1981 Los Angeles Dodgers season

1981  Los Angeles Dodgers
World Series champions National League champions National League West co-champions
League	National League
Division	West
Ballpark	Dodger Stadium
City	Los Angeles
Record	63–47 (.573) (Overall) 36–21 (.632) (First half) 27–26 (.509) (Second half)
Divisional place	2nd (Overall) 1st (First half) 4th (Second half)
Owners	Peter O'Malley
General managers	Al Campanis
Managers	Tommy Lasorda
Television	KTTV–TV 11 (Vin Scully, Jerry Doggett, Ross Porter) ONTV (Geoff Witcher, Al Downing)
Radio	KABC–AM 790 (Vin Scully, Jerry Doggett, Ross Porter) KTNQ–AM 1020 (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.

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

• December 4, 1980: Don Sutton signed with the Houston Astros as a free agent.
• March 30, 1981: Acquired Ken Landreaux ^[1] from the Minnesota Twins for Mickey Hatcher and Matt Reeves ^[2]

Regular season

Season standings

• v
• t
• e

NL West

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
Cincinnati Reds	66	42	.611	—	32‍–‍22	34‍–‍20
Los Angeles Dodgers	63	47	.573	4	33‍–‍23	30‍–‍24
Houston Astros	61	49	.555	6	31‍–‍20	30‍–‍29
San Francisco Giants	56	55	.505	11½	29‍–‍24	27‍–‍31
Atlanta Braves	50	56	.472	15	22‍–‍27	28‍–‍29
San Diego Padres	41	69	.373	26	20‍–‍35	21‍–‍34

NL West First Half Standings	W	L	Pct.	GB
Los Angeles Dodgers	36	21	.632	—
Cincinnati Reds	35	21	.625	1⁄2
Houston Astros	28	29	.491	8
Atlanta Braves	25	29	.463	9+1⁄2
San Francisco Giants	27	32	.458	10
San Diego Padres	23	33	.411	12+1⁄2

NL West Second Half Standings	W	L	Pct.	GB
Houston Astros	33	20	.623	—
Cincinnati Reds	31	21	.596	1+1⁄2
San Francisco Giants	29	23	.558	3+1⁄2
Los Angeles Dodgers	27	26	.509	6
Atlanta Braves	25	27	.481	7+1⁄2
San Diego Padres	18	36	.333	15+1⁄2

Record vs. opponents

1981 National League record v t e Sources:
Team	ATL	CHC	CIN	HOU	LAD	MTL	NYM	PHI	PIT	SD	SF	STL
Atlanta	—	3–2–1	6–5	4–8	7–7	3–7	3–3	4–5	2–3	9–6	5–7	4–3
Chicago	2–3–1	—	1–5	1–6	6–4	4–7	5–8–1	2–10	4–10	3–3	5–5	5–4–1
Cincinnati	5–6	5–1	—	8–4	8–8	5–4	7–3	5–2	4–2	10–2	9–5	0–5
Houston	8–4	6–1	4–8	—	4–8	5–2	6–3	4–6	2–4	11–3	9–6	2–4
Los Angeles	7–7	4–6	8–8	8–4	—	5–2	5–1	3–3	5–1	6–5	7–5	5–5
Montreal	7–3	7–4	4–5	2–5	2–5	—	9–3	7–4	10–3	4–2	2–5	6–9
New York	3–3	8–5–1	3–7	3–6	1–5	3–9	—	7–7	3–6–1	2–5	2–4	6–5
Philadelphia	5-4	10–2	2–5	6–4	3–3	4–7	7–7	—	7–5	4–2	4–3	7–6
Pittsburgh	3–2	10–4	2–4	4–2	1–5	3–10	6–3–1	5–7	—	6–4	3–7	3–8
San Diego	6–9	3–3	2–10	3–11	5–6	2–4	5–2	2–4	4–6	—	6–7	3–7
San Francisco	7–5	5–5	5–9	6–9	5–7	5–2	4–2	3–4	7–3	7–6	—	2–3
St. Louis	3–4	4–5–1	5–0	4–2	5–5	9–6	5–6	6–7	8–3	7–3	3–2	—

