Athletics Dominate American League
Everything went right for the Oakland Athletics in 1981. The A's won a league best 105 games and improved a full 24 games on their 1980 total. The 105 wins was one off of the franchise record set in 1969 and gave the A's their first division title since 1975.
Reggie Jackson (.293,34,103), Steve Garvey (.303,22,106) and Ken Singleton (.304,22,90) were mashing the ball while the Oakland pitching staff was the stingiest in the American League. Vida Blue (18-11,3.86), Jim Nash (17-12, 3.47) and Rollie Fingers (49 sv, 2.41) had their usual strong seasons but the big surprise was Alan Wirth (18-6, 3.95). In his 4th major league season, the 24 year old cut his era nearly in half from last season and virtually reversed his 5-17 record of a year ago.
Despite the pitching of Welch Award winner Rudy May (16-7, 2.95) and Ed Figueroa (16-6, 3.44), the California Angels finished a distant second. Charlie Spikes (.357,12,93) and Ken Landreaux (.325,17,112) each had career years.
Injuries decimated the White Sox pitching staff as the club dropped from 111 wins a year ago to 89 this season. Last years top pitcher Francisco Barrios (13-6, 3.00) missed over a month. Bart Johnson (3-9, 4.70) hurt his arm in April and then was lost for the season in July. Lamarr Hoyt (3-3, 5.28), Ken Kravac (8-5, 4.80), Britt Burns (12-11, 4.67) and Rich Gossage (29 sv) also missed extensive time. The situation got so bad that the White Sox had 4 pitchers disabled in July, forcing them to deal last years rookie of the year Harold Baines to Texas for veteran starter Joe Coleman (15-10, 3.32). Chet Lemon (.281,13,82) stepped up nicely to replace Baines. Dusty Baker (.315,25,92), Brian Downing (.295,19,99), Jorge Orta (.349,19,90), Don Money (.291,25,127) and Lamar Johnson (.279,8,60) gave the White Sox plenty of offense.
Offense was not a problem in Kansas City as batting champ Jose Cruz (.359,15,86), Clint Hurdle (.333,14,90), George Brett (.302,18,92), Al Cowens (.315,10,93), Frank White (.290,23,88) and Reggie Smith (.306,41,144) generated plenty of runs. The pitching staff was awful though, as only Dennis Leonard (16-10, 4.54) managed a winning record among the starters. Dan Quisenberry had 36 saves but received little help in the pen.
The emergence of rookie of the year Kent Hrbek (.301,32,130) allowed the Twins to deal Ed Goodson to San Diego for outfielder Bill Buckner (.326,14,108). Rod Carew (.352,4,60), catcher Ed Putman (.276,17,66) and Lyman Bostock (.284,8,66) were also prominent.
After a brief moment of optimism in Texas when the Rangers finished in second place last year, it was back to old times. They did add a future superstar in 22 year old Harold Baines (.311,22,90) but the deal cost them their best pitcher. Infielders Greg Pryor (.286,20,95), Roy Smalley (.301,11,58) and Vic Harris (.340,16,79) played well while outfielder Greg Luzinski (.297,21,97) had the best season of his career in his first full year out of Philadelphia.
The Mariners are regressing, losing a franchise worst 114 games. The pitching staff just plain sucks. Dave Freisleben (3-20, 11.10) likely had the worst season ever by a pitcher. Pete Redfern (6-18, 6.76) and Mike Parrott (10-18, 7.18) didnt fare much better. In contrast rookie Bud Black (13-16, 4.58) must have looked like Cliff Markle. Rowland Office (.358, 6,59) nearly won the batting title while rookie Dave Henderson (.252,22,74) looks promising.
Brewers Take East Again
For the second year in a row the Milwaukee Brewers were the class of the American League East Division finishing 5 games ahead of second place Detroit.
American League MVP Fred Lynn (.328,35,136) led an offense that more than made up for weak pitching. Gorman Thomas (.256,36,114), Paul Molitor (.354,14,94), Ron Theobold (.316,15,72) and Charlie Moore (.305,7,76) were the other key hitters. Pedro Guerrero (.285,20,81) was added in a midseason trade that sent Dave Parker to Los Angeles. A career year from Gary Ryerson (15-7, 3.75) was the best among the pitching staff. The rotation also included Bill Travers (14-11, 5.05), Jim Slaton (12-9, 5.01) and Larry Sorenson (13-10, 4.78)
Detroit finished second as the Tigers were led by Dave Rozema (15-11, 4.22), Kirk Gibson (.319,17,71), John Wockenfuss (.297,13,85), Toby Harrah (.315,21,100), Jeff Burroughs (.267,18,96) and Leon Roberts (.266,27,92).
