1981 Los Angeles Dodgers season

Last updated

1981  Los Angeles Dodgers
World Series Champions
National League Champions
National League West Co-Champions
League National League
Division West
Ballpark Dodger Stadium
CityLos Angeles
Record63–47 (.573) (Overall)
36–21 (.632) (First half)
27–26 (.509) (Second half)
Divisional place2nd (Overall)
1st (First half)
4th (Second half)
Owners Peter O'Malley
General managers Al Campanis
Managers Tommy Lasorda
Television KTTV (11)
Vin Scully, Jerry Doggett, Ross Porter
ONTV
Geoff Witcher, Al Downing
Radio KABC
Vin Scully, Jerry Doggett, Ross Porter
KTNQ
Jaime Jarrín, Rudy Hoyos
←  1980 Seasons 1982  →

The 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers season got off to a strong start when rookie pitcher Fernando Valenzuela pitched a shutout on opening day, starting the craze that came to be known as "Fernandomania." Fernando went on to win both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards.

Contents

The season was divided into two halves because of a two-month long mid-season players' strike. The Dodgers won the National League West in the first half and advanced to the playoffs. They beat the Houston Astros in the NLDS and the Montreal Expos in the NLCS before beating the New York Yankees to win the World Series.

Offseason

Regular season

Season standings

NL West
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Cincinnati Reds 6642.611—32‍–‍2234‍–‍20
Los Angeles Dodgers 6347.573433‍–‍2330‍–‍24
Houston Astros 6149.555631‍–‍2030‍–‍29
San Francisco Giants 5655.50511½29‍–‍2427‍–‍31
Atlanta Braves 5056.4721522‍–‍2728‍–‍29
San Diego Padres 4169.3732620‍–‍3521‍–‍34
NL West
First Half Standings		WLPct.GB
Los Angeles Dodgers 3621.632—
Cincinnati Reds 3521.6251⁄2
Houston Astros 2829.4918
Atlanta Braves 2529.4639+1⁄2
San Francisco Giants 2732.45810
San Diego Padres 2333.41112+1⁄2
NL West
Second Half Standings		WLPct.GB
Houston Astros 3320.623—
Cincinnati Reds 3121.5961+1⁄2
San Francisco Giants 2923.5583+1⁄2
Los Angeles Dodgers 2726.5096
Atlanta Braves 2527.4817+1⁄2
San Diego Padres 1836.33315+1⁄2

Record vs. opponents

1981 National League record

Sources:
TeamATLCHCCINHOULADMONNYMPHIPITSDSFSTL
Atlanta —3–2–16–54–87–73–73–34–52–39–65–74–3
Chicago 2–3–1—1–51–66–44–75–8–12–104–103–35–55–4–1
Cincinnati 5–65–1—8–48–85–47–35–24–210–29–50–5
Houston 8–46–14–8—4–85–26–34–62–411–39–62–4
Los Angeles 7–74–68–88–4—5–25–13–35–16–57–55–5
Montreal 7–37–44–52–52–5—9–37–410–34–22–56–9
New York 3–38–5–13–73–61–53–9—7–73–6–12–52–46–5
Philadelphia 5-410–22–56–43–34–77–7—7–54–24–37–6
Pittsburgh 3–210–42–44–21–53–106–3–15–7—6–43–73–8
San Diego 6–93–32–103–115–62–45–22–44–6—6–73–7
San Francisco 7–55–55–96–95–75–24–23–47–37–6—2–3
St. Louis 3–44–5–15–04–25–59–65–66–78–37–33–2—

Opening Day lineup

Opening Day starters
NamePosition
Davey Lopes Second baseman
Ken Landreaux Center fielder
Dusty Baker Left fielder
Steve Garvey First baseman
Ron Cey Third baseman
Pedro Guerrero Right fielder
Mike Scioscia Catcher
Bill Russell Shortstop
Fernando Valenzuela Starting pitcher

