1981 Montreal Expos season
Encyclopedia
The Montreal Expos
made it to the postseason for the only time in franchise history. The season was separated into two halves due to the 1981 Major League Baseball strike.
, Los Angeles, California
, Los Angeles, California
, Montreal, Quebec
, Montreal, Quebec
, Montreal, Quebec
1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
made it to the postseason for the only time in franchise history. The season was separated into two halves due to the 1981 Major League Baseball strike.
Offseason
- December 8, 1980: Jack O'ConnorJack O'Connor (pitcher)Jack William O'Connor is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played all or part of six seasons in the majors, between and .-Sources:...
was drafted from the Expos by the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
in the rule 5 draftRule 5 draftThe Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
. - December 12, 1980: Tony BernazardTony BernazardAntonio Bernazard Garcia is a former Major League Baseball player and former executive in the New York Mets organization...
was traded by the Expos to the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for Rich WorthamRich WorthamRichard Cooper Wortham is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of four seasons in Major League Baseball, between 1978 and 1983, for the Chicago White Sox and Oakland Athletics.- Amateur career :...
. - December 12, 1980: Willie MontañezWillie MontañezGuillermo Montañez Naranjo is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Even though he was productive, Montañez often carried the label "hot dog" for the whimsical manner in which he approached the game. After hitting home runs, he would trot very slowly around the bases, shuffling his feet on...
was signed as a free agent by the Expos. - January 15, 1981: Ken MachaKen MachaKenneth Edward Macha is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and manager. During an 8-year managing career, he managed the Oakland Athletics , whom he guided to the American League's Western Division championship in both his first and final seasons with the team, and the Milwaukee Brewers...
was purchased from the Expos by the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. - February 18, 1981: Ray BurrisRay BurrisBertram Ray Burris was a pitcher with a 15 year career from 1973 to 1987. He played for the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Montreal Expos and St. Louis Cardinals all of the National League and the New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, and Milwaukee Brewers all of the American League...
was signed as a free agent by the Expos.
Regular season
- April 29, 1981: Steve CarltonSteve CarltonSteven Norman Carlton , nicknamed "Lefty", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1965-1988 for six different teams in his career, but it is his time with the Philadelphia Phillies where he received his greatest acclaim as a professional and won four Cy Young Awards...
struck out Tim WallachTim WallachTimothy Charles Wallach , nicknamed "Eli" in reference to actor Eli Wallach, is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played from to for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers, and California Angels. He won three Gold Glove awards for defensive excellence and 2 Silver Slugger...
for the 3000th strikeout of his career. - May 10, 1981: Charlie LeaCharlie LeaCharles William Lea was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From through , Lea played for the Montreal Expos and Minnesota Twins...
pitched a no hitter against the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, defeating them 4-0 at Olympic Stadium. The last out was recorded by Andre DawsonAndre DawsonAndre Nolan Dawson , nicknamed "The Hawk", is an American former center fielder and right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played for four different teams, spending most of his career with the Montreal Expos and Chicago Cubs .An 8-time National League All-Star, he was named the...
in center field. Lea would go on to shut out the Giants again a week later on four hits in San Francisco for good measure.
Notable transactions
- April 1, 1981: John TamargoJohn TamargoJohn Felix Tamargo is a former Major League Baseball catcher and coach and long-time minor league manager. He played all or part of five seasons in the majors from until...
was released by the Expos. - May 29, 1981: Ellis ValentineEllis ValentineEllis Clarence Valentine is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1972; playing for the Expos, he was elected a National League All-Star in 1977 and received a Gold Glove Award in 1978...
was traded by the Expos to the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
for Jeff ReardonJeff ReardonJeffrey James Reardon , nicknamed "The Terminator" for his intimidating presence on the mound and 98 mph fastball, is a former professional baseball relief pitcher from 1979-1994 who played for the New York Mets, Montreal Expos, Minnesota Twins, and Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati...
and Dan NormanDan NormanDaniel Edmund Norman is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets and Montreal Expos...
. - June 8, 1981: 1981 Major League Baseball Draft1981 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1981 Major League Baseball draft.- Other notable players :*John Elway was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft...