Opening Day lineup

Opening Day starters
Name	Position
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
Pitchers 37 Bobby Castillo 51 Terry Forster 38 Dave Goltz 46 Burt Hooton 57 Steve Howe 49 Tom Niedenfuer 26 Alejandro Peña 25 Ted Power 41 Jerry Reuss 48 Dave Stewart 43 Rick Sutcliffe 34 Fernando Valenzuela 35 Bob Welch		Catchers  9 Jerry Grote 14 Mike Scioscia  7 Steve Yeager Infielders 10 Ron Cey 36 Pepe Frías  6 Steve Garvey 15 Davey Lopes  5 Mike Marshall 45 Jack Perconte 18 Bill Russell 52 Steve Sax  8 Reggie Smith 30 Derrel Thomas  1 Gary Weiss		Outfielders 12 Dusty Baker 22 Mark Bradley 13 Joe Ferguson 28 Pedro Guerrero 21 Jay Johnstone 44 Ken Landreaux 47 Candy Maldonado 17 Bobby Mitchell 16 Rick Monday 50 Ron Roenicke		Manager  2 Tommy Lasorda Coaches 54 Monty Basgall 58 Mark Cresse 11 Manny Mota 33 Danny Ozark 29 Ron Perranoski

Game log

Regular season

Legend
	Dodgers win
	Dodgers loss
	Postponement
	Clinched division
Bold	Dodgers team member

