Torre names manager of Braves
On October 22, 1981 The Atlanta Braves name Joe Torre as their new manager. He will have a successful run with the Braves winning 53% of his games and winning the division in his first year.
St. Louis Cardinals acquire outfielder Willie McGee from the New York Yankees for pitcher Bob Sykes
On October 21, 1981, the St. Louis Cardinals make one of their best trades ever when they acquire outfielder 22 year old Willie McGee from the New York Yankees for pitcher Bob Sykes. McGee will play 18 years in the major leagues, mostly with St. Louis. McGee was their 1977 first-round (15th overall). Mcgee we…
Blue Monday – Rick Monday home run in the ninth eliminates Expos
Blue Monday On October 19, 1981 — The first Canadian pennant hopes are dashed when Dodger Rick Monday’s ninth-inning two-out dramatic home run off Steve Rodgers beats the Expos, 2-1, in the deciding game of the NLCS. Ray Burris had pitched 8 innings giving up 1 run, Monday had scored on a ground out Fernando…
1981 – Pitcher Bob Gibson is elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Gibson, who needed 301 votes for election, is named on 337 ballots by the Baseball Writers Association of America. In 17 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, Gibson won 251 games, struck out 3,117 batters, compiled a 2.91 ERA, won 20 games five times, and earned two World Championship rings. In 1968, Gibson enjoyed his best season ever, going 22-9 with a 1.12 ERA and captured the Cy Young Award. Players falling short of the 301 votes needed for election include Don Drysdale (243), Gil Hodges (241), Harmon Killebrew (239), Hoyt Wilhelm (238) and Juan Marichal (233).
1981 – Pitcher Bob Gibson is elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Gibson, who needed 301 votes for election, is named on 337 ballots by the Baseball Writers Association of America. In 17 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, Gibson won 251 games, struck out 3,117 batters, compiled a 2.91 ERA, won 20 games five times, and earned two World Championship rings. In 1968, Gibson enjoyed his best season ever, going 22-9 with a 1.12 ERA and captured the Cy Young Award. Players falling short of the 301 votes needed for election include Don Drysdale (243), Gil Hodges (241), Harmon Killebrew (239), Hoyt Wilhelm (238) and Juan Marichal (233).
New York Yankees their 33rd American League pennant
1981 – Pitchers Dave Righetti, Ron Davis and Goose Gossage combine on a 4 – 0 shutout of the Oakland Athletics in Game 3 of the ALCS to give the New York Yankees their 33rd American League pennant.
Expos win the National League Eastern Division
The Expos win the National League Eastern Division when Steve Rogers goes the distance, defeating Steve Carlton and the defending World Champions Phillies at Veterans Stadium, 3-0. Divisional playoffs were devised to salvage the strike-shortened season.
Alan Ashby slams a two-out two-run homer off Dave Stewart in the ninth to stun the Dodgers, 3-1
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.
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.
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.
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
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…