Roster

1981 Los Angeles Dodgers

Roster
PitchersCatchers

Infielders

OutfieldersManager

Coaches

Game log

Regular season Game log

First half

Legend
 Dodgers win
 Dodgers loss
 Clinched division
BoldDodgers team member
1981 regular season game log: 36–21 (Home: 17–8; Away: 19–13) [3]
April: 14–5 (Home: 7–3; Away: 7–2)
#DateTime (PT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecordBox
Streak
1April 9 Astros W 2–0 Valenzuela (1–0) Niekro (0–1)–50,5111–0
2April 11 Astros W 7–4 Hooton (1–0) Sutton (0–1)–51,6912–0
3April 12 Astros W 3–2 Sutcliffe (1–0) Ruhle (0–1) Howe (1)50,7343–0
4April 13@ Giants W 4–3 Stewart (1–0) Ripley (0–1) Castillo (1)20,6984–0
5April 14@ Giants W 7–1 Valenzuela (2–0) Blue (0–1)–23,7905–0
6April 15@ Giants W 4–2 Hooton (2–0) Whitson (0–1) Castillo (2)20,7756–0
7April 17@ Padres L 2–3 (10) Lollar (1–0) Howe (0–1)–26,1576–1
8April 18@ Padres W 2–0 Valenzuela (3–0) Wise (0–2)–19,7767–1
9April 19@ Padres W 6–1 Welch (1–0) Curtis (0–2) Castillo (3)11,4988–1
10April 20@ Astros W 5–2 Hooton (3–0) Andújar (0–1) Goltz (1)21,7309–1
11April 21@ Astros L 0–1 Knepper (1–0) Reuss (0–1)–21,9049–2
12April 22@ Astros W 1–0 Valenzuela (4–0) Sutton (0–3)–22,83010–2
13April 23 Padres W 3–1 Sutcliffe (2–0) Wise (0–3) Howe (2)35,02711–2
14April 24 Padres L 5–6 Lucas (2–1) Castillo (0–1) Lollar (1)49,25611–3
15April 25 Padres W 2–1 (11) Howe (1–1) Littlefield (0–1)–44,98512–3
16April 26 Padres W 3–2 Reuss (1–1) Lucas (2–2)–50,53313–3
17April 27 Giants W 5–0 Valenzuela (5–0) Griffin (1–2)–49,47814–3
18April 28 Giants L 1–6 Ripley (1–2) Sutcliffe (2–1)–39,89914–4
19April 29 Giants L 2–3 Blue (2–2) Welch (1–1) Minton (3)39,11014–5
May: 19–10 (Home: 9–3; Away: 10–7)
#DateTime (PT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecordBox
Streak
20May 1@ Expos L 8–9 (13) Lee (1–0) Castillo (0–2)–28,17914–6L3
21May 2@ Expos W 4–0 Reuss (2–1) Sanderson (3–1)–22,82015–6W1
22May 3@ Expos W 6–1 (10) Valenzuela (6–0) Gullickson (1–2)–46,40516–6W2
23May 4@ Expos L 3–4 Rogers (3–1) Sutcliffe (2–2) Sosa (2)21,52716–7L1
24May 5@ Phillies L 7–8 Lyle (2–1) Castillo (0–3)–27,24116–8
25May 6@ Phillies W 2–1 Hooton (4–0) Espinosa (1–2)–25,85017–8
26May 7@ Phillies W 2–1 Reuss (3–1) Bystrom (2–1)–29,25918–8
27May 8@ Mets W 1–0 Valenzuela (7–0) Scott (1–3)–39,84819–8
28May 9@ Mets L 4–7 Allen (2–0) Castillo (1–3) Reardon (1)16,77619–9
29May 10@ Mets W 5–3 Welch (2–1) Jones (0–5) Howe (3)12,10220–9
30May 12 Expos W 5–0 Hooton (5–0) Burris (2–3) Howe (4)34,36721–9W2
31May 13 Expos W 8–6 Howe (2–1) Fryman (2–1)–42,71222–9W3
32May 14 Expos W 3–2 Valenzuela (8–0) Ratzer (1–1)–53,90623–9W4
33May 15 Mets W 6–5 Howe (3–1) Allen (2–1)–49,86024–9
34May 16 Mets W 9–0 Hooton (6–0) Roberts (0–3)–51,00025–9
35May 17 Mets W 6–1 Reuss (4–1) Zachry (3–5)–50,74626–9
36May 18 Phillies L 0–4 Bystrom (3–2) Valenzuela (8–1)–52,43926–10
37May 19 Phillies L 2–3 Ruthven (6–1) Welch (2–2)–43,81226–11
38May 20 Phillies W 3–2 (10) Howe (4–1) McGraw (1–4)–50,91727–11
39May 22@ Reds W 4–2 (12) Stewart (2–0) Bair (1–1)–27,94328–11
40May 23@ Reds W 9–6 (10) Stewart (3–0) Moskau (1–1) Castillo (4)40,92829–11
41May 24@ Reds L 2–3 Moskau (2–1) Welch (2–3) Price (1)–29–12
42May 24@ Reds W 10–3 Castillo (1–4) Berenyi (4–2)–36,11330–12
43 May 25@ Braves W 7–1 Hooton (7–0) Walk (1–4) Castillo (5)11,91131–12
44 May 27@ Braves L 2–3 Camp (5–1) Howe (4–2)–17,58131–13
45 May 28@ Braves L 4–9 Perry (4–3) Valenzuela (8–2)–26,59731–14
46May 29 Reds W 5–2 Welch (3–3) LaCoss (2–5) Howe (5)45,74932–14
47May 30 Reds L 1–9 Pastore (2–2) Hooton (7–1)–43,58232–15
48May 31 Reds W 16–4 Goltz (1–0) Soto (4–6)–46,41133–15
June: 3–6 (Home: 1–2; Away: 2–4)
#DateTime (PT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecordBox
Streak
49 June 1 Braves W 5–2 Valenzuela (9–2) Boggs (1–8)–49,13634–15
50 June 2 Braves L 1–3 (10) Perry (5–3) Stewart (3–1) Camp (6)37,44834–16
51 June 3 Braves L 2–4 Niekro (4–3) Hooton (7–2) Camp (7)42,64934–17
52June 5@ Cubs L 3–4 Reuschel (3–7) Reuss (4–2) Tidrow (4)7,81534–18
53June 6@ Cubs L 5–11 McGlothen (1–3) Valenzuela (9–3)30,55634–19
54June 7@ Cubs W 7–0 Welch (4–3) Martz (2–5)–20,02435–19
55June 9@ Cardinals L 1–6 Forsch (6–2) Hooton (7–3) Sutter (10)19,65435–20
56June 10@ Cardinals W 4–1 Reuss (5–2) Sorensen (5–5)–17,77936–20
57June 11@ Cardinals L 1–2 Martínez (2–4) Valenzuela (9–4) Sutter (11)39,25036–21