1981 regular season game log: 63–47 (Home: 33–23; Away: 30–24) [3]
April: 14–5 (Home: 7–3; Away: 7–2) # Date Time (PT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box Streak 1 April 9 1:11 p.m. PST Astros W2–0 Valenzuela (1–0) Niekro (0–1) — 2:17 50,511 1–0 W1 2 April 11 7:08 p.m. PST Astros W7–4 Hooton (1–0) Sutton (0–1) — 2:56 51,691 2–0 W2 3 April 12 1:08 p.m. PST Astros W3–2 Sutcliffe (1–0) Ruhle (0–1) Howe (1) 2:16 50,734 3–0 W3 4 April 13 7:35 p.m. PST @ Giants W4–3 Stewart (1–0) Ripley (0–1) Castillo (1) 2:54 20,698 4–0 W4 5 April 14 7:37 p.m. PST @ Giants W7–1 Valenzuela (2–0) Blue (0–1) — 2:27 23,790 5–0 W5 6 April 15 7:35 p.m. PST @ Giants W4–2 Hooton (2–0) Whitson (0–1) Castillo (2) 2:45 20,775 6–0 W6 10 April 20 5:35 p.m. PDT @ Astros W5–2 Hooton (3–0) Andújar (0–1) Goltz (1) 2:34 21,730 9–1 W3 11 April 21 5:35 p.m. PDT @ Astros L0–1 Knepper (1–0) Reuss (0–1) — 1:48 21,904 9–2 L1 12 April 22 5:35 p.m. PDT @ Astros W1–0 Valenzuela (4–0) Sutton (0–3) — 2:24 22,830 10–2 W1 17 April 27 7:35 p.m. PDT Giants W5–0 Valenzuela (5–0) Griffin (1–2) — 2:54 49,478 14–3 W3 18 April 28 7:35 p.m. PDT Giants L1–6 Ripley (1–2) Sutcliffe (2–1) — 2:09 39,899 14–4 L1 19 April 29 7:35 p.m. PDT Giants L2–3 Blue (2–2) Welch (1–1) Minton (3) 2:27 39,110 14–5 L2
May: 19–10 (Home: 9–3; Away: 10–7) # Date Time (PT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 20 May 1 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Expos L8–9(13) Lee (1–0) Castillo (0–2) — 4:18 28,179 14–6 L3 21 May 2 1:05 p.m. PDT @ Expos W4–0 Reuss (2–1) Sanderson (3–1) — 2:23 22,820 15–6 W1 22 May 3 10:35 a.m. PDT @ Expos W6–1(10) Valenzuela (6–0) Gullickson (1–2) — 2:55 46,405 16–6 W2 23 May 4 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Expos L3–4 Rogers (3–1) Sutcliffe (2–2) Sosa (2) 3:04 21,507 16–7 L1 24 May 5 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Phillies L7–8 Lyle (2–1) Castillo (0–3) — 2:58 27,241 16–8 L2 25 May 6 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Phillies W2–1 Hooton (4–0) Espinosa (1–2) — 2:09 25,850 17–8 W1 26 May 7 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Phillies W2–1 Reuss (3–1) Bystrom (2–1) — 2:12 29,259 18–8 W2 27 May 8 5:05 p.m. PDT @ Mets W1–0 Valenzuela (6–0) Scott (1–3) — 2:42 39,848 19–8 W3 28 May 9 11:15 a.m. PDT @ Mets L4–7 Allen (2–0) Castillo (0–4) Reardon (1) 2:53 16,776 19–9 L1 29 May 10 11:05 a.m. PDT @ Mets W5–3 Welch (2–1) Jones (0–5) Howe (3) 2:43 12,102 20–9 W1 30 May 12 7:35 p.m. PDT Expos W5–0 Hooton (5–0) Burris (2–3) Howe (4) 2:46 34,367 21–9 W2 31 May 13 7:35 p.m. PDT Expos W8–6 Howe (2–1) Fryman (2–1) — 2:52 42,712 22–9 W3 32 May 14 7:35 p.m. PDT Expos W3–2 Valenzuela (8–0) Ratzer (1–1) — 2:22 53,906 23–9 W4 33 May 15 7:35 p.m. PDT Mets W6–5 Howe (3–1) Allen (2–1) — 2:35 49,860 24–9 W5 34 May 16 7:05 p.m. PDT Mets W9–0 Hooton (6–0) Roberts (0–3) — 2:21 51,000 25–9 W6 35 May 17 1:05 p.m. PDT Mets W6–1 Reuss (4–1) Zachry (3–5) — 2:17 50,746 26–9 W7 36 May 18 7:35 p.m. PDT Phillies L0–4 Bystrom (3–2) Valenzuela (8–1) — 2:16 52,439 26–10 L1 37 May 19 7:35 p.m. PDT Phillies L2–3 Ruthven (6–1) Welch (2–2) — 2:30 43,812 26–11 L2 38 May 20 7:35 p.m. PDT Phillies W3–2(10) Howe (4–1) McGraw (1–4) — 2:30 50,917 27–11 W1 39 May 22 @ Reds W4–2(12) — 3:15 27,943 28–11 W2 40 May 23 @ Reds W9–6(10) 3:17 40,928 29–11 W3 41 (1) May 24 @ Reds L2–3 2:33 — 29–12 L1 42 (2) May 24 @ Reds W10–3 2:33 — 30–12 W1 46 May 29 Reds W5–2 2:44 45,749 W1 47 May 30 Reds L1–9 — 2:46 43,582 L1 48 May 31 Reds W16–4 — 3:08 46,411 W1
