1981 Major League Baseball season

Last updated

1981 MLB season
League Major League Baseball
Sport Baseball
DurationApril 8 – June 11, 1981
August 10 – October 28, 1981
Number of games162 (scheduled)
102–111 (actual) [1]
Number of teams26
TV partner(s) ABC, NBC, USA
Draft
Top draft pick Mike Moore
Picked by Seattle Mariners
Regular season
Season MVP AL: Rollie Fingers (MIL)
NL: Mike Schmidt (PHI)
Postseason
AL champions New York Yankees
  AL runners-up Oakland Athletics
NL champions Los Angeles Dodgers
  NL runners-up Montreal Expos
World Series
Champions Los Angeles Dodgers
  Runners-up New York Yankees
World Series MVP Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero, and Steve Yeager (LA)
MLB seasons

The 1981 Major League Baseball season culminated with the Los Angeles Dodgers defeating the New York Yankees in the World Series, capturing the franchise's fifth World Series title. The season had a players' strike, which lasted from June 12 to July 31, and split the season into two halves. Teams that won their division in each half of the season advanced to the playoffs. This was the first split season in American League history, and second for the National League, which had played a split season in 1892.

Contents

The All-Star Game was originally scheduled for July 14, but was canceled due to the strike. It was ultimately played on August 9, as a prelude to the second half of the season, which began the following day. [2]

Standings

American League

AL East
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Milwaukee Brewers 6247.56928213426
Baltimore Orioles 5946.562133222624
New York Yankees 5948.551232192729
Detroit Tigers 6049.550232232826
Boston Red Sox 5949.54630232926
Cleveland Indians 5251.505725292722
Toronto Blue Jays 3769.34923½17362033
AL East
First Half Standings
WLPct.GB
New York Yankees 3422.607
Baltimore Orioles 3123.5742
Milwaukee Brewers 3125.5543
Detroit Tigers 3126.5443+12
Boston Red Sox 3026.5364
Cleveland Indians 2624.5205
Toronto Blue Jays 1642.27619
AL East
Second Half Standings
WLPct.GB
Milwaukee Brewers 3122.585
Boston Red Sox 2923.5581+12
Detroit Tigers 2923.5581+12
Baltimore Orioles 2823.5492
Cleveland Indians 2627.4915
New York Yankees 2526.4905
Toronto Blue Jays 2127.4387+12
AL West
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Oakland Athletics 6445.58735212924
Texas Rangers 5748.543532242524
Chicago White Sox 5452.50925242928
Kansas City Royals 5053.4851119283125
California Angels 5159.46413½26282531
Seattle Mariners 4465.4042020372428
Minnesota Twins 4168.3762324361732
AL West
First Half Standings
WLPct.GB
Oakland Athletics 3723.617
Texas Rangers 3322.6001+12
Chicago White Sox 3122.5852+12
California Angels 3129.5176
Kansas City Royals 2030.40012
Seattle Mariners 2136.36814+12
Minnesota Twins 1739.30418
AL West
Second Half Standings
WLPct.GB
Kansas City Royals 3023.566
Oakland Athletics 2722.5511
Texas Rangers 2426.4804+12
Minnesota Twins 2429.4536
Seattle Mariners 2329.4426+12
Chicago White Sox 2330.4347
California Angels 2030.4008+12

