Alan Ashby slams a two-out two-run homer off Dave Stewart in the ninth to stun the Dodgers, 3-1
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Alan Ashby slams a two-out two-run homer off Dave Stewart in the ninth to stun the Dodgers, 3-1

ByThis Day in Baseball

1981 – Alan Ashby, as if waiting a year for revenge, slams a two-out two-run homer off Dave Stewart in the ninth to stun the Dodgers, 3-1, in Game One of their divisional playoff series . Tony Scott had driven in Terry Puhl earlier but Los Angeles ties it up on a solo shot from Steve Garvey, one of just two hits given up by Nolan Ryan. 

In Game 1 of the ALDS in Kansas City, Mike Norris throws a six-hit complete game, blanking the Royals, 4-0. Oakland’s appearance in the playoffs makes Billy Martin the first skipper in baseball history to manage four franchises (Twins-1969, Tigers-1972, A’s-1981, and Yankees 1976-78) into postseason play.

ByThis Day in Baseball

In Game 1 of the ALDS in Kansas City, Mike Norris throws a six-hit complete game, blanking the Royals, 4-0. Oakland’s appearance in the playoffs makes Billy Martin the first skipper in baseball history to manage four franchises (Twins-1969, Tigers-1972, A’s-1981, and Yankees 1976-78) into postseason play.

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Houston finishes the strike-ravaged season with a 5-3 victory over the Dodgers and win the second half division

ByTom

1981 – Houston finishes the strike-ravaged season with a 5-3 victory over the Dodgers. Scott Loucks and Alan Knicely star as Dave Smith is the winning pitcher. The Astros win the second-half N.L. West title with a 30-23 record. Their full-season record is 58-52, third best in the division behind Cincinnati and first-half champion Los Angeles, who they will meet in a first-ever divisional playoff series.

The Reds, who blank Atlanta, 3-0, finish with the best record in the National League strike-shortened season (66-42), but will not participate in the postseason. The team does not qualify because the Dodgers and Astros post better records, respectively, for the first half (pre-strike) and second half (post-strike) of play in the Western Division and will face one another in the first-ever ‘NLDS’, under a plan instituted midseason by Giants executive Al Rosen to salvage the season.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Reds, who blank Atlanta, 3-0, finish with the best record in the National League strike-shortened season (66-42), but will not participate in the postseason. The team does not qualify because the Dodgers and Astros post better records, respectively, for the first half (pre-strike) and second half (post-strike) of play in the Western Division and will face one another in the first-ever ‘NLDS’, under a plan instituted midseason by Giants executive Al Rosen to salvage the season.

Milwaukee Brewers and Montreal Expos Clinch First Playoff spots

Milwaukee Brewers and Montreal Expos Clinch First Playoff spots

ByThis Day in Baseball

On October 3, 1981 – The Milwaukee Brewers and Montreal Expos clinch their first-ever postseason appearances. Milwaukee beats Detroit, 2 – 1, to wrap up the second-half title in the AL East, while Montreal defeats the Mets, 5 – 4, to win the NL East’s second playoff spot. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Sponsor this Page   Listen to…

New York’s once legendary center fielders, Giant Willie Mays, Dodger Duke Snider, and Yankee Mickey Mantle, appear on the Warner Wolfe show. It is the first time all three Hall of Fame outfielders have appeared together on a television show.

ByBaseball

New York’s once legendary center fielders, Giant Willie Mays, Dodger Duke Snider, and Yankee Mickey Mantle, appear on the Warner Wolfe show. It is the first time all three Hall of Fame outfielders have appeared together on a television show.