1981 St. Louis Cardinals season
Encyclopedia
The St. Louis Cardinals
1981 season
was the team's 100th season in St. Louis, Missouri
and the 90th season in the National League
. The Cardinals went 59-43 during the season and finished second in the National League East
in the first and second halves of the season. They missed the playoffs due to the 1981 player's strike, which resulted in the season being split in halves, where the first half and second half leaders met up in a "Divisional Playoff". The Cards finished second in both halves of the season, a game and-a-half behind the Philadelphia Phillies
in the first half, and one-half game behind the Montreal Expos
in the second half.
First baseman Keith Hernandez
won a Gold Glove
this year.
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
1981 season
1981 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees ; Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero, and Steve Yeager, co-MVPsNOTE: Due to a strike in mid-season, the season was divided into a first half and a second half...
was the team's 100th season in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
and the 90th season in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
. The Cardinals went 59-43 during the season and finished second in the National League East
National League East
The National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
in the first and second halves of the season. They missed the playoffs due to the 1981 player's strike, which resulted in the season being split in halves, where the first half and second half leaders met up in a "Divisional Playoff". The Cards finished second in both halves of the season, a game and-a-half behind the Philadelphia Phillies
1981 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies' 1981 season was a season in American baseball.- Offseason :* November 25, 1980: Rick Schu was signed as an amateur free agent by the Phillies....
in the first half, and one-half game behind the Montreal Expos
1981 Montreal Expos season
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.- Offseason :...
in the second half.
First baseman Keith Hernandez
Keith Hernandez
Keith Barlow Hernandez is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He is currently a baseball analyst working for the New York Mets, for whom he played from –, on SportsNet New York and WPIX television broadcasts...
won a Gold Glove
Gold Glove Award
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
this year.
Offseason
- December 8, 1980: Terry KennedyTerry KennedyTerrence Edward Kennedy is a former All-Star Major League Baseball catcher who played for the St. Louis Cardinals , San Diego Padres , Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants . Kennedy batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He is the son of former major league player and manager Bob Kennedy...
, Steve SwisherSteve SwisherSteven Eugene Swisher is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Diego Padres from 1974 to 1982. Swisher was elected to the 1976 National League All-Star team with the Cubs but did not play in the game...
, Mike PhillipsMike Phillips (baseball)Michael Dwaine Phillips , is a veteran of professional baseball who played shortstop, second base, and third base in the majors from 1973-1983. The first-round draft choice of the San Francisco Giants in 1969, he saw action for the Giants, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and...
, John LittlefieldJohn LittlefieldJohn Andrew Littlefield is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched two seasons in the major leagues, for the St. Louis Cardinals and for the San Diego Padres. He appeared in 94 games, all as a reliever.-Sources:...
, John UrreaJohn UrreaJohn Goody Urrea is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals from to and the San Diego Padres in .-External links:...
, Kim SeamanKim SeamanKim Michael Seaman is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He appeared in 27 games for the St. Louis Cardinals during the 1979 and 1980 baseball seasons.-External links:...
, and Al OlmstedAl OlmstedAlan Ray Olmsted was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1980.-External links:...
were traded by the Cardinals to the San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
for Rollie FingersRollie FingersRoland Glen Fingers is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. During his 18-year baseball career, he pitched for the Oakland Athletics , San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers . He became only the second reliever to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992...
, Bob ShirleyBob ShirleyRobert Charles Shirley is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of eleven seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1977 to 1987, for the San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals...
, Gene TenaceGene TenaceFury Gene Tenace , better known as Gene Tenace, is a former Italian-American professional baseball player and current coach in Major League Baseball. He was a catcher and first baseman from through . Tenace was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics from Valley High School in Lucasville, OH and...
and a player to be named later. The Padres completed the deal by sending Bob GerenBob GerenRobert Peter Geren is a former Major League Baseball catcher and manager. During a 5-year playing career, he played for the New York Yankees and the San Diego Padres . He managed the Oakland Athletics from 2007 through 2011...
to the Cardinals on December 10. - December 9, 1980: Leon DurhamLeon DurhamLeon "Bull" Durham is a former first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for 10 seasons. Durham played with the St. Louis Cardinals , Chicago Cubs , and Cincinnati Reds...