National League

NL East
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
St. Louis Cardinals 5943.57832212722
Montreal Expos 6048.556238182230
Philadelphia Phillies 5948.55136192329
Pittsburgh Pirates 4656.4511322282428
New York Mets 4162.39818½24271735
Chicago Cubs 3865.36921½27301135
NL East
First Half Standings
WLPct.GB
Philadelphia Phillies 3421.618
St. Louis Cardinals 3020.6001+12
Montreal Expos 3025.5454
Pittsburgh Pirates 2523.5215+12
New York Mets 1734.33315
Chicago Cubs 1537.28817+12
NL East
Second Half Standings
WLPct.GB
Montreal Expos 3023.566
St. Louis Cardinals 2923.55812
Philadelphia Phillies 2527.4814+12
New York Mets 2428.4625+12
Chicago Cubs 2328.4516
Pittsburgh Pirates 2133.3899+12
NL West
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Cincinnati Reds 6642.61132223420
Los Angeles Dodgers 6347.573433233024
Houston Astros 6149.555631203029
San Francisco Giants 5655.50511½29242731
Atlanta Braves 5056.4721522272829
San Diego Padres 4169.3732620352134
NL West
First Half Standings
WLPct.GB
Los Angeles Dodgers 3621.632
Cincinnati Reds 3521.62512
Houston Astros 2829.4918
Atlanta Braves 2529.4639+12
San Francisco Giants 2732.45810
San Diego Padres 2333.41112+12
NL West
Second Half Standings
WLPct.GB
Houston Astros 3320.623
Cincinnati Reds 3121.5961+12
San Francisco Giants 2923.5583+12
Los Angeles Dodgers 2726.5096
Atlanta Braves 2527.4817+12
San Diego Padres 1836.33315+12

Postseason

Bracket

Division Series
(ALDS, NLDS)
League Championship Series
(ALCS, NLCS)
World Series
         
E1 NY Yankees 3
E2 Milwaukee 2
E1 NY Yankees3
American League
W1 Oakland 0
W1 Oakland 3
W2 Kansas City 0
AL NY Yankees 2
NL Los Angeles4
E1 Philadelphia 2
E2 Montreal 3
E2 Montreal 2
National League
W1 Los Angeles3
W1 Los Angeles 3
W2 Houston 2

NOTE: Due to a strike in mid-season, the season was divided into a first half and a second half. The division winner of the first half (denoted E1, W1) played the division winner of the second half (denoted E2, W2).

Statistical leaders

Statistic American League National League
AVG Carney Lansford BOS.336 Bill Madlock PIT.341
HR Tony Armas OAK
Dwight Evans BOS
Bobby Grich CAL
Eddie Murray BAL
22 Mike Schmidt PHI31
RBIs Eddie Murray BAL78 Mike Schmidt PHI91
Wins Dennis Martínez BAL
Steve McCatty OAK
Jack Morris DET
Pete Vuckovich MIL
14 Tom Seaver CIN14
ERA Dave Righetti NYY2.05 Nolan Ryan HOU1.69
SO Len Barker CLE127 Fernando Valenzuela LAD180
SV Rollie Fingers MIL28 Bruce Sutter STL25
SB Rickey Henderson OAK56 Tim Raines MTL71
The Oakland Athletics playing host to the Texas Rangers at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum during a 1981 home game. Oakland Coliseum diamond 1981.jpg
The Oakland Athletics playing host to the Texas Rangers at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum during a 1981 home game.

Awards and honors

Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards
BBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican League
Rookie of the Year Fernando Valenzuela (LAD) Dave Righetti (NYY)
Cy Young Award Fernando Valenzuela (LAD) Rollie Fingers (MIL)
Most Valuable Player Mike Schmidt (PHI) Rollie Fingers (MIL)
Gold Glove Awards
PositionNational LeagueAmerican League
Pitcher Steve Carlton (PHI) Mike Norris (OAK)
Catcher Gary Carter (MTL) Jim Sundberg (TEX)
First Baseman Keith Hernandez (STL) Mike Squires (CWS)
Second Baseman Manny Trillo (PHI) Frank White (KC)
Third Baseman Mike Schmidt (PHI) Buddy Bell (TEX)
Shortstop Ozzie Smith (STL) Alan Trammell (DET)
Outfielders Dusty Baker (LAD) Dwight Evans (BOS)
Andre Dawson (MTL) Rickey Henderson (OAK)
Garry Maddox (PHI) Dwayne Murphy (OAK)
Silver Slugger Awards
Pitcher/Designated Hitter Fernando Valenzuela (LAD) Al Oliver (TEX)
Catcher Gary Carter (MTL) Carlton Fisk (CWS)
First Baseman Pete Rose (PHI) Cecil Cooper (MIL)
Second Baseman Manny Trillo (PHI) Bobby Grich (CAL)
Third Baseman Mike Schmidt (PHI) Carney Lansford (BOS)
Shortstop Dave Concepción (CIN) Rick Burleson (CAL)
Outfielders Dusty Baker (LAD) Dwight Evans (BOS)
Andre Dawson (MTL) Rickey Henderson (OAK)
George Foster (CIN) Dave Winfield (NYY)