Games canceled by the 1981 Major League Baseball strike

Legend
 Canceled
1981 regular season game log
June
#DateTime (PT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecordBox
Streak
—June 12@ Pirates Canceled
—June 13@ Pirates Canceled
—June 14@ Pirates Canceled
—June 15 Cubs Canceled
—June 16 Cubs Canceled
—June 17 Cardinals Canceled
—June 18 Cardinals Canceled
—June 19 Pirates Canceled
—June 20 Pirates Canceled
—June 21 Pirates Canceled
—June 22 Padres Canceled
—June 23 Padres Canceled
—June 24 Padres Canceled
—June 26@ Astros Canceled
—June 27@ Astros Canceled
—June 28@ Astros Canceled
—June 29@ Padres Canceled
—June 30@ Padres Canceled
July
#DateTime (PT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecordBox
Streak
—July 1@ Padres Canceled
—July 2@ Padres Canceled
—July 3@ Giants Canceled
—July 4@ Giants Canceled
—July 5@ Giants Canceled
—July 7 Astros Canceled
—July 8 Astros Canceled
—July 9 Astros Canceled
—July 10 Giants Canceled
—July 11 Giants Canceled
—July 12 Giants Canceled
—July 16@ Expos Canceled
—July 17@ Expos Canceled
—July 18@ Phillies Canceled
—July 19@ Phillies Canceled
—July 20@ Phillies Canceled
—July 21@ Mets Canceled
—July 22@ Mets Canceled
—July 23@ Mets Canceled
—July 24 Expos Canceled
—July 25 Expos Canceled
—July 26 Expos Canceled
—July 27 Mets Canceled
—July 28 Mets Canceled
—July 29 Mets Canceled
—July 31 Phillies Canceled
August
#DateTime (PT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecordBox
Streak
—August 1 Phillies Canceled
—August 2 Phillies Canceled
—August 4@ Reds Canceled
—August 5@ Reds Canceled
—August 7@ Braves Canceled
—August 8@ Braves Canceled
—August 9@ Braves Canceled

