1981 Montreal Expos season

1981 Montreal Expos
National League East Champions
League	National League
Division	East
Ballpark	Olympic Stadium
City	Montreal
Record	1st half: 30–25 (.545) 2nd half: 30–23 (.566) Overall: 60–48 (.556)
Divisional place	1st half: 3rd 2nd half: 1st Overall: 2nd
Owners	Charles Bronfman
General managers	John McHale
Managers	Dick Williams, Jim Fanning
Television	CBC Television (Dave Van Horne, Duke Snider) Télévision de Radio-Canada (Jean-Pierre Roy, Guy Ferron)
Radio	CFCF (English) (Dave Van Horne, Duke Snider, Ron Reusch) CKAC (French) (Claude Raymond, Jacques Doucet)
Seasons

The 1981 Montreal Expos season was the 13th season in franchise history. They made it to the postseason for the first time in franchise history (the franchise's next appearance in the playoffs was in 2012, as the Washington Nationals). Their playoff run ended in the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Rick Monday hitting a ninth-inning solo home run in game 5, subsequently referred to as "Blue Monday" by Expos fans. This was the closest the Expos ever got to a World Series appearance while in Montreal. This was also their last time winning a playoff series until 2019, which they won the Wild Card game. In addition, their 31-year playoff drought after this season is currently the longest in the Divisional era.

The season was separated into two halves due to the 1981 Major League Baseball strike.

Offseason

• December 8, 1980: Jack O'Connor was drafted from the Expos by the Minnesota Twins in the rule 5 draft.
• December 12, 1980: Tony Bernazard was traded by the Expos to the Chicago White Sox for Rich Wortham.
• December 12, 1980: Willie Montañez was signed as a free agent by the Expos.
• January 15, 1981: Ken Macha was purchased from the Expos by the Toronto Blue Jays.
• February 18, 1981: Ray Burris was signed as a free agent by the Expos.

Spring training

After holding spring training at City Island Ball Park in Daytona Beach, Florida, from 1973 to 1980, the Expos returned to West Palm Beach Municipal Stadium in West Palm Beach, Florida – a facility they shared with the Atlanta Braves – for spring training in 1981. It was their fifth season at the stadium; they also had conducted spring training there from 1969 to 1972. The Expos would train at Municipal Stadium through 1997.

Regular season

• April 29, 1981: Steve Carlton struck out Tim Wallach for the 3000th strikeout of his career.
• May 10, 1981: Charlie Lea pitched a no-hitter against the San Francisco Giants, defeating them 4–0 at Olympic Stadium. The last out was recorded by Andre Dawson 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.