June: 3–6 (Home: 1–2; Away: 2–4) # Date Time (PT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 52 June 5 11:25 a.m. PDT @ Cubs L3–4 Reuschel (3–7) Reuss (4–2) Tidrow (4) 2:23 7,815 34–18 L3 53 June 6 11:15 a.m. PDT @ Cubs L5–11 McGlothen (1–3) Valenzuela (9–3) — 2:58 30,556 34–19 L4 54 June 7 11:15 a.m. PDT @ Cubs W7–0 Welch (4–3) Martz (2–5) — 2:35 20,024 35–19 W1 55 June 9 5:38 p.m. PDT @ Cardinals L1–6 Forsch (6–2) Hooton (7–3) Sutter (10) 2:34 19,654 35–20 L1 56 June 10 5:37 p.m. PDT @ Cardinals W4–1 Reuss (5–2) Sorenson (5–5) — 2:05 17,779 36–20 W1 57 June 11 5:39 p.m. PDT @ Cardinals L1–2 Martínez (2–4) Valenzuela (9–4) Sutter (11) 2:01 39,250 36–21 L1 — June 12 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Pirates Canceled (Strike) — June 13 11:15 a.m. PDT @ Pirates Canceled (Strike) — June 14 10:35 a.m. PDT @ Pirates Canceled (Strike) — June 15 7:35 p.m. PDT Cubs Canceled (Strike) — June 16 7:35 p.m. PDT Cubs Canceled (Strike) — June 17 7:35 p.m. PDT Cardinals Canceled (Strike) — June 18 7:35 p.m. PDT Cardinals Canceled (Strike) — June 19 7:35 p.m. PDT Pirates Canceled (Strike) — June 20 7:05 p.m. PDT Pirates Canceled (Strike) — June 21 1:05 p.m. PDT Pirates Canceled (Strike) — June 26 5:35 p.m. PDT @ Astros Canceled (Strike) — June 27 5:35 p.m. PDT @ Astros Canceled (Strike) — June 28 3:00 p.m. PDT @ Astros Canceled (Strike)
July: 0–0 (Home: 0–0; Away: 0–0) # Date Time (PT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak — July 3 7:35 p.m. PDT @ Giants Canceled (Strike) — July 4 1:05 p.m. PDT @ Giants Canceled (Strike) — July 5 1:05 p.m. PDT @ Giants Canceled (Strike) — July 7 7:30 p.m. PDT Astros Canceled (Strike) — July 8 7:30 p.m. PDT Astros Canceled (Strike) — July 9 1:05 p.m. PDT Astros Canceled (Strike) — July 10 7:35 p.m. PDT Giants Canceled (Strike) — July 11 7:05 p.m. PDT Giants Canceled (Strike) — July 12 1:05 p.m. PDT Giants Canceled (Strike) — July 16 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Expos Canceled (Strike) — July 17 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Expos Canceled (Strike) — July 18 4:05 p.m. PDT @ Phillies Canceled (Strike) — July 19 10:35 a.m. PDT @ Phillies Canceled (Strike) — July 20 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Phillies Canceled (Strike) — July 21 5:05 p.m. PDT @ Mets Canceled (Strike) — July 22 5:05 p.m. PDT @ Mets Canceled (Strike) — July 23 5:05 p.m. PDT @ Mets Canceled (Strike) — July 24 7:35 p.m. PDT Expos Canceled (Strike) — July 25 7:05 p.m. PDT Expos Canceled (Strike) — July 26 1:05 p.m. PDT Expos Canceled (Strike) — July 27 7:35 p.m. PDT Mets Canceled (Strike) — July 28 7:35 p.m. PDT Mets Canceled (Strike) — July 29 7:35 p.m. PDT Mets Canceled (Strike) — July 31 7:35 p.m. PDT Phillies Canceled (Strike)
August: 12–9 (Home: 6–6; Away: 6–3) # Date Time (PT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak — August 1 1:05 p.m. PDT Phillies Canceled (Strike) — August 2 1:05 p.m. PDT Phillies Canceled (Strike) — August 4 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Reds Canceled (Strike) — August 5 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Reds Canceled (Strike) — August 9 5:35 p.m. PDT 52nd All-Star Game National League vs. American League (Cleveland Stadium , Cleveland, Ohio) 58 August 10 Reds W4–0 2:08 35,120 37–21 W1 59 August 11 Reds L6–7 2:50 45,817 37–22 L1 60 August 12 Reds W8–5 2:48 36,494 38–22 W1 65 August 17 11:30 a.m. PDT @ Cubs L1–3 Bird (7–1) Welch (4–4) — 2:23 10,153 40–25 L1 66 August 18 11:30 a.m. PDT @ Cubs W5–0 