Second half

Legend
 Dodgers win
 Dodgers loss
BoldDodgers team member
1981 regular season game log: 27–26 (Home: 16–15; Away: 11–11) [4]
August: 12–9 (Home: 6–6; Away: 6–3)
#DateTime (PT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecordBox
Streak
—August 95:00 p.m. PDT 52nd All-Star Game in Cleveland, OH
58August 10 Reds W 4–0 Reuss (6–2) Pastore (3–3) Howe (6)35,12037–21
59August 11 Reds L 6–7 Brown (1–0) Forster (0–1) Hume (6)45,81737–22
60August 12 Reds W 8–5 Stewart (4–1) Seaver (7–2) Howe (7)36,49438–22
61 August 13 Braves L 1–9 Boggs (2–10) Hooton (7–4) Garber (1)27,41838–23
62 August 14 Braves W 5–0 Goltz (2–0) Montefusco (1–3) Peña (1)35,59239–23
63 August 15 Braves L 4–6 Bedrosian (1–0) Reuss (6–3) Hrabosky (1)40,51039–24
64 August 16 Braves W 6–5 Niedenfuer (1–0) Bedrosian (1–1) Stewart (1)50,34040–24
65August 17@ Cubs L 1–3 Bird (2–0) Welch (4–4)–10,15340–25
66August 18@ Cubs W 5–0 Hooton (8–4) Griffin (0–1)–15,97341–25
67August 19@ Cubs L 3–4 Krukow (4–6) Goltz (2–1) Martz (2)26,86041–26
68August 21@ Cardinals W 4–0 Reuss (7–3) Andújar (3–4)–33,37542–26
69August 22@ Cardinals W 3–2 Valenzuela (10–4) Forsch (7–3) Stewart (2)38,75143–26
70August 23@ Cardinals L 7–11 Shirley (5–3) Welch (4–5) Sutter (15)18,18943–27
71August 24@ Pirates W 3–0 Hooton (9–4) Jones (1–1)–12,30844–27
72August 25@ Pirates W 9–7 (11) Peña (1–0) Tekulve (4–5) Niedenfuer (1)16,77045–27
73August 26@ Pirates W 16–6 Reuss (8–3) Rhoden (7–2)–11,14446–27
74August 27 Cubs W 6–0 Valenzuela (11–4) Martz (4–6)–48,19147–27
75August 28 Cubs W 6–1 Welch (5–5) Krukow (4–7) Stewart (3)42,16048–27
76August 29 Cubs L 1–3 Griffin (1–1) Hooton (9–5) Smith (1)47,42448–28
77August 30 Cubs L 1–2 Bird (3–1) Goltz (2–2) Tidrow (7)34,28448–29
78August 31 Pirates L 4–5 (10) Jones (2–1) Stewart (4–2) D. Robinson (1)35,86248–30
September: 13–15 (Home: 8–7; Away: 5–8)
#DateTime (PT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecordBox
Streak
79September 1 Pirates W 3–2 (14) Niedenfuer (2–0) Jones (2–2)–50,13449–30
80September 2 Pirates W 6–2 Welch (6–5) Long (0–1) Peña (2)32,02750–30
81September 3 Cardinals L 3–5 Littell (1–1) Howe (4–3) Sutter (19)30,12250–31
82September 4 Cardinals L 2–7 Martin (5–2) Goltz (2–3)–48,11450–32
83September 5 Cardinals W 4–3 (11) Niedenfuer (3–0) Kaat (6–3)–36,05851–32
84September 6 Cardinals W 5–0 Valenzuela (12–4) Forsch (7–5)–46,78052–32
85September 7 Giants W 5–1 Welch (7–5) Whitson (5–7) Niedenfuer (2)49,56153–32
86September 8 Giants W 4–0 Hooton (10–5) Alexander (8–6) Stewart (4)31,70254–32
87September 9 Giants L 3–6 (11) Holland (6–4) Niedenfuer (3–1)–31,48254–33
88September 11@ Reds L 2–3 (10) Price (5–1) Peña (1–1)–25,23754–34
89September 12@ Reds L 5–6 (11) LaCoss (4–7) Power (0–1)–34,09054–35
90September 13@ Reds W 4–2 Castillo (2–4) Pastore (3–7) Stewart (5)27,85855–35
91September 14@ Padres W 10–5 Power (1–1) Show (0–2)–7,24356–35
92September 15@ Padres L 2–8 Eichelberger (8–6) Goltz (2–4)–9,92756–36
93 September 16 Braves W 3–2 Reuss (9–3) Perry (7–7) Howe (8)19,90557–36
94 September 17 Braves W 2–0 Valenzuela (13–4) Mahler (5–6)–46,16858–36
95September 18 Reds L 4–5 Price (6–1) Stewart (4–3) Hume (10)44,25858–37
96September 19 Reds L 3–7 Edelen (2–0) Hooton (10–6)–48,35258–38
97September 20 Reds L 1–5 Soto (9–9) Power (1–2)–39,56058–39
98September 22@ Giants L 2–5 Whitson (6–8) Valenzuela (13–5) Minton (17)28,04658–40
99September 23@ Giants L 4–8 Lavelle (1–6) Goltz (2–5) Breining (1)13,05858–41
100September 24@ Giants W 7–3 Welch (8–5) Griffin (8–8)–12,72659–41
101September 25@ Astros W 3–0 Hooton (11–6) Ruhle (4–5)–35,48160–41
102September 26@ Astros L 0–5 Ryan (10–5) Power (1–3)–32,11560–42
103September 27@ Astros L 1–4 Sutton (11–8) Valenzuela (13–6)–41,68660–43
104 September 28@ Braves L 1–2 Mahler (7–6) Reuss (9–4) Camp (16)2,34860–44
105 September 29@ Braves W 5–3 Howe (5–3) Garber (4–6) Stewart (6)2,15061–44
106September 30 Padres L 0–2 Boone (1–0) Goltz (2–6) Lucas (13)19,46761–45
October: 2–2 (Home: 2–2; Away: 0–0)
#DateTime (PT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceRecordBox
Streak
107October 1 Padres L 0–1 Kuhaulua (1–0) Valenzuela (13–7) Show (3)38,26761–46
108October 2 Astros W 6–1 Reuss (10–4) Sutton (11–9)–46,10862–46
109October 3 Astros W 7–2 Welch (9–5) Niekro (9–9)–42,27263–46
110October 4 Astros L 3–5 Smith (5–3) Goltz (2–7)–47,07263–47