Steve Kline (17-10, 3.75) and Ron Guidry (15-14, 4.68) helped the Yankees to a third place finish. Damaso Garcia (.288,25,81) became a power threat in his 4th season. Thurman Munson (.324,18,96), Otto Velez (.341,18,98), Bobby Murcer (.293,16,81) and Dave Revering (.288,14,93) also contributed.
The Blue Jays finished 4th for the second year in a row. The future looks good with a young rotation that includes Dave Stieb (12-13, 3.90), Jim Clancy (10-13, 5.52), Silvio Martinez (9-9, 4.98) and Mark Lemongello (12-7, 5.80). Closer Victor Cruz (2.51, 43 sv) had another outstanding year. George Bell (.287,11,79) is a rookie to watch.
In Baltimore, most of the talk centered around rookie shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. (.269,22,114). First baseman Eddie Murray (.315,24,112) had a career year. Dennis Martinez (17-14, 4.74) was the best of a weak staff. John Tudor (17-10, 4.26) returned to his rookie of the year form from 2 years ago but injuries dropped Boston from second place to 6th. Al Oliver (.361,24,111) had a monster year for the Sox.
Guess where Cleveland finished. Joe Charbonneau (.257,7,47) was anything but super in his second season. Barry Bonds (.253,29,97) and Carlton Fisk (.297,22,86) did get some offensive help from Mike Cubbage (.334,10,81) and Leron Lee (.354,10,76). Dennis Eckersley (12-9, 3.66) pitched well. Tommy John (4-20, 8.69) didnt.
American Standings :
(Name W L PCT GB AVG ERA)
East Division
Milwaukee 92 70 .568 -- .303 4.60
Detroit 87 75 .537 5 .290 4.60
New York (A) 85 77 .525 7 .284 4.30
Toronto 82 80 .506 10 .272 4.80
Baltimore 81 81 .500 11 .287 5.46
Boston 79 83 .488 13 .293 5.26
Cleveland 75 87 .463 17 .285 4.77
West Division
Oakland 105 57 .648 -- .292 3.83
California 92 70 .568 13 .298 4.45
Chicago (A) 89 73 .549 16 .294 4.09
Kansas City 76 86 .469 29 .294 5.48
Minnesota 76 86 .469 29 .283 4.79
Texas 67 95 .414 38 .289 4.80
Seattle 48 114 .296 57 .280 6.19
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BATTING LEADERS
TOP 10 in BATTING AVG :
.359 Jose Cruz(KCA)
.358 Rowland Office(SEA)
.357 Charlie Spikes(CAL)
.354 Leron Lee(CLE)
.354 Paul Molitor(MIL,A)
.349 Jorge Orta(CHA,A)
.343 Cecil Cooper(BOS)
.341 Otto Velez(NYA)
.340 Vic Harris(TEX)
.334 Mike Cubbage(CLE)
TOP 10 in HOMERUNS :
41 Reggie Smith(KCA,A)
36 Gorman Thomas(MIL)
35 Fred Lynn(MIL,A)
34 Reggie Jackson(OAK)
34 Ben Oglivie(BOS,A)
32 Kent Hrbek( MIN,A)
29 Doug Decinces(BAL)
29 Bobby Bonds(CLE)
27 Leon Roberts(DET)
25 Don Money(CHA)
TOP 10 in RBI :
144 Reggie Smith(KCA,A)
136 Fred Lynn(MIL,A)
130 Kent Hrbek( MIN,A)
127 Don Money(CHA)
115 Ben Oglivie(BOS,A)
114 Cal Ripken jr.( BAL,A)
114 Gorman Thomas(MIL)
112 Ken Landreaux(CAL)
112 Eddie Murray(BAL,A)
111 Al Oliver(BOS)
TOP 10 in Doubles :
55 Jose Ortiz(CHA)
50 Joe Rudi(OAK,A)
49 Fred Lynn(MIL,A)
48 George Brett(KCA,A)
41 Cecil Cooper(BOS)
41 Reggie Smith(KCA,A)
39 Paul Molitor(MIL,A)
39 Ken Singleton(OAK)
39 Kevin Pasley(SEA)
37 Ken Landreaux(CAL)
TOP 10 in Triples :
9 Jose Ortiz(CHA)
7 Leron Lee(CLE)
6 Mike Colbern(CHA)
6 Dickie Thon(CAL)
6 Lyman Bostock(MIN)
6 Al Oliver(BOS)
6 Dave Revering(NYA)