Hooton (8–4) Griffin (0–1) — 2:33 15,973 41–25 W1 67 August 19 11:30 a.m. PDT @ Cubs L3–4 Krokow (4–6) Goltz (2–1) Martz (2) 2:27 26,860 41–26 L1 68 August 21 5:38 p.m. PDT @ Cardinals W4–0 Reuss (7–3) Andújar (3–4) — 2:05 33,375 42–26 W1 69 August 22 5:07 p.m. PDT @ Cardinals W3–2 Valenzuela (10–4) Forsch (7–3) Stewart (2) 2:21 38,751 43–26 W2 70 August 23 11:07 a.m. PDT @ Cardinals L7–11 Shirley (5–3) Welch (4–5) Sutter (15) 2:54 18,189 43–27 L1 71 August 24 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Pirates W3–0 Hooton (9–4) Jones (1–1) — 2:14 12,308 44–27 W1 72 August 25 4:35 p.m. PDT @ Pirates W9–7(11) Peña (1–0) Tekulve (4–5) Niedenfuer (1) 3:32 16,770 45–27 W2 73 August 26 9:35 a.m. PDT @ Pirates W16–6 Reuss (8–3) Rhoden (7–2) — 3:07 11,144 46–27 W3 74 August 27 7:35 p.m. PDT Cubs W6–0 Valenzuela (11–4) Martz (4–6) — 2:23 48,191 47–27 W4 75 August 28 7:35 p.m. PDT Cubs W6–1 Welch (5–5) Krokow (4–7) Stewart (3) 2:37 42,160 48–27 W5 76 August 29 8:09 p.m. PDT Cubs L1–3 Griffin (1–1) Hooton (9–5) Smith (1) 2:35 47,424 48–28 L1 77 August 30 1:08 p.m. PDT Cubs L1–2 Bird (8–2) Goltz (2–2) Tidrow (7) 2:19 34,284 48–29 L2 78 August 31 7:30 p.m. PDT Pirates L4–5(10) Jones (2–1) Stewart (4–2) Robinson (1) 2:58 35,862 48–30 L3
September: 13–15 (Home: 6–6; Away: 7–9) # Date Time (PT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 79 September 1 7:30 p.m. PDT Pirates W3–2(14) Niedenfuer (2–0) Jones (2–2) — 4:01 50,134 49–30 W1 80 September 2 7:30 p.m. PDT Pirates W6–2 Welch (6–5) Long (0–1) Peña (2) 2:47 32,027 50–30 W2 81 September 3 7:37 p.m. PDT Cardinals L3–5 Littell (1–1) Howe (4–3) Sutter (19) 2:19 30,122 50–31 L1 82 September 4 7:37 p.m. PDT Cardinals L2–7 Martin (5–2) Goltz (2–3) — 2:19 48,114 50–32 L2 83 September 5 7:08 p.m. PDT Cardinals W4–3(11) Niedenfuer (3–0) Kaat (6–3) — 3:32 36,058 51–32 W1 84 September 6 1:08 p.m. PDT Cardinals W5–0 Valenzuela (12–4) Forsch (7–5) — 2:27 46,780 52–32 W2 85 September 7 5:05 p.m. PDT Giants W5–1 Welch (7–5) Whitson (5–7) Niedenfuer (2) 2:35 49,561 53–32 W3 86 September 8 7:35 p.m. PDT Giants W4–0 Hooton (10–5) Alexander (8–6) Stewart (4) 2:33 31,702 54–32 W4 87 September 9 7:35 p.m. PDT Giants L3–6(11) Holland (6–4) Niedenfuer (3–1) — 3:36 31,482 54–33 L1 88 September 11 @ Reds L2–3(10) — 2:42 25,237 54–34 L2 89 September 12 @ Reds L5–6(11) — 3:32 34,090 54–35 L3 90 September 13 @ Reds W4–2 3:07 27,858 55–35 W1 95 September 18 Reds L4–5 2:48 44,258 58–37 L1 96 September 19 Reds L3–7 — 3:22 48,352 58–38 L2 97 September 20 Reds L1–5 — 2:45 39,560 58–39 L3 98 September 22 7:35 p.m. PDT @ Giants L2–5 Whitson (6–8) Valenzuela (13–5) Minton (17) 3:11 28,046 58–40 L4 99 September 23 7:35 p.m. PDT @ Giants L4–8 Lavelle (1–6) Goltz (2–5) Breining (1) 2:53 13,058 58–41 L5 100 September 24 7:35 p.m. PDT @ Giants W7–3 Welch (8–5) Griffin (8–8) — 3:05 12,726 59–41 W1 101 September 25 5:35 p.m. PDT @ Astros W3–0 Hooton (11–6) Ruhle (4–5) — 2:18 35,481 60–41 W2 102 September 26 11:20 a.m. PDT @ Astros L0–5 Ryan (10–5) Power (1–3) — 2:46 32,115 60–42 L1 103 September 27 3:00 p.m. PDT @ Astros L1–4 Sutton (11–8) Valenzuela (13–6) — 2:23 41,686 60–43 L2
October: 2–2 (Home: 2–2; Away: 0–0) # Date Time (PT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/ Streak 108 October 2 7:35 p.m. PDT Astros W6–1 Reuss (10–4) Sutton (11–9) — 2:30 46,108 62–46 W1 109 October 3 12:50 p.m. PDT Astros W7–2 Welch (9–5) Niekro (9–9) — 2:43 42,272 63–46 W2 110 October 4 1:05 p.m. PDT Astros L3–5 Smith (5–3) Goltz (2–7) — 3:17 47,072 63–47 L1