Postseason Game log

Legend
 Dodgers win
 Dodgers loss
 Postponement
BoldDodgers team member
1981 Postseason game log: 10–6 (Home: 7–1; Away: 3–5)
NL Division Series: vs. Houston Astros 3–2 (Home: 3–0; Away: 0–2) [5]
#DateTime (PT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceSeriesBox
Streak
1October 65:15 p.m. PDT @ Astros L 1–3 Ryan (1–0) Stewart (0–1)–44,8360–1
2October 710:05 a.m. PDT @ Astros L 0–1 (11) Sambito (1–0) Stewart (0–2)–42,3980–2
3October 91:05 p.m. PDT Astros W 6–1 Hooton (1–0) Knepper (0–1)–46,8201–2
4October 105:15 p.m. PDT Astros W 2–1 Valenzuela (1–0) Ruhle (0–1–55,9832–2
5October 111:05 p.m. PDT Astros W 4–0 Reuss (1–0) Ryan (1–1)–55,9793–2
NL Championship Series: vs. Montreal Expos 3–2 (Home: 1–1; Away: 2–1) [6]
#DateTime (PT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceSeriesBox
Streak
1October 131:05 p.m. PDT Expos W 5–1 Hooton (1–0) Gullickson (0–1)–51,2731–0
2October 145:20 p.m. PDT Expos L 0–3 Burris (1–0) Valenzuela (0–1)–53,4631–1
3October 165:20 p.m. PDT @ Expos L 1–4 Rogers (1–0) Reuss (0–1)–54,3721–2
4October 1710:05 a.m. PDT @ Expos W 7–1 Hooton (2–0) Gullickson (0–2)–54,4992–2
—October 18@ Expos Postponed (Rain)(Makeup date: October 19)
5October 1910:05 a.m. PDT @ Expos W 2–1 Valenzuela (1–1) Rogers (1–1) Welch (1)36,4913–2
World Series: vs. New York Yankees 4–2 (Home: 3–0; Away: 1–2) [7]
#DateTime (PT)OpponentScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceSeriesBox
Streak
1October 205:30 p.m. PDT @ Yankees L 3–5 Guidry (1–0) Reuss (0–1) Gossage (1)56,4700–1
2October 215:20 p.m. PDT @ Yankees L 0–3 John (1–0) Hooton (0–1) Gossage (2)56,5050–2
3October 235:30 p.m. PDT Yankees W 5–4 Valenzuela (1–0) Frazier (0–1)–56,2361–2
4October 241:25 p.m. PDT Yankees W 8–7 Howe (1–0) Frazier (0–2)–56,2422–2
5October 251:45 p.m. PST Yankees W 2–1 Reuss (1–1) Ron Guidry (1–1)–56,1153–2
—October 27@ Yankees Postponed (Rain)(Makeup date: October 28)
6October 285:20 p.m. PST @ Yankees W 9–2 Hooton (1–1) Frazier (0–3) Howe (1)56,5134–2
Legend:       = Win       = Loss       = Postponement
Bold = Dodgers team member

Detailed records

Day-by-Day

First half
Day-by-Day
DateGame No.OpponentRecordPct.Position GB Ref.
Second half
Day-by-Day
DateGame No.OpponentRecordPct.Position GB Ref.