5 George Bell( TOR)
5 Damaso Garcia(NYA)
5 Mike Cubbage(CLE)
TOP 10 in Runs :
128 Fred Lynn(MIL,A)
119 Reggie Smith(KCA,A)
118 Kent Hrbek( MIN,A)
116 Toby Harrah(DET)
112 Jose Cruz(KCA)
109 Damaso Garcia(NYA)
108 Ken Landreaux(CAL)
108 Cecil Cooper(BOS)
108 Jose Ortiz(CHA)
105 Reggie Jackson(OAK)
TOP 10 in Stolen Bases :
61 Jose Cruz(KCA)
45 Garry Maddox(NYA)
44 U.l. Washington(KCA)
42 Paul Molitor(MIL,A)
40 Damaso Garcia(NYA)
40 Larry Bowa(MIN)
40 Bill Sample(TEX)
40 Mickey Rivers(CAL)
36 Al Bumbry(BAL)
33 Reggie Smith(KCA,A)
TOP 10 in BB's :
100 Vic Harris(TEX)
88 Brian Downing(CHA)
87 Fred Lynn(MIL,A)
85 Frank White(KCA)
84 Rowland Office(SEA)
82 Reggie Jackson(OAK)
81 Reggie Smith(KCA,A)
80 Jeff Burroughs(DET)
79 Dusty Baker(CHA)
77 Mike Cubbage(CLE)
TOP 10 in Strikeouts :
168 Gorman Thomas(MIL)
147 Reggie Jackson(OAK)
140 Jamie Quirk(KCA)
132 Bobby Bonds(CLE)
123 Greg Luzinski(TEX)
119 Mike Colbern(CHA)
118 Leon Roberts(DET)
116 George Brett(KCA,A)
115 Otto Velez(NYA)
114 Jim Rice(BOS)
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PITCHING LEADERS
TOP 10 in ERA :
2.83 Dave Goltz (MIN)
2.95 Rudy May (CAL,A)
3.00 Francisco Barrios (CHA)
3.28 Mike Norris (OAK)
3.32 Joe Coleman (TEX CHA)
3.44 Ed Figueroa (CAL)
3.47 Jim Nash (OAK,A)
3.66 Dennis Eckersley (CLE)
3.72 Stan Bahnsen (NYA)
3.75 Steve Kline (NYA,A)
TOP 10 in WINS :
18 Alan Wirth (OAK)
18 Vida Blue (OAK,A)
17 Dennis Martinez (BAL)
17 Steve Kline (NYA,A)
17 John Tudor (BOS)
17 Jim Nash (OAK,A)
16 Dennis Leonard (KCA,A)
16 Rudy May (CAL,A)
16 Ed Figueroa (CAL)
15 Dave Rozema (DET)
TOP 10 in LOSSES :
20 Dave Freisleben (SEA)
20 Tommy John (CLE)
18 Mike Parrott (SEA)
18 Pete Redfern (SEA)
17 Scott Mcgregor (BAL)
17 Len Barker (TEX)
16 Bud Black ( SEA)
16 Dick Bosman (TEX)
16 Roger Erickson (MIN)
15 Paul Splittorff (KCA)
TOP 10 in SAVES :
49 Rollie Fingers (OAK,A)
43 Victor Cruz (TOR,A)
38 Dave Righetti (NYA)
37 Sparky Lyle (BOS)
36 Dan Quisenberry (KCA)
30 Dave Laroche (CAL)
29 Don Stanhouse (TEX)
29 Rich Gossage (CHA)
25 Bob Apodaca (BAL)
25 Tom Johnson (MIN)
TOP 10 in COMPLETE GAMES :
16 Dave Goltz (MIN)
15 Dave Rozema (DET)
12 Jim Nash (OAK,A)
12 Dick Bosman (TEX)
10 Danny Darwin (TEX)
10 Jack Morris (DET)
9 Mark Fidrych (DET)
9 Len Barker (TEX)
8 Jim Slaton (MIL)
8 Tom Bradley (CAL)
TOP 10 in SHUTOUTS :
3 Bill Travers (MIL)
3 Tom Bradley (CAL)
3 Ron Guidry (NYA)
3 Rudy May (CAL,A)
2 Joe Coleman (TEX CHA)
2 Francisco Barrios (CHA)
2 Dennis Leonard (KCA,A)
2 Steve Kline (NYA,A)
2 Ken Kravec (CHA)
2 Stan Bahnsen (NYA)
TOP 10 in K's :
243 Joe Coleman (TEX CHA)
229 Steve Kline (NYA,A)
185 Len Barker (TEX)
174 Paul Moskau (TOR)
152 Dave Boswell (MIN)
151 Jim Nash (OAK,A)
147 Vida Blue (OAK,A)
144 Frank Tanana (CAL)
139 Dave Stieb (TOR)
138 Steve Busby (BOS)
TOP 10 in BB's :
112 Steve Dunning (CLE)
111 John Miller (KCA)
107 Dave Boswell (MIN)
105 Sam Mcdowell (KCA)
96 Frank Tanana (CAL)
94 Eric Wilkins (CLE)
88 Vida Blue (OAK,A)
88 Dave Freisleben (SEA)
88 Tommy John (CLE)
85 Darrell Jackson (MIN)
1981 MISC. NOTES
The American League batting race was the tighest in memory as just .005 seperated the top 5 hitters.