- Mike FuentesMike FuentesMike Fuentes is a former Major League Baseball player. He attended Florida State University, where he was the 1981 recipient of the Golden Spikes Award....
was drafted by the Expos in the 2nd round. - Mark McGwireMark McGwireMark David McGwire , nicknamed "Big Mac", is an American former professional baseball player who played his major league career with the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals. He is currently the hitting coach for the St...
was drafted by the Expos in the 8th round. - Marvin FreemanMarvin FreemanMarvin Freeman is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from to for the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves and Colorado Rockies. He worked as both a starting pitcher and a reliever in his career. He is currently an assistant baseball coach at Rich Central High School in Olympia...
was drafted by the Expos in the 9th round, but did not sign. - Al NewmanAl NewmanAlbert Dwayne Newman is a former infielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Montreal Expos , Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers...
was drafted by the Expos in the 1st round (12th pick) of the Secondary Phase.
- Mike Fuentes
- August 20, 1981: Willie Montañez was traded by the Expos to the Pittsburgh Pirates for John MilnerJohn MilnerJohn David Milner was an American first baseman and left fielder in Major League Baseball. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, he grew up a huge Hank Aaron fan, even appropriating his idol's nickname, "The Hammer." He was a member of the "We Are Family" Pittsburgh Pirates team that won the World Series...
.
Major League debuts
- Batters:
- Terry Francona (Aug 19)
- Mike Gates (May 6)
- Dave Hostetler (Sep 15)
- Tony Johnson (Sep 27)
- Wallace Johnson (Sep 8)
- Pat Rooney (Sep 9)
- Chris Smith (May 14)
- Tom Wieghaus (Oct 4)
- Pitchers:
- Rick Engle (Sep 2)
- Tom Gorman (Sep 2)
- Bryn Smith (Sep 8)
Opening Day starters
- Gary CarterGary CarterGary Edmund Carter , nicknamed "Kid" and "Kid Carter", is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 19-year baseball career, mostly with the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets, Carter established himself as one of the premier catchers in the National League, winning three Gold...
- Warren CromartieWarren CromartieWarren Livingston Cromartie is a retired American baseball player.-Baseball career:Warren Cromartie debuted with the Montreal Expos of the Major Leagues on September 6, 1974 after being picked 6th in the 1973 amateur draft...
- Andre DawsonAndre DawsonAndre Nolan Dawson , nicknamed "The Hawk", is an American former center fielder and right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played for four different teams, spending most of his career with the Montreal Expos and Chicago Cubs .An 8-time National League All-Star, he was named the...
- Larry ParrishLarry ParrishLarry Alton Parrish is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and right-handed batter who played with the Montreal Expos , Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox...
- Tim RainesTim RainesTimothy Raines , nicknamed "Rock", is a former American professional baseball player. He played as a left fielder in Major League Baseball for six teams from 1979 to 2002 and was best known for his 13 seasons with the Montreal Expos...
- Steve Rogers
- Rodney ScottRodney Scott (baseball)Rodney Darrell Scott was a infielder in Major League Baseball. Primarily used as a second baseman and shortstop, Scott also played third base, designated hitter and outfield during his eight-year career....
- Chris SpeierChris SpeierChristopher Edward Speier is a former Major League Baseball player and current bench coach for the Cincinnati Reds. He was drafted second overall in the January secondary 1970 Major League Baseball Draft.-Playing career:...
- Ellis ValentineEllis ValentineEllis Clarence Valentine is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1972; playing for the Expos, he was elected a National League All-Star in 1977 and received a Gold Glove Award in 1978...