Composite Box

1963 Los Angeles Dodgers Inning–by–Inning Boxscore
Team1234567891011121314RHE
Opponents
Dodgers

Sources:

Starting lineups

Regular season

Regular season
Hitting
Batting order
#DateOpponent 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th
Regular season
Fielding
Defensive lineup
#DateOpponent C 1B 2B 3B SS LF CF RF SP

Playoffs

NL Western Division Series
Hitting
Batting order
#DateOpponent 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th
1October 6 @ Astros
2October 7 @ Astros
3October 9 Astros
3October 10 Astros
3October 11 Astros
NL Western Division Series
Fielding
Defensive lineup
#DateOpponent C 1B 2B 3B SS LF CF RF SP
1October 6 @ Astros
2October 7 @ Astros
3October 9 Astros
3October 10 Astros
3October 11 Astros
NL Championship Series
Hitting
Batting order
#DateOpponent 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th
1October 13 Expos
2October 14 Expos
3October 16 @ Expos
4October 17 @ Expos
5October 19 @ Expos
NL Championship Series
Fielding
Defensive lineup
#DateOpponent C 1B 2B 3B SS LF CF RF SP
1October 13 Expos
2October 14 Expos
3October 16 @ Expos
4October 17 @ Expos
5October 19 @ Expos
World Series
Hitting
Batting order
#DateOpponent 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th
1October 20 @ Yankees
2October 21 @ Yankees
3October 23 Yankees
4October 24 Yankees
5October 25 Yankees
6October 28 @ Yankees
World Series
Fielding
Defensive lineup
#DateOpponent C 1B 2B 3B SS LF CF RF SP
1October 20 @ Yankees
2October 21 @ Yankees
3October 23 Yankees
4October 24 Yankees
5October 25 Yankees
6October 28 @ Yankees

Game umpires

Regular season

Regular season
#DateOpponentHP1B2B3B

Playoffs

NL Western Division Series
#DateOpponentHP1B2B3BLFRF
1October 6 @ HOU
(NL)
(NL)
(NL)
(NL)
(NL)
(crew chief)
(NL)
2October 7 @ HOU
(NL)
(NL)
(NL)
(NL)
(crew chief)
(NL)
(NL)
3October 9 HOU
(NL)
(NL)
(NL)
(crew chief)
(NL)
(NL)
(NL)
3October 10 HOU
(NL)
(NL)
(crew chief)
(NL)
(NL)
(NL)
(NL)
3October 11 HOU
(NL)
(crew chief)
(NL)
(NL)
(NL)
(NL)
(NL)
NL Championship Series
#DateOpponentHP1B2B3BLFRF
1October 13 MTL Paul Pryor
(NL)		 Eric Gregg
(NL)		 Paul Runge
(NL)		 Dutch Rennert
(NL)		 Harry Wendelstedt
(NL)
(crew chief)		 Joe West
(NL)
2October 14 MTL Eric Gregg
(NL)		 Paul Runge
(NL)		 Dutch Rennert
(NL)		 Harry Wendelstedt (NL)
(crew chief)		 Joe West
(NL)		 Paul Pryor
(NL)
3October 16 @ MTL Paul Runge
(NL)		 Dutch Rennert
(NL)		 Harry Wendelstedt
(NL)
(crew chief)		 Joe West
(NL)		 Paul Pryor
(NL)		 Eric Gregg
(NL)
4October 17 @ MTL Dutch Rennert
(NL)		 Harry Wendelstedt
(NL)
(crew chief)		 Joe West
(NL)		 Paul Pryor
(NL)		 Eric Gregg
(NL)		 Paul Runge
(NL)
5October 19 @ MTL Harry Wendelstedt
(NL)
(crew chief)		 Joe West
(NL)		 Paul Pryor
(NL)		 Eric Gregg
(NL)		 Paul Runge
(NL)		 Dutch Rennert
(NL)
World Series
#DateOpponentHP1B2B3BLFRF
1October 20 @ NYY
(AL)
(crew chief)
(NL)
(AL)
(NL)
(AL)
(NL)
2October 21 @ NYY
(NL)
(AL)
(NL)
(AL)
(NL)
(AL)
(crew chief)
3October 23 NYY
(AL)
(NL)
(AL)
(NL)
(AL)
(crew chief)
(NL)
4October 24 NYY
(NL)
(AL)
(NL)
(AL)
(crew chief)
(NL)
(AL)
5October 25 NYY
(AL)
(NL)
(AL)
(crew chief)
(NL)
(AL)
(NL)
6October 28 @ NYY
(NL)
(AL)
(crew chief)
(NL)
(AL)
(NL)
(AL)

Starting pitchers stats

Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; ERA = Earned run average; W/L = Wins/Losses; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts; CG = Complete games

