 3–9 | 4–6 | 3–3 | 4–8 | 1–5 | 7–6 | 2–2 | 6–3–1 | 3–2 | 1–6 | — | 5–8 | 3–3 |
Texas | 1–2 | 6–3 | 4–2 | 4–2 | 2–2 | 3–9 | 4–3 | 5–4 | 8–5 | 4–5 | 2–4 | 8–5 | — | 6–2 |
Toronto | 2–5 | 0–4 | 6–6 | 5–7 | 2–4 | 4–6 | 3–5 | 4–6 | 1–5 | 3–2 | 2–10 | 3–3 | 2–6 | — |
1981 Kansas City Royals roster | |||||||||
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Roster | |||||||||
Pitchers
| Catchers
Infielders
| Outfielders
Other batters
| Manager
Coaches
| ||||||
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C | John Wathan | 89 | 301 | 76 | .252 | 1 | 19 |
1B | Willie Aikens | 101 | 349 | 93 | .266 | 17 | 53 |
2B | Frank White | 94 | 364 | 91 | .250 | 9 | 38 |
SS | U L Washington | 98 | 339 | 77 | .227 | 2 | 29 |
3B | George Brett | 89 | 347 | 109 | .314 | 6 | 43 |
LF | Willie Wilson | 102 | 439 | 133 | .303 | 1 | 32 |
CF | Amos Otis | 99 | 372 | 100 | .269 | 9 | 57 |
RF | Darryl Motley | 42 | 125 | 29 | .232 | 2 | 8 |
DH | Hal McRae | 101 | 389 | 106 | .272 | 7 | 36 |
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
César Gerónimo | 59 | 118 | 29 | .246 | 2 | 13 |
Jamie Quirk | 46 | 100 | 25 | .250 | 0 | 10 |
Clint Hurdle | 28 | 76 | 25 | .329 | 4 | 15 |
Jerry Grote | 22 | 56 | 17 | .304 | 1 | 9 |
Lee May | 26 | 55 | 16 | .291 | 0 | 8 |
Dave Chalk | 27 | 49 | 11 | .224 | 0 | 5 |
Rance Mulliniks | 24 | 44 | 10 | .227 | 0 | 5 |
Ken Phelps | 21 | 22 | 3 | .136 | 0 | 1 |
Danny Garcia | 12 | 14 | 2 | .143 | 0 | 0 |
Pat Sheridan | 3 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Tim Ireland | 4 | 0 | 0 | ---- | 0 | 0 |
Onix Concepción | 2 | 0 | 0 | ---- | 0 | 0 |
Greg Keatley | 2 | 0 | 0 | ---- | 0 | 0 |
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dennis Leonard | 26 | 201.2 | 13 | 11 | 2.99 | 107 |
Larry Gura | 23 | 172.1 | 11 | 8 | 2.72 | 61 |
Rich Gale | 19 | 101.2 | 6 | 6 | 5.40 | 47 |
Paul Splittorff | 21 | 99.0 | 5 | 5 | 4.36 | 48 |
Mike Jones | 12 | 75.2 | 6 | 3 | 3.21 | 29 |
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jim Wright | 17 | 52.0 | 2 | 3 | 3.46 | 27 |
Atlee Hammaker | 10 | 39.0 | 1 | 3 | 5.54 | 11 |
Juan Berenguer | 8 | 19.2 | 0 | 4 | 8.69 | 20 |
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dan Quisenberry | 40 | 1 | 4 | 18 | 1.73 | 20 |
Renie Martin | 29 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2.77 | 25 |
Ken Brett | 22 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4.18 | 7 |
Bill Paschall | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.50 | 1 |
Jeff Schattinger | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 1 |
Oakland wins series, 3-0.
Game | Score | Date |
---|---|---|
1 | Oakland 4, Kansas City 0 | October 6 |
2 | Oakland 2, Kansas City 1 | October 7 |
3 | Oakland 4, Kansas City 1 | October 9 |
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: GCL Royals Gold
The 1981 Minnesota Twins season was the 21st season for the Minnesota Twins franchise in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, the 81st overall in the American League and the 21st and final season at Metropolitan Stadium, as the team moved to the Metrodome the next season.
The 1981 Baltimore Orioles season was the franchise's 28th season based in Baltimore and 81st overall season as a member of the American League. Games were suspended for 50 days due to the 1981 Major League Baseball strike, causing a split season. The Orioles competed as members of the American League East, finishing second in the first half of the season and fourth in the second half of the season; their overall record was 59 wins and 46 losses. The Orioles hit five grand slams, the most in MLB in 1981.
The 2002 Kansas City Royals season was the 34th season for the franchise, and their 30th at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals failed to improve on their 65-97 record from 2001 and finished fourth in the American League Central with a record of 62 wins and 100 losses, their first 100 loss season in franchise history. And once again, the Royals missed the postseason for the 17th consecutive season.