Detailed records

National League
Opponent	Home	Away	Total	Pct.	Runs scored	Runs allowed
NL East
Chicago Cubs	2–2	2–4	4–6	.400	38	28
Montreal Expos	3–0	2–2	5–2	.714	37	22
New York Mets	3–0	2–1	5–1	.833	31	16
Philadelphia Phillies	1–2	2–1	3–3	.500	16	19
Pittsburgh Pirates	2–1	3–0	5–1	.833	41	22
St. Louis Cardinals	2–2	3–3	5–5	.500	34	37
	13–7	14–11	27–18	.600	197	144
NL West
Cincinnati Reds	4–5	4–3	8–8	.500	84	69
Houston Astros	5–1	3–3	8–4	.667	38	26
Los Angeles Dodgers	—	—	—	—	—	—
San Francisco Giants	4–2	3–3	7–5	.583	48	38
	13–7	10–9	23–17	.575	170	133

Postseason Game log

1981 Postseason game log: 10–6 (Home: 7–1; Away: 3–5)
NL Western Division Series vs. Houston Astros 3–2 (Home: 3–0; Away: 0–2) # Date Time (PT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Series Box Streak 1 October 6 5:15 p.m. PDT @ Astros L1–3 Ryan (1–0) Stewart (0–1) — 2:22 44,836 HOU 1–0 L1 2 October 7 10:05 a.m. PDT @ Astros L0–1(11) Sambito (1–0) Stewart (0–2) — 3:39 42,398 HOU 2–0 L2 3 October 9 1:05 p.m. PDT Astros W6–1 Hooton (1–0) Knepper (0–1) — 2:35 46,820 HOU 2–1 W1 4 October 10 5:15 p.m. PDT Astros W2–1 Valenzuela (1–0) Ruhle (0–1) — 2:00 55,983 TIE 2–2 W2 5 October 11 1:05 p.m. PDT Astros W4–0 Reuss (1–0) Ryan (1–1) — 2:52 55,979 LAN 3–2 W3
NL Championship Series vs. Montreal Expos 3–2 (Home: 1–1; Away: 2–1) # Date Time (PT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Series Box Streak 1 October 13 1:05 p.m. PDT Expos W5–1 Hooton (1–0) Gullickson (0–1) — 2:47 51,273 LAN 1–0 W1 2 October 14 5:20 p.m. PDT Expos L0–3 Burris (1–0) Valenzuela (0–1) — 2:48 53,463 TIE 1–1 L1 3 October 16 5:20 p.m. PDT @ Expos L1–4 Rogers (1–0) Reuss (0–1) — 2:27 54,372 MTL 2–1 L2 4 October 17 10:05 a.m. PDT @ Expos W7–1 Hooton (2–0) Gullickson (0–2) — 3:14 54,199 TIE 2–2 W1 — October 18 1:05 p.m. PDT @ Expos Postponed (rain); Makeup: October 19 5 October 19 10:05 a.m. PDT @ Expos W2–1 Valenzuela (1–1) Rogers (1–1) Welch (1) 2:41 36,491 LAN 3–2 W2
World Series vs. New York Yankees 4–2 (Home: 3–0; Away: 1–2) # Date Time (PT) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Series Box Streak 1 October 20 5:30 p.m. PDT @ Yankees L3–5 Guidry (1–0) Reuss (0–1) Gossage (1) 2:32 56,470 NYA 1–0 L1 2 October 21 5:20 p.m. PDT @ Yankees L0–3 John (1–0) Hooton (0–1) Gossage (2) 2:29 56,505 NYA 2–0 L2 3 October 23 5:30 p.m. PDT Yankees W5–4 Valenzuela (1–0) Frazier (0–1) — 3:04 56,236 NYA 2–1 W1 4 October 24 1:25 p.m. PDT Yankees W8–7 Howe (1–0) Frazier (0–2) — 3:32 56,242 TIE 2–2 W2 5 October 25 1:45 p.m. PST Yankees W2–1 Reuss (1–1) Guidry (1–1) — 2:19 56,115 LAN 3–2 W3 — October 27 5:20 p.m. PST @ Yankees Postponed (rain); Makeup: October 28 6 October 28 5:20 p.m. PST @ Yankees W9–2 Hooton (1–1) Frazier (0–3) Howe (1) 3:09 56,513 LAN 4–2 W4

Starting pitchers stats

= Indicates league leader

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

Name	G	GS	IP	ERA	W/L	BB	SO	CG
Fernando Valenzuela	25	25	192.1	2.48	13-7	61	180	11
Burt Hooton	23	23	142.1	2.28	11-6	33	74	5
Bob Welch	23	23	141.1	3.44	9-5	41	88	2
Jerry Reuss	22	22	152.2	2.30	10-4	27	51	8

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

Name	G	GS	IP	ERA	W/L	BB	SO	SV
Steve Howe	41	0	54.0	2.50	5-3	18	32	8
Bobby Castillo	34	1	50.2	5.33	2-4	18	32	5
Dave Stewart	32	0	43.1	2.49	4-3	14	29	6
Terry Forster	21	0	30.2	4.11	0-1	15	17	0
Dave Goltz	26	8	77.0	4.09	2-7	25	48	1
Rick Sutcliffe	14	6	47.0	4.02	2-2	20	16	0
Tom Niedenfuer	17	0	26.0	3.81	3-1	6	12	2
Alejandro Peña	14	0	25.1	2.84	1-1	11	14	2
Ted Power	5	2	14.1	3.14	1-3	7	7	0