NameGGSIPERAW/LBBSOCG
Fernando Valenzuela 2525192.12.4813-76118011
Burt Hooton 2323142.12.2811-633745
Bob Welch 2323141.13.449-541882
Jerry Reuss 2222152.22.3010-427518

Relief pitchers stats

Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; ERA = Earned run average; W/L = Wins/Losses; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts; SV = Saves

NameGGSIPERAW/LBBSOSV
Steve Howe 41054.02.505-318328
Bobby Castillo 34150.25.332-418325
Dave Stewart 32043.12.494-314296
Terry Forster 21030.24.110-115170
Dave Goltz 26877.04.092-725481
Rick Sutcliffe 14647.04.022-220160
Tom Niedenfuer 17026.03.813-16122
Alejandro Peña 14025.12.841-111142
Ted Power 5214.13.141-3770

Batting stats

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; Avg. = Batting average; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases

NamePosGABAvg.RHHRRBISB
Mike Scioscia C93290.27627802290
Steve Yeager C4286.209518370
Jerry Grote C22.00000000
Steve Garvey 1B110431.2836312210643
Davey Lopes 2B58214.289354451720
Bill Russell SS82262.23320610222
Ron Cey 3B85312.288429013500
Derrel Thomas 2B/3B/SS/OF80218.24825544247
Steve Sax 2B31119.2771533295
Pepe Frías SS/2B/3B2536.25069030
Reggie Smith 1B4135.20057180
Mike Marshall 1B/3B/OF1425.20025010
Gary Weiss SS1419.10522010
Jack Perconte 2B89.22222011
Dusty Baker OF103400.3204812894910
Pedro Guerrero OF/3B/1B98347.3004610412485
Ken Landreaux OF99390.251489874118
Rick Monday OF66130.315244111251
Jay Johnstone OF/1B6183.205817360
Ron Roenicke OF2247.234611001
Joe Ferguson OF1714.14322010
Candy Maldonado OF1112.09301000
Bobby Mitchell OF105.12501000
Mark Bradley OF96.16721000

Postseason

1981 National League Division Series

In the divisional series, the Dodgers fell behind the Houston Astros two games to zero but came back to win the next three games to take the series and advance to the LCS.

Game 1

October 6, The Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Team123456789RHE
Los Angeles000010000120
Houston000100002380
W: Nolan Ryan (1-0)  L: Dave Stewart (0-1)  
HRs: LA– Steve Garvey (1)  HOU– Alan Ashby (1)

Game 2

October 7, The Astrodome, Houston, Texas

Team1234567891011RHE
Los Angeles00000000000091
Houston00000000001190
W: Joe Sambito (1-0)  L: Dave Stewart (0-2)  
HRs: LA– none   HOU– none

Game 3

October 9, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

Team123456789RHE
Houston001000000132
Los Angeles30000300X6100
W: Burt Hooton (1-0)  L: Bob Knepper (0-1)  
HRs: HOU– Art Howe (1)  LA– Steve Garvey (2)

Game 4

October 10, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

Team123456789RHE
Houston000000001140
Los Angeles00001010X240
W: Fernando Valenzuela (1-0)  L: Vern Ruhle (0-1)  
HRs: HOU– none  LA– Pedro Guerrero (1)

Game 5

October 11, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

Team123456789RHE
Houston000000000053
Los Angeles00000310X472
W: Jerry Reuss (1-0)  L: Nolan Ryan (1-1)  
HRs: HOU– none  LA– none

1981 National League Championship Series

The Dodgers faced the Montreal Expos in the 1981 NLCS and beat them three games to two, thanks to a ninth-inning home run by Rick Monday in Game 5.

Game 1

October 13, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

Team123456789RHE
Montreal000000001190
Los Angeles02000003X580
W: Burt Hooton (1-0)  L: Bill Gullickson (0-1)  
HRs: MON– None  LAD– Pedro Guerrero (1), Mike Scioscia (1)
Pitchers: MON– Gullickson, Reardon (8)  LAD– Hooton, Welch (8), Howe (9)
Attendance: 51,273

Game 2

October 14, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

Team123456789RHE
Montreal0200010003101
Los Angeles000000000051
W: Ray Burris (1-0)  L: Fernando Valenzuela (0-1)  
HRs: MON– None  LAD– None
Pitchers: MON– Burris  LAD– Valenzuela, Niedenfuer (7), Forster (7), Pena (7), Castillo (9)
Attendance: 53,463

Game 3

October 16, Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec

Team123456789RHE
Los Angeles000100000170
Montreal00000400X471
W: Steve Rogers (1-0)  L: Jerry Reuss (0-1)  
HRs: LAD– None  MON– Jerry White (1)
Pitchers: LAD– Reuss, Pena (8)  MON– Rogers
Attendance: 54,372