, Ken ReitzKen ReitzKenneth John Reitz is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball. A right-handed hitter, Reitz played for the St...
and a player to be named later were traded by the Cardinals to the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for Bruce SutterBruce SutterHoward Bruce Sutter is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. He was arguably the first pitcher to make effective use of the splitter....
. The Cardinals completed the trade by sending Tye WallerTye WallerElliott Tyrone Waller or more commonly known as Tye Waller or Ty Waller, is the first base coach for Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics franchise, and a former major league third baseman....
to the Cubs on December 22. - December 12, 1980: Ted SimmonsTed SimmonsTed Lyle Simmons is an American former professional baseball player and coach. A switch-hitter, Simmons was a catcher for most of his Major League Baseball career with the St. Louis Cardinals , the Milwaukee Brewers and the Atlanta Braves...
, Rollie FingersRollie FingersRoland Glen Fingers is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. During his 18-year baseball career, he pitched for the Oakland Athletics , San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers . He became only the second reliever to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992...
and Pete VuckovichPete VuckovichPeter Dennis Vuckovich is a retired American starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who came across as an intimidating presence on the mound with his 6'4" 220 lb frame and Fu Manchu moustache. Vuckovich was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1974...
were traded by the Cardinals to the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Sixto LezcanoSixto LezcanoSixto Joaquin Lezcano Curras is a retired baseball player who played for 12 seasons as an outfielder in the Major Leagues between 1974 and 1985. He played for 5 different teams in the Majors and won a Gold Glove during his career.Lezcano was originally signed as an amateur in 1970 by the...
, David Green, Lary SorensenLary SorensenLary Alan Sorensen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Milwaukee Brewers , St...
and Dave LaPointDave LaPointDavid Jeffrey LaPoint was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently the manager of the Rockland Boulders, an American professional baseball team based in Pomona, New York and member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball known as the Can-Am League.-Early life and...
. - February 16, 1981: The Cardinals traded a player to be named later to the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for Rafael SantanaRafael SantanaRafael Francisco Santana de la Cruz is a former Major League Baseball shortstop who won a World Series ring with the 1986 New York Mets. He currently serves as the Dominican Republic scouting and player development supervisor for the Chicago White Sox.-St...
. The Cardinals completed the deal by sending George Frazier to the Yankees on June 7.
Opening Day starters
- Bob ForschBob ForschRobert Herbert Forsch was an American right-handed starting pitcher who spent most of his sixteen years in Major League Baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals before finishing his playing career with the Houston Astros...
- George HendrickGeorge HendrickGeorge Andrew Hendrick Jr. is a former major league outfielder for the Oakland Athletics, Cleveland Indians, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates and California Angels. However Hendrick is best remembered as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, for whom he played for from 1979–84. He was a...
- Keith HernandezKeith HernandezKeith Barlow Hernandez is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He is currently a baseball analyst working for the New York Mets, for whom he played from –, on SportsNet New York and WPIX television broadcasts...
- Tom HerrTom HerrThomas Mitchell Herr is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1979 to 1991 for the St. Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, and New York Mets...
- Sixto LezcanoSixto LezcanoSixto Joaquin Lezcano Curras is a retired baseball player who played for 12 seasons as an outfielder in the Major Leagues between 1974 and 1985. He played for 5 different teams in the Majors and won a Gold Glove during his career.Lezcano was originally signed as an amateur in 1970 by the...
- Ken OberkfellKen OberkfellKenneth Raymond Oberkfell is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman and ex-coach for the New York Mets. He played from 1977-1992 for six different teams. Oberkfell primarily played third base but was also known to play second base and both corner outfield positions...