Roster
| 1981 Montreal Expos | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
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Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 100 | 374 | 94 | .251 | 16 | 68 | |
| 1B | 99 | 358 | 109 | .304 | 6 | 42 | |
| 2B | 95 | 336 | 69 | .205 | 0 | 26 | |
| 3B | 128 | 440 | 116 | .264 | 17 | 62 | |
| SS | 96 | 307 | 69 | .225 | 2 | 25 | |
| LF | 88 | 313 | 95 | .304 | 5 | 37 | |
| CF | 103 | 394 | 119 | .302 | 24 | 64 | |
| RF | 71 | 212 | 50 | .236 | 4 | 13 | |
Other batters
| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | 119 | 26 | .218 | 3 | 11 | |
| 34 | 95 | 26 | .274 | 1 | 8 | |
| 31 | 76 | 18 | .237 | 3 | 9 | |
| 22 | 76 | 16 | .211 | 3 | 15 | |
| 26 | 62 | 11 | .177 | 0 | 5 | |
| 17 | 21 | 5 | .238 | 0 | 1 | |
Starting pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | 157.1 | 7 | 9 | 2.80 | 115 | |
| 22 | 160.2 | 12 | 8 | 3.42 | 87 | |
| 22 | 137.1 | 9 | 7 | 2.95 | 77 | |
| 22 | 135.2 | 9 | 7 | 3.05 | 52 | |
Other pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 64.1 | 5 | 4 | 4.62 | 31 | |
| 31 | 88.2 | 5 | 6 | 2.94 | 34 | |
Relief pitchers
| Player | G | IP | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 43 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 1.88 | 25 | |
| 32 | 39.1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3.66 | 18 | |
| 25 | 41.2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1.30 | 21 | |
| 25 | 49 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4.96 | 28 | |
| 12 | 17.1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6.23 | 4 | |
| 9 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.20 | 13 | |
| 10 | 10.2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7.59 | 4 | |
| 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18.00 | 2 |
Montreal Expos vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Montreal wins series, 3-2.| Game | Score | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montreal 3, Philadelphia 1 | October 7 |
| 2 | Montreal 3, Philadelphia 1 | October 8 |
| 3 | Philadelphia 6, Montreal 2 | October 9 |
| 4 | Philadelphia 6, Montreal 5 (10 innings) | October 10 |
| 5 | Montreal 3, Philadelphia 0 | October 11 |
- October 11, 1981 - Steve Rogers defeats Steve CarltonSteve CarltonSteven Norman Carlton , nicknamed "Lefty", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1965-1988 for six different teams in his career, but it is his time with the Philadelphia Phillies where he received his greatest acclaim as a professional and won four Cy Young Awards...
of the Phillies 3-0 in a pitchers duel to win the National League Division Series. Rogers drove in two of the three Expos runs to boot singling home Larry ParrishLarry ParrishLarry Alton Parrish is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and right-handed batter who played with the Montreal Expos , Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox...
and Chris SpeierChris SpeierChristopher Edward Speier is a former Major League Baseball player and current bench coach for the Cincinnati Reds. He was drafted second overall in the January secondary 1970 Major League Baseball Draft.-Playing career:...
in the fifth inning. The Expos advance to play the Dodgers who defeated the Astros. Rogers previously defeated Carlton in game one of the series as well.
Game 1
October 13, Dodger StadiumDodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium, also sometimes called Chavez Ravine, is a stadium in Los Angeles. Located adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium has been the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers team since 1962...
, Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
| 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 Burt Hooton Burt Carlton Hooton , nicknamed "Happy" , is a coach and former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball... (1-0) L: Bill Gullickson Bill Gullickson William Lee Gullickson is a former major league baseball pitcher who played for six different major-league teams, in Canada, the U.S... (0-1) |
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| HRs: MON – None LAD – Pedro Guerrero (1), Mike Scioscia Mike Scioscia Michael Lorri Scioscia is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He has worked in that capacity since the 2000 season, and is the longest-tenured manager in Major League Baseball.... (1) |
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| Pitchers: MON – Gullickson, Reardon (8) LAD – Hooton, Welch (8), Howe (9) | ||||||||||||
| Attendance: 51,273 | ||||||||||||
Game 2
October 14, Dodger StadiumDodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium, also sometimes called Chavez Ravine, is a stadium in Los Angeles. Located adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium has been the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers team since 1962...
, Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
| 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 Ray Burris Bertram Ray Burris was a pitcher with a 15 year career from 1973 to 1987. He played for the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Montreal Expos and St. Louis Cardinals all of the National League and the New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, and Milwaukee Brewers all of the American League... (1-0) L: Fernando Valenzuela Fernando Valenzuela Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea is a Mexican former left-handed pitcher, most notably with the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 1981, the 20-year-old Valenzuela took Los Angeles by storm, winning his first 8 decisions and leading the Dodgers to the World Championship... (0-1) |
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| 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 StadiumOlympic Stadium (Montreal)
The Olympic Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district of Montreal, Quebec, Canada built as the main venue for the 1976 Summer Olympics...