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

Player	Pos	GP	AB	Avg.	R	H	HR	RBI	SB
Mike Scioscia	C	93	290	.276	27	80	2	29	0
Steve Yeager	C	42	86	.209	5	18	3	7	0
Jerry Grote	C	2	2	.000	0	0	0	0	0
Steve Garvey	1B	110*	431	.283	63	122	10	64	3
Davey Lopes	2B	58	214	.289	35	44	5	17	20
Bill Russell	SS	82	262	.233	20	61	0	22	2
Ron Cey	3B	85	312	.288	42	90	13	50	0
Derrel Thomas	2B/3B/SS/OF	80	218	.248	25	54	4	24	7
Steve Sax	2B	31	119	.277	15	33	2	9	5
Pepe Frías	SS/2B/3B	25	36	.250	6	9	0	3	0
Reggie Smith	1B	41	35	.200	5	7	1	8	0
Mike Marshall	1B/3B/OF	14	25	.200	2	5	0	1	0
Gary Weiss	SS	14	19	.105	2	2	0	1	0
Jack Perconte	2B	8	9	.222	2	2	0	1	1
Dusty Baker	OF	103	400	.320	48	128	9	49	10
Pedro Guerrero	OF/3B/1B	98	347	.300	46	104	12	48	5
Ken Landreaux	OF	99	390	.251	48	98	7	41	18
Rick Monday	OF	66	130	.315	24	41	11	25	1
Jay Johnstone	OF/1B	61	83	.205	8	17	3	6	0
Ron Roenicke	OF	22	47	.234	6	11	0	0	1
Joe Ferguson	OF	17	14	.143	2	2	0	1	0
Candy Maldonado	OF	11	12	.093	0	1	0	0	0
Bobby Mitchell	OF	10	5	.125	0	1	0	0	0
Mark Bradley	OF	9	6	.167	2	1	0	0	0

• Tied with Ozzie Smith (San Diego)

Postseason

1981 National League Division Series

Main article: 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

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Los Angeles	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	0
Houston	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	3	8	0
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

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	R	H	E
Los Angeles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	9	1
Houston	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	9	0
W: Joe Sambito (1-0)  L: Dave Stewart (0-2)
HRs: LA– none   HOU– none

Game 3

October 9, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Houston	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	2
Los Angeles	3	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	X	6	10	0
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

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Houston	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	4	0
Los Angeles	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	X	2	4	0
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

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Houston	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	3
Los Angeles	0	0	0	0	0	3	1	0	X	4	7	2
W: Jerry Reuss (1-0)  L: Nolan Ryan (1-1)
HRs: HOU– none  LA– none

1981 National League Championship Series

Main article: 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

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Montreal	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	9	0
Los Angeles	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	3	X	5	8	0
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

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Montreal	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	3	10	1
Los Angeles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	1
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

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Los Angeles	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	7	0
Montreal	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	X	4	7	1
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

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Los Angeles	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	4	7	12	1
Montreal	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	5	1
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

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Los Angeles	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	2	6	0
Montreal	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	3	1
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

Main article: 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

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Los Angeles	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	0	3	5	0
New York	3	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	X	5	6	0
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

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Los Angeles	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	2
New York	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	X	3	6	1
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

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
New York	0	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	9	0
Los Angeles	3	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	X	5	11	1
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

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
New York	2	1	1	0	0	2	0	1	0	7	13	1
Los Angeles	0	0	2	0	1	3	2	0	X	8	14	2
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

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
New York	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	5	0
Los Angeles	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	X	2	4	3
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

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Los Angeles	0	0	0	1	3	4	0	1	0	9	13	1
New York	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	7	2
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

1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Fernando Valenzuela starter Davey Lopes starter Dusty Baker reserve Steve Garvey reserve Pedro Guerrero reserve Burt Hooton reserve National League Rookie of the Year Fernando Valenzuela National League Cy Young Award Fernando Valenzuela NLCS Most Valuable Player Burt Hooton World Series Most Valuable Player Ron Cey Pedro Guerrero Steve Yeager Gold Glove Award Dusty Baker Roberto Clemente Award Steve Garvey

Baseball Digest Rookie All-Star Dave Stewart Fernando Valenzuela TSN Rookie Pitcher of the Year Award Fernando Valenzuela TSN Pitcher of the Year Award Fernando Valenzuela Silver Slugger Award Fernando Valenzuela Dusty Baker TSN Major League Player of the Year Award Fernando Valenzuela TSN National League All-Star Fernando Valenzuela Pedro Guerrero NL Pitcher of the Month Fernando Valenzuela (April 1981) NL Player of the Week Fernando Valenzuela (Apr. 6–12) Ron Cey (May 11–17) Fernando Valenzuela (Aug. 31 – Sep. 6)

Farm system

Level	Team	League	Manager
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

Main article: 1981 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.

