The 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers season got off to a strong start when rookie pitcher Fernando Valenzuela pitched a shutout on opening day, starting the craze that came to be known as "Fernandomania." Fernando went on to win both the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards.
The season was divided into two halves because of a two-month long mid-season players' strike. The Dodgers won the National League West in the first half and advanced to the playoffs. They beat the Houston Astros in the NLDS and the Montreal Expos in the NLCS before beating the New York Yankees to win the World Series.
Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; ERA = Earned run average; W/L = Wins/Losses; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts; CG = Complete games
Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; IP = Innings pitched; ERA = Earned run average; W/L = Wins/Losses; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts; SV = Saves
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; Avg. = Batting average; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases
In the divisional series, the Dodgers fell behind the Houston Astros two games to zero but came back to win the next three games to take the series and advance to the LCS.
October 6, The Astrodome, Houston, Texas
October 7, The Astrodome, Houston, Texas
October 9, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
October 10, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
October 11, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
The Dodgers faced the Montreal Expos in the 1981 NLCS and beat them three games to two, thanks to a ninth-inning home run by Rick Monday in Game 5.
October 13, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
October 14, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
October 16, Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec
October 17, Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec
October 19, Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec
The Dodgers met the New York Yankees in the World Series once again, this time beating them in six games to claim their first championship since 1965.
October 20, Yankee Stadium, New York
October 21, Yankee Stadium, New York
October 23, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
October 24, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
October 25, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
October 28, Yankee Stadium, New York
Teams in BOLD won League Championships
The Dodgers drafted 33 players in the June draft and 18 in the January draft. Of those, eight players would eventually play in the Major Leagues. They received an extra pick in the 2nd round from the Houston Astros as compensation for the loss of free agent pitcher Don Sutton.
The Dodgers first round pick in the June draft was shortstop Dave Anderson from the University of Memphis. He played 10 seasons in the Majors (8 of them with the Dodgers), primarily as a utility infielder. The draft also included pitchers Sid Fernandez (round 3) and John Franco (round 5), both of whom would have lengthy Major League careers primarily with the New York Mets after the Dodgers traded them.