Other awards

Player of the Month

MonthAmerican LeagueNational League
April Ken Singleton Dave Concepción
May Dwight Evans Art Howe
August Cecil Cooper Mike Schmidt
September Eddie Murray
Willie Wilson
Gary Matthews

Pitcher of the Month

MonthAmerican LeagueNational League
April Matt Keough Fernando Valenzuela
May Mark Clear Charlie Lea
August Ron Guidry Rick Camp
Ed Whitson
September Larry Gura
Dennis Martínez
Tom Seaver

Home field attendance

Team nameWinsHome attendancePer game
Los Angeles Dodgers [3] 63-31.5%2,381,292-26.7%42,523
Philadelphia Phillies [4] 59-35.2%1,638,752-38.2%29,795
New York Yankees [5] 59-42.7%1,614,353-38.6%31,654
Montreal Expos [6] 60-33.3%1,534,564-30.5%27,403
California Angels [7] 51-21.5%1,441,545-37.3%26,695
Houston Astros [8] 61-34.4%1,321,282-42.0%25,907
Oakland Athletics [9] 64-22.9%1,304,05254.8%23,287
Kansas City Royals [10] 50-48.5%1,279,403-44.1%27,221
Detroit Tigers [11] 60-28.6%1,149,144-35.6%20,894
Cincinnati Reds [12] 66-25.8%1,093,730-45.9%20,254
Boston Red Sox [13] 59-28.9%1,060,379-45.8%20,007
Baltimore Orioles [14] 59-41.0%1,024,247-43.0%18,623
St. Louis Cardinals [15] 59-20.3%1,010,247-27.1%19,061
Chicago White Sox [16] 54-22.9%946,651-21.1%19,319
Milwaukee Brewers [17] 62-27.9%874,292-52.9%17,843
Texas Rangers [18] 57-25.0%850,076-29.1%15,180
Toronto Blue Jays [19] 37-44.8%755,083-46.1%14,247
New York Mets [20] 41-38.8%704,244-40.9%13,543
Cleveland Indians [21] 52-34.2%661,395-36.0%12,248
Seattle Mariners [22] 44-25.4%636,276-23.9%11,163
San Francisco Giants [23] 56-25.3%632,274-42.3%11,930
Chicago Cubs [24] 38-40.6%565,637-53.1%9,752
Pittsburgh Pirates [25] 46-44.6%541,789-67.1%10,623
Atlanta Braves [26] 50-38.3%535,418-48.9%10,708
San Diego Padres [27] 41-43.8%519,161-54.4%9,439
Minnesota Twins [28] 41-46.8%469,090-39.0%7,690

Television coverage

NetworkDay of weekAnnouncers
ABC Monday nights
Sunday afternoons
Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell, Don Drysdale, Al Michaels, Jim Palmer, Bob Uecker
NBC Saturday afternoons Joe Garagiola, Tony Kubek, Dick Enberg, Tom Seaver, Merle Harmon, Ron Luciano
USA Thursday nights Jim Woods, Nelson Briles, Monte Moore, Wes Parker

Events

January–March

April–June

July–September

October–December

Deaths

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References

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  2. Chronology of the Baseball Strike, Associated Press (The New York Times, archives), August 1, 1981.
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  4. "Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  5. "New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  6. "Washington Nationals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  7. "Los Angeles Angels Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  8. "Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  9. "Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  10. "Kansas City Royals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  11. "Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
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  13. "Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  14. "Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  15. "St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  16. "Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  17. "Milwaukee Brewers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  18. "Texas Rangers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  19. "Toronto Blue Jays Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  20. "New York Mets Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  21. "Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  22. "Seattle Mariners Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
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  25. "Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  26. "Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  27. "San Diego Padres Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  28. "Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  29. Mackin, Bob (2004). The Unofficial Guide to Baseball's Most Unusual Records. Canada: Greystone Books. p. 240. ISBN   9781553650386..