- Darrell PorterDarrell PorterDarrell Ray Porter was a former American professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers. He was known for his excellent defensive skills and power hitting...
- Tony ScottTony Scott (baseball)Anthony Scott is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.-Montreal Expos:Scott was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 71st round of the 1969 Major League Baseball Draft. After five seasons in their farm system, he received a September call-up to the Expos in...
- Garry TempletonGarry TempletonGarry Lewis Templeton, nicknamed "Jumpsteady", is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets from 1976 to 1991...
Notable transactions
- April 3, 1981: Julio GonzálezJulio González (infielder)Julio César González Hernández is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He played all or part of seven seasons in the majors from until . He played about equally at shortstop and second base, with a lesser but still substantial number at third base.-Sources:...
was signed as a free agent by the Cardinals. - April 29, 1981: Bill LyonsBill LyonsWilliam Allen Lyons is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He played in parts of two seasons in the majors, and , for the St. Louis Cardinals, primarily as a second baseman.-External links:...
was signed as a free agent by the Cardinals. - June 7, 1981: Tony ScottTony Scott (baseball)Anthony Scott is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.-Montreal Expos:Scott was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 71st round of the 1969 Major League Baseball Draft. After five seasons in their farm system, he received a September call-up to the Expos in...
was traded by the Cardinals to the Houston AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
for Joaquín AndújarJoaquín AndújarJoaquín Andújar is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who became one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball while playing with the St. Louis Cardinals in the mid-80s.-Early years:...
. - 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...
- Tom NietoTom NietoThomas Andrew Nieto is a former Major League Baseball catcher and former manager of the Rochester Red Wings, the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Nieto previously served as the New York Mets' bench coach and catching instructor. A native of Downey, California, Nieto attended Oral Roberts...
was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 3rd round. - Danny CoxDanny CoxDanny Bradford Cox , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1983 to 1988, the Philadelphia Phillies from 1991 to 1992, the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1992, and then the Toronto Blue Jays from 1993 to 1995, when he retired...
was drafted by the Cardinals in the 13th round.
- Tom Nieto
- September 10, 1981: Joe EdelenJoe EdelenBenny Joe Edelen was touted as one of the all-time great high school athletes in the state of Oklahoma. A recipient of the Jim Thorpe award, Joe excelled in basketball and baseball receiving All-State and All-America honors in both sports. Joe is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who...
and Neil FialaNeil FialaNeil Stephen Fiala is a former Major League Baseball player. He played in five games in the majors in September , all as a pinch hitter. He pinch-hit three times for the St...
were traded by the Cardinals to the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for Doug BairDoug BairCharles Douglas Bair is a right-handed former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played all or part of fifteen seasons in the majors, from until , for seven different teams...
.
Roster
| 1981 St. Louis Cardinals roster | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
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 |
|---|
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | 214 | 57 | .266 | 5 | 28 | |
| 58 | 129 | 30 | .233 | 5 | 22 | |
| 44 | 46 | 9 | .196 | 0 | 2 | |
| 21 | 34 | 5 | .147 | 0 | 2 | |
| 20 | 22 | 7 | .318 | 1 | 3 | |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 140.1 | 7 | 7 | 3.27 | 52 | |
| 20 | 124.1 | 10 | 5 | 3.18 | 41 | |
| 18 | 97 | 2 | 5 | 3.99 | 34 | |
| 11 | 55.1 | 6 | 1 | 3.74 | 19 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 79.1 | 6 | 4 | 4.08 | 36 | |
| 3 | 10.2 | 1 | 0 | 4.22 | 4 |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | 3 | 5 | 25 | 2.62 | 57 | |
| 41 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3.40 | 8 | |
| 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4.58 | 14 | |
| 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9.35 | 10 | |
| 11 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3.45 | 14 | |
| 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2.35 | 8 | |