, 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 Jerry Reuss Jerry Reuss -- pronounced "royce" -- is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, best known for his years with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the United States, who had a 22-year career from to .... (0-1) |
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| HRs: LAD – None MON – Jerry White Jerry White (baseball) Jerome Cardell "Jerry" White is a former Major League Baseball player and current first base coach of the Minnesota Twins. He played for 11 seasons in the MLB, including stints with the Montreal Expos, Chicago Cubs, and Saint Louis Cardinals... (1) |
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| Pitchers: LAD – Reuss, Pena (8) MON – Rogers | ||||||||||||
| Attendance: 54,372 | ||||||||||||
Game 4
October 17, Olympic StadiumOlympic Stadium (Montreal)
The Olympic Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district of Montreal, Quebec, Canada built as the main venue for the 1976 Summer Olympics...
, 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 Burt Hooton Burt Carlton Hooton , nicknamed "Happy" , is a coach and former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball... (2-0) L: Bill Gullickson Bill Gullickson William Lee Gullickson is a former major league baseball pitcher who played for six different major-league teams, in Canada, the U.S... (0-2) |
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| HRs: LAD – Steve Garvey Steve Garvey Steven Patrick Garvey , nicknamed "Mr. Clean" because of the squeaky clean image he held throughout his career in baseball, is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current Southern California businessman... (1) MON – None |
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| Pitchers: LAD – Hooton, Welch (8), Howe (9) MON – Gullickson, Fryman (8), Sosa (9), Lee (9) | ||||||||||||
| Attendance: 54,499 | ||||||||||||
Game 5
October 19, Olympic StadiumOlympic Stadium (Montreal)
The Olympic Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district of Montreal, Quebec, Canada built as the main venue for the 1976 Summer Olympics...
, 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 Fernando Valenzuela Fernando Valenzuela Anguamea is a Mexican former left-handed pitcher, most notably with the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 1981, the 20-year-old Valenzuela took Los Angeles by storm, winning his first 8 decisions and leading the Dodgers to the World Championship... (1-1) L: Steve Rogers (1-1) SV: Bob Welch Bob Welch (baseball player) Robert Lynn "Bob" Welch is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland Athletics . He played in college for Eastern Michigan. Welch was best known for his blazing fastball, and he is the last pitcher to win 27 games in a single season... (1) |
||||||||||||
| HRs: LAD – Rick Monday Rick Monday Robert James "Rick" Monday, Jr. is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball and is currently a broadcast announcer. From 1966 through 1984, Monday, a center fielder for most of his career, played for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics , Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers... (1) MON – None |
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| Pitchers: LAD – Valenzuela, Welch (9) MON – Burris, Rogers (9) | ||||||||||||
| Attendance: 36,491 | ||||||||||||
- October 19, 1981: Blue Monday. In the decisive Game 5 of their only National League Championship Series, the Expos were defeated at home, 2-1, by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tim RainesTim RainesTimothy Raines , nicknamed "Rock", is a former American professional baseball player. He played as a left fielder in Major League Baseball for six teams from 1979 to 2002 and was best known for his 13 seasons with the Montreal Expos...
opened the bottom of the first with a double against Cy Young AwardCy Young AwardThe Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
-winning rookie sensation Fernando ValenzuelaFernando ValenzuelaFernando Valenzuela Anguamea is a Mexican former left-handed pitcher, most notably with the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 1981, the 20-year-old Valenzuela took Los Angeles by storm, winning his first 8 decisions and leading the Dodgers to the World Championship...
and scored on an Andre DawsonAndre DawsonAndre Nolan Dawson , nicknamed "The Hawk", is an American former center fielder and right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played for four different teams, spending most of his career with the Montreal Expos and Chicago Cubs .An 8-time National League All-Star, he was named the...
double play ball. Valenzuela held the Expos scoreless the rest of the way, however, and the Dodgers tied the game at 1 in the top of the fifth with two hits, a wild pitch and an RBI ground out off Expo starter Ray BurrisRay BurrisBertram Ray Burris was a pitcher with a 15 year career from 1973 to 1987. He played for the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Montreal Expos and St. Louis Cardinals all of the National League and the New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, and Milwaukee Brewers all of the American League...