ALLSTAR GAME Kansas City outfielder Reggie Smith hit a 3 run homer off of Pittsburgh's Bob Moose in the first inning as the American League breezed to a 7-2 victory in the 1981 Midseason Classic. Smith, who had 3 hits and 4 rbi's was named the game's MVP. Milwaukee's Fred Lynn also had 3 hits while Minnesota rookie Kent Hrbek had a pair of hits. Only Pittsburgh shortstop Craig Reynolds managed more than one hit for the National Leaguers. Oakland's Jim Nash got the win with teammate Rollie Fingers and Toronto closer Victor Cruz pitching well in relief. Moose was tagged with the loss.
Bosley's streak On August 7th California's Thad Bosley tied Rod Carew's 1975 record of hitting safely in 38 straight games. Bosley went 1-for-4 with a 7th inning single of Milwaukee reliever Kevin Kobel to keep the streak alive. It ended the next day as Moose Haas and 2 Brewer relievers held Bosley off the basepaths. The major league record remains at 38 games and is now shared by Bosley and Carew.
MILESTONES
Speaking of Carew, the Minnesota infielder got his 3000th career hit in June. It was a triple off of Kansas City reliever Jim York.
Other milestones: 4 players notched their 2000th career hit this season. They are: Tony Perez Mets, Thurman Munson Yankees, Cecil Cooper Boston, George Foster San Francisco
MAY NO-HITTER
California's Rudy May pitched the second no-hitter of his career when he blanked Seattle 2-0 on June 29th. Only a walk to second baseman Bob Sheldon spoilled the perfect game. May threw his first no-hitter in 1975 against Baltimore.
THE RECORD BOOK
Kansas City's Jose Cruz set a new American League stolen base record by swiping 61 bags this season. He broke Baltimore's Frank Tavaras' mark of 52 set in 1978. Lou Brock still holds the major league record of 72. He set it with the Cubs in 1971.
Minnesota rookie Kent Hrbek broke a 51 year old record by driving in 130 runs this season. The previous best for a rookie was 128 set by the White Sox Smead Jolley in 1930. Chcuk Klein of the Phillies owns the major league rookie mark. He drove in 142 in his Triple Crown rookie season of 1928.
Bucky Dent of the White Sox tied the record for most at bats in an extra inning game when he had 11 on April 19th. Craig Reynolds was the last player to have 11 at bats. The Pittsburgh infielder did it in 1978. The last American Leaguer before Dent was Willie Montanez of California in 1968.
MAJOR TRADES OF 1981
In April San Diego sent outfielder Bill Buckner to Minnesota for 1B Ed Goodson. Rookie Kent Hrbek made Goodson expendable.
In July Texas dealt their only reliable starter in veteran Joe Coleman to the White Sox for OF Harold Baines, OF Leo Sutherland and 3B Fran Mullins. The White Sox pitching staff was riddled with injury so they had to give up a potential superstar in the 22 year old Baines. How soon they forget. 1980 ALCS MVP Fran Mullins is run out of the Windy City.
In July Milwaukee deals outfielder Dave Parker to Los Angeles for 1B Pedro Guerrero. Likely means the end of Willie Montanez in Milwaukee. Guerrero was expendable for LA with Nate Colbert at first base.
In July Pittsburgh sends 3B Richie Hebner to Houston for P Ken Forsch and OF Derek Bryant. Hebner has been unhappy in Pittsburgh ever since Darrell Evans arrived in town 5 years ago. He will start in Houston and is a big improvement on Wayne Krenchicki, who was playing everyday for the Astros now that Bob Aspromonte has reached the end of the line. Forsch may not crack the Pirates rotation but will add depth to their staff. The Pirates then moved Manny Sanguillen and Bryant to San Francisco for middle reliever Terry Cornutt.
Derek Bryant never played a game in the HOB but he was well travelled.
Here is his transaction history:
1979 - April 23 traded with 1B Dave Revering from Oakland to Baltimore for P Bill Dillman.
1981 - June 15th traded from Baltimore to Houston with 3B Wayne Krenchicki for P Tom Dixon
1981 - July 29th traded from Houston to Pittsburgh with P Ken Forsch for 3B Richie Hebner.
1981 - July 30th traded from Pittsburgh to San Francisco with C Manny Sanguillen for P Terry Cornutt.
He must of got sick of the moving because he retired at the end of the 1981 season. Bryant never played above AA in the HOB. In real life the OF batted .179 in 39 games for the 1979 Oakland A's.
[ December 21, 2001: Message edited by: Tiger Fan ]