The 1993 Kansas City Royals season was the 25th season for the franchise, and their 21st at Kauffman Stadium. It involved the Royals finishing third in the American League West with a record of 84 wins and 78 losses. This was George Brett's final season in the major leagues, as well as the team's final season in the AL West.
The 1992 Kansas City Royals season was the 24th season for the franchise, and their 20th at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals failed to improve on their 82–80 record from 1991 and finished fifth in the American League West with a record of 72 wins and 90 losses. Thus they were eliminated from postseason contention for the 7th consecutive season.
The 1987 Kansas City Royals season was the 19th season for the franchise, and their 15th at Kauffman Stadium. It involved the Royals finishing second in the American League West with a record of 83 wins and 79 losses.
The 1986 Kansas City Royals season the 18th season in Royals franchise history, and they entered the season as the defending World Series champions. It involved the Royals finishing third in the American League West with a record of 76 wins and 86 losses.
The 1984 Kansas City Royals season was their 16th in Major League Baseball. The Royals won the American League West with a record of 84–78, but lost to the eventual World Series champion Detroit Tigers 3–0 in the ALCS. Dan Quisenberry's 44 saves paced the American League.
The 1983 Kansas City Royals season was their 15th in Major League Baseball. The Royals finished second in the American League West at 79–83, 20 games behind the Chicago White Sox. Dan Quisenberry's league-leading 45 saves also set a single-season franchise record.
The 1982 Kansas City Royals season was their 14th in Major League Baseball. The Royals finished second in the American League West at 90–72, three games behind the California Angels in the first full season as manager for Dick Howser. Hal McRae led the team with 27 home runs and led the American League in runs batted in and doubles (46). Dan Quisenberry's 35 saves was also tops in the American League.
The 1979 Kansas City Royals season was their 11th season in Major League Baseball. The Royals finished second in the American League West at 85–77, three games behind the California Angels and ending Kansas City's run of three consecutive division titles. Darrell Porter tied a single-season franchise record with 112 runs batted in. George Brett led the American League in hits (212) and triples (20). Manager Whitey Herzog was fired following the season.
The 1978 Kansas City Royals season was their tenth in Major League Baseball. The Royals won their third consecutive American League West title with a record of 92–70. For the third postseason in a row, Kansas City lost to the New York Yankees, falling 3-1 in the ALCS.
The 1977 Kansas City Royals season was their ninth in Major League Baseball. The Royals' franchise-best 102–60 record led the majors and Kansas City won its second consecutive American League West title. Once again, the Royals lost to the New York Yankees in the postseason, falling 3–2 in the ALCS. Hal McRae led the American League in doubles, with 54. Al Cowens set a franchise single-season record with 112 runs batted in.
The 1976 Kansas City Royals season was their eighth in Major League Baseball. The Royals won their first division title, taking the American League West with a record of 90–72 in the first full season as manager for Whitey Herzog. Kansas City was defeated 3-2 by the New York Yankees in the ALCS. George Brett (.333) became the first Royals player to win a league batting title.
The 1975 Kansas City Royals season was their seventh in Major League Baseball. The Royals' 91–71 record was the best in franchise history and Kansas City finished second in the American League West, six games behind the Oakland Athletics. Manager Jack McKeon was fired on July 24 and was replaced by Whitey Herzog. John Mayberry became the first Royals player to hit at least 30 home runs in a season (34) and also set a franchise single-season record with 106 runs batted in.
The 1974 Kansas City Royals season was their sixth in Major League Baseball. The Royals finished fifth in the American League West at 77–85, 13 games behind the Oakland Athletics. Pitcher Steve Busby set a single-season franchise record with 22 victories.
The 1972 Kansas City Royals season was their fourth in Major League Baseball. The Royals finished fourth in the American League West at 76–78, 16+1⁄2 games behind the Oakland Athletics. John Mayberry, in his first season with Kansas City, led the team with 25 home runs and 100 runs batted in. Mayberry was the first Royals player to drive in at least 100 runs in a season.
The 1971 season was the Kansas City Royals' third in Major League Baseball. The Royals had the first winning season (85–76) in franchise history, good enough for second place in the American League West and 16 games behind the Oakland Athletics. Kansas City earning a winning record in its third season was the second fastest of any expansion club in Major League Baseball history up to that point, the 1962 Los Angeles Angels achieved a winning record in their second season. The record would stand until the 1999 Arizona Diamondbacks won the National League West title in their second season.
The 1987 Cincinnati Reds season was the 118th season for the franchise in Major League Baseball, and their 18th and 17th full season at Riverfront Stadium. It resulted in another winning season for the Cincinnati Reds in the National League West. They failed, however, to overcome the Giants and finished in second place for a third consecutive year with a record of 84–78.
The 1976 Montreal Expos season was the eighth season in the history of the franchise. The Expos finished in last place in the National League East with a record of 55–107, 46 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies. This was their final season at Jarry Park; they relocated to Olympic Stadium for the 1977 season.