1981 draft picks

January draft [4] Round Name Position School Signed Career span Highest level 1 Kelvin White RHP Cosumnes River College No 2 Robert Seymour OF Sacramento City College Yes 1981–1982 A 3 Frederick Bass 3B Sacramento City College Yes 1981 A 4 John Sylvia SS College of the Sequoias Yes 1981–1982 A 5 Jack Loop 1B Pasadena City College No 6 Eugene Steinbach C Georgia Perimeter College Yes 1981–1994 AA 7 Brad Harlow SS Cosumnes River College No 8 Brett Radland RHP Valencia Community College No 9 Jon Van Dort OF Chaffey College No 10 Larry Riddle RHP Alvin Community College No Red Sox-1984 1984 A 11 Andy Hargrove RHP Barstow Community College No 12 James Sewell OF Sacramento City College No 13 Ronnie Chapman 2B Louisburg College No Blue Jays-1982 1982–1986 AA 14 James Woods IF San Jacinto College No 15 Charles Byers 3B Chaffey College No 16 Benny Distefano 1B Alvin Community College No Pirates-1982 1982–1993 MLB January secondary phase [5] Round Name Position School Signed Career span Highest level 1 Shayne Hammond LHP Southeastern Illinois College Yes 1981–1983 AA 2 Tom DiCeglio SS Gulf Coast Community College No Twins-1984 1984–1986 A June draft [6] Round Name Position School Signed Career span Highest level 1 Dave Anderson SS University of Memphis Yes 1981–1992 MLB 2 Sid Bream 1B Liberty University Yes 1981–1994 MLB 2 Lemmie Miller OF Arizona State University Yes 1981–1989 MLB 3 Sid Fernandez LHP Kaiser High School No Angels-1984 1981–2001 MLB 4 Steven Boncore C University of La Verne Yes 1981–1983 A 5 John Franco LHP St. John's University Yes 1981–2005 MLB 6 Brian Williams OF South High School Yes 1981–1986 A 7 Michael Beuder LHP Santa Clara University Yes 1981–1983 A 8 Gregory Chinn OF California State University, Sacramento Yes 1981–1983 A 9 Stu Pederson OF University of Southern California Yes 1981–1992 MLB 10 Mark Pirruccello C California State University, Fullerton No Royals-1982 1982–1984 AA 11 Gregory Carne RHP Redondo High School Yes 1981–1984 A 12 Peyton Mosher RHP University of Georgia Yes 1981–1984 A 13 David Anderson RHP University of Nevada, Reno Yes 1982–1990 AAA 14 Dean Rennicke RHP University of Wisconsin–Madison Yes 1981–1985 AAA 15 Jimmy Guillen RHP Roosevelt High School No 16 Harold Perkins SS California State University, Los Angeles Yes 1981–1991 AAA 17 Christopher Chavez SS University of Nebraska at Lincoln Yes 1981–1982 AA 18 Jerry Bendorf SS Gonzaga University Yes 1981–1982 AA 19 Jeffrey Greene SS University of Vermont Yes 1981 Rookie 20 Tim Criswell RHP Carrollton High School No Dodgers-1983 1983–1987 AA 21 John Gregory 1B Lake Worth High School Yes 1981–1984 A 22 Craig Thompson OF Dallas Baptist University Yes 1981–1982 A 23 William Murray 2B University of San Francisco Yes 1981 A 24 Steven Young OF Chambersburg High School Yes 1981 Rookie 25 Robert Philps RHP Carmichaels High School No 26 Charles Beard RHP California State University, Sacramento Yes 1981–1983 A 27 David Dunlap IF California State University, Sacramento No 28 Brett Davis OF Pearland High School No 29 Jeff Carter IF Evanston Township High School No Giants-1985 1985–1996 AAA 30 Ronald Robbins RHP Louisiana State University at Alexandria No Blue Jays-1983 1983–1984 A June secondary phase [7] Round Name Position School Signed Career span Highest level 1 Ralph Bryant OF Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Yes 1981–1996 MLB 2 Michael Moore C Edmonds Community College Yes 1981–1982 A 3 Ethan McHenry RHP Yakima Valley Community College No

References

1. "Ken Landreaux Stats".
2. Matt Reeves
3. "1981 Los Angeles Dodgers schedule and results". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
4. 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers Picks in the MLB January Draft-Regular Phase
5. 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers Picks in the MLB January Draft-Secondary Phase
6. 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers Picks in the MLB June Amateur Draft
7. 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers Picks in the MLB June Draft-Secondary Phase

External links

• 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers uniform
• Los Angeles Dodgers official website
• Baseball-Reference season page
• Baseball Almanac season page