. The teams remained tied until the top of the ninth, when Expo manager Jim FanningJim FanningWilliam James Fanning is a former catcher, manager and front office executive in Major League Baseball...
made a risky decision to relieve Burris with Game 3 winner Steve Rogers. Struggling closer Jeff ReardonJeff ReardonJeffrey James Reardon , nicknamed "The Terminator" for his intimidating presence on the mound and 98 mph fastball, is a former professional baseball relief pitcher from 1979-1994 who played for the New York Mets, Montreal Expos, Minnesota Twins, and Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati...
was throwing alongside Rogers in the bullpen at the time, but Fanning elected to summon his ace. Rogers retired Steve GarveySteve GarveySteven Patrick Garvey , nicknamed "Mr. Clean" because of the squeaky clean image he held throughout his career in baseball, is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current Southern California businessman...
and Ron CeyRon CeyRonald Charles Cey |Washington]]) is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics . Cey batted and threw right-handed...
in order, but outfielder Rick MondayRick MondayRobert James "Rick" Monday, Jr. is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball and is currently a broadcast announcer. From 1966 through 1984, Monday, a center fielder for most of his career, played for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics , Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers...
homered to put Los Angeles ahead, 2-1, and crush the Expos' hopes of advancing to the World SeriesWorld SeriesThe World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
. Two-out walks from Gary CarterGary CarterGary Edmund Carter , nicknamed "Kid" and "Kid Carter", is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 19-year baseball career, mostly with the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets, Carter established himself as one of the premier catchers in the National League, winning three Gold...
and Larry ParrishLarry ParrishLarry Alton Parrish is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and right-handed batter who played with the Montreal Expos , Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox...
were all that the Expos could muster in the 9th, as Bob WelchBob Welch (baseball player)Robert Lynn "Bob" Welch is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland Athletics . He played in college for Eastern Michigan. Welch was best known for his blazing fastball, and he is the last pitcher to win 27 games in a single season...
preserved the one-run Dodger victory. The Expos lost the NLCS, 3-2, and never returned to the postseason.
Awards and honors
- Gary CarterGary CarterGary Edmund Carter , nicknamed "Kid" and "Kid Carter", is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 19-year baseball career, mostly with the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets, Carter established himself as one of the premier catchers in the National League, winning three Gold...
, All-Star Game MVP - Gary CarterGary CarterGary Edmund Carter , nicknamed "Kid" and "Kid Carter", is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 19-year baseball career, mostly with the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets, Carter established himself as one of the premier catchers in the National League, winning three Gold...
, Gold Glove Award, Catcher - Andre DawsonAndre DawsonAndre Nolan Dawson , nicknamed "The Hawk", is an American former center fielder and right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played for four different teams, spending most of his career with the Montreal Expos and Chicago Cubs .An 8-time National League All-Star, he was named the...
, Gold Glove Award, Outfield - Charlie LeaCharlie LeaCharles William Lea was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From through , Lea played for the Montreal Expos and Minnesota Twins...
, Pitcher of the MonthPitcher of the MonthThe Pitcher of the Month award is a Major League Baseball award named by each league for each month of the regular season. The National League started recognizing the award in . The American League followed in...
Award, May - Tim Raines, OF, The Sporting News Rookie of the Year AwardThe Sporting News Rookie of the Year AwardThe Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award was established in 1946 by The Sporting News .*In 1947-48, and again in 1950, a single award was given for all of Major League Baseball....
- Tim RainesTim RainesTimothy Raines , nicknamed "Rock", is a former American professional baseball player. He played as a left fielder in Major League Baseball for six teams from 1979 to 2002 and was best known for his 13 seasons with the Montreal Expos...
, National League Leader, 71 Stolen Bases
1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 52nd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on August 9, 1981, at Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, the home of...
- Gary CarterGary CarterGary Edmund Carter , nicknamed "Kid" and "Kid Carter", is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 19-year baseball career, mostly with the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets, Carter established himself as one of the premier catchers in the National League, winning three Gold...
, Catcher, Starter - Andre DawsonAndre DawsonAndre Nolan Dawson , nicknamed "The Hawk", is an American former center fielder and right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played for four different teams, spending most of his career with the Montreal Expos and Chicago Cubs .An 8-time National League All-Star, he was named the...
, Outfield, Starter - Tim RainesTim RainesTimothy Raines , nicknamed "Rock", is a former American professional baseball player. He played as a left fielder in Major League Baseball for six teams from 1979 to 2002 and was best known for his 13 seasons with the Montreal Expos...
, Outfield, Reserve
Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: DenverExternal links
- 1981 Montreal Expos team page at Baseball Reference
- 1981 Montreal Expos team page at www.baseball-almanac.com
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