Game 4

October 17, Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec

Team123456789RHE
Los Angeles0010000247121
Montreal000100000151
W: Burt Hooton (2-0)  L: Bill Gullickson (0-2)
HRs: LAD– Steve Garvey (1)  MON– None
Pitchers: LAD– Hooton, Welch (8), Howe (9)  MON– Gullickson, Fryman (8), Sosa (9), Lee (9)
Attendance: 54,499

Game 5

October 19, Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec

Team123456789RHE
Los Angeles000010001260
Montreal100000000131
W: Fernando Valenzuela (1-1)  L: Steve Rogers (1-1)  SV: Bob Welch (1)
HRs: LAD– Rick Monday (1)  MON– None
Pitchers: LAD– Valenzuela, Welch (9)  MON– Burris, Rogers (9)
Attendance: 36,491

1981 World Series

The Dodgers met the New York Yankees in the World Series once again, this time beating them in six games to claim their first championship since 1965.

Game 1

October 20, Yankee Stadium, New York

Team123456789RHE
Los Angeles000010020350
New York30110000X560
W: Ron Guidry (1-0)  L: Jerry Reuss (0-1)  SV: Goose Gossage (1)
HRs: LAD– Steve Yeager (1)  NY– Bob Watson (1)

Game 2

October 21, Yankee Stadium, New York

Team123456789RHE
Los Angeles000000000042
New York00001002X361
W: Tommy John (1-0)  L: Burt Hooton (0-1)  SV: Goose Gossage (2)
HRs: LAD– none  NY– none

Game 3

October 23, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

Team123456789RHE
New York022000000490
Los Angeles30002000X5111
W: Fernando Valenzuela (1-0)  L: George Frazier (0-1)  SV: none)
HRs: NY– Rick Cerone (1), Bob Watson (2)  LA– Ron Cey (1)

Game 4

October 24, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

Team123456789RHE
New York2110020107131
Los Angeles00201320X8142
W: Steve Howe (1-0)  L: George Frazier (0-2)  SV: none)
HRs: NY– Willie Randolph (1), Reggie Jackson (1)  LA– Jay Johnstone (1)

Game 5

October 25, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

Team123456789RHE
New York010000000150
Los Angeles00000200X243
W: Jerry Reuss (1-1)  L: Ron Guidry (1-1)  SV: none
HRs: NY– none   LA– Pedro Guerrero (1), Steve Yeager (2)

Game 6

October 28, Yankee Stadium, New York

Team123456789RHE
Los Angeles0001340109131
New York001001000272
W: Burt Hooton (1-1)  L: George Frazier (0-3)  SV: Steve Howe (1)
HRs: LAD– Pedro Guerrero (2)   NY– Willie Randolph (2)

1981 awards

Farm system

LevelTeamLeagueManager
AAA Albuquerque Dukes Pacific Coast League Del Crandall
AA San Antonio Dodgers Texas League Don LeJohn
High A Lodi Dodgers California League Terry Collins
High A Vero Beach Dodgers Florida State League Stan Wasiak
Rookie Lethbridge Dodgers Pioneer League Gary LaRocque

Teams in BOLD won League Championships

Major League Baseball Draft

The Dodgers drafted 33 players in the June draft and 18 in the January draft. Of those, eight players would eventually play in the Major Leagues. They received an extra pick in the 2nd round from the Houston Astros as compensation for the loss of free agent pitcher Don Sutton.

The Dodgers first round pick in the June draft was shortstop Dave Anderson from the University of Memphis. He played 10 seasons in the Majors (8 of them with the Dodgers), primarily as a utility infielder. The draft also included pitchers Sid Fernandez (round 3) and John Franco (round 5), both of whom would have lengthy Major League careers primarily with the New York Mets after the Dodgers traded them.

Notes

  1. ↑ "Ken Landreaux Stats".
  2. ↑ Matt Reeves
  3. ↑ "1981 Los Angeles Dodgers Schedule & Results – First half". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  4. ↑ "1981 Los Angeles Dodgers Schedule & Results – Second half". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  5. ↑ "1981 National League Division Series". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  6. ↑ "1981 National League Championship Series". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  7. ↑ "1981 World Series". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  8. ↑ 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers Picks in the MLB January Draft-Regular Phase
  9. ↑ 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers Picks in the MLB January Draft-Secondary Phase
  10. ↑ 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers Picks in the MLB June Amateur Draft
  11. ↑ 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers Picks in the MLB June Draft-Secondary Phase

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References

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