Game log

First half

1981 Regular Season Game Log First Half (30–25) (Home: 21–7; Road: 9–18)
April (12–4) (Home: 8–0; Road: 4–4) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Report 1 April 9 @ Pirates 6–5 Fryman (1–0) Tekulve (0–1) 40,332 1–0 Boxscore 2 April 12 @ Pirates 2–3 Rhoden (1–0) Burris (0–1) Romo (1) 8,430 1–1 Boxscore 3 April 15 Cubs 5–4 Bahnsen (1–0) Tidrow (1–1) 30,003 2–1 Boxscore 4 April 16 Cubs 7–0 Sanderson (1–0) McGlothen (0–1) 11,602 3–1 Boxscore 5 April 18 @ Mets 5–3 Gullickson (1–0) Jones (0–1) Bahnsen (1) 23,710 4–1 Boxscore 6 April 19 @ Mets 4–3 Burris (1–1) Swan (0–1) Fryman (1) N/A 5–1 Boxscore 7 April 19 @ Mets 2–7 Zachry (3–0) Lea (0–1) 21,464 5–2 Boxscore 8 April 20 Phillies 9–8 Rogers (1–0) McGraw (1–1) Fryman (2) 24,817 6–2 Boxscore 9 April 21 Phillies 10–3 Sanderson (2–0) Ruthven (2–1) 10,887 7–2 Boxscore 10 April 22 Phillies 4–3 (11 inn.) Sosa (1–0) McGraw (1–2) 14,176 8–2 Boxscore April 24 Mets Postponed (rain); rescheduled for April 26 11 April 25 Mets 4–2 Rogers (2–0) Jones (0–2) Lee (1) 18,150 9–2 Boxscore 12 April 26 Mets 8–4 Burris (2–1) Zachry (3–1) N/A 10–2 Boxscore 13 April 26 Mets 7–6 Sanderson (3–0) Swan (0–2) Fryman (3) 41,697 11–2 Boxscore 14 April 27 @ Phillies 1–3 Ruthven (3–1) Gullickson (1–1) 27,347 11–3 Boxscore 15 April 28 @ Phillies 6–3 Ratzer (1–0) Christenson (1–2) Sosa (1) 26,192 12–3 Boxscore 16 April 29 @ Phillies 2–6 Carlton (4–0) Rogers (2–1) 30,142 12–4 Boxscore
May (14–15) (Home: 10–7; Road: 4–8) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Report 17 May 1 Dodgers 9–8 (13 inn.) Lee (1–0) Castillo (0–2) 28,179 13–4 Boxscore 18 May 2 Dodgers 0–4 Reuss (2–1) Sanderson (3–1) 22,820 13–5 Boxscore 19 May 3 Dodgers 1–6 (10 inn.) Valenzuela (6–0) Gullickson (1–2) 46,405 13–6 Boxscore 20 May 4 Dodgers 4–3 Rogers (3–1) Sutcliffe (2–2) Sosa (2) 21,527 14–6 Boxscore 21 May 5 Padres 4–3 Fryman (2–0) 15,909 15–6 Boxscore 22 May 6 Padres 5–13 Burris (2–2) 13,066 15–7 Boxscore 23 May 7 Padres 2–1 Sanderson (4–1) 12,248 16–7 Boxscore 24 May 8 Giants 3–4 Gullickson (1–3) 21,850 16–8 Boxscore 25 May 9 Giants 2–8 Rogers (3–2) 48,149 16–9 Boxscore 26 May 10 Giants 1–5 Lee (1–1) N/A 16–10 Boxscore 27 May 10 Giants 4–0 Lea (1–1) 25,343 17–10 Boxscore 28 May 12 @ Dodgers 0–5 Hooton (5–0) Burris (2–3) Howe (4) 34,367 17–11 Boxscore 29 May 13 @ Dodgers 6–8 Howe (2–1) Fryman (2–1) 42,712 17–12 Boxscore 30 May 14 @ Dodgers 2–3 Valenzuela (8–0) Ratzer (1–1) 53,906 17–13 Boxscore 31 May 15 @ Giants 2–4 Rogers (3–3) 19,763 17–14 Boxscore 32 May 16 @ Giants 5–0 Lea (2–1) 11,133 18–14 Boxscore 33 May 17 @ Giants 4–5 (12 inn.) Lee (1–2) 27,975 18–15 Boxscore 34 May 18 @ Padres 3–2 (10 inn.) Fryman (3–1) Lee (2) 13,283 19–15 Boxscore 35 May 19 @ Padres 1–3 Gullickson (1–4) 6,871 19–16 Boxscore 36 May 20 @ Padres 6–2 Rogers (4–3) 9,336 20–16 Boxscore 37 May 22 @ Cubs 6–3 Lea (3–1) Krukow (1–5) 6,071 21–16 Boxscore 38 May 23 @ Cubs 4–6 Reuschel (2–5) Burris (2–4) Tidrow (2) 15,981 21–17 Boxscore 39 May 24 @ Cubs 2–6 Caudill (1–3) Sanderson (4–2) Tidrow (3) 10,821 21–18 Boxscore 40 May 25 Cardinals 5–3 Gullickson (2–4) Lee (3) 24,490 22–18 Boxscore 41 May 26 Cardinals 4–3 Rogers (5–3) Sosa (3) 27,775 23–18 Boxscore 42 May 27 Cardinals 4–1 Lea (4–1) Lee (4) 24,709 24–18 Boxscore 43 May 29 Pirates 3–2 Sanderson (5–2) Bibby (3–3) Lee (5) 36,662 25–18 Boxscore 44 May 30 Pirates 2–3 Rhoden (6–0) Gullickson (2–5) 31,649 25–19 Boxscore 45 May 31 Pirates 5–1 Rogers (6–3) Pérez (2–1) 45,783 26–19 Boxscore
June (4–6) (Home: 3–0; Road: 1–6) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Report 46 June 1 @ Cardinals 2–4 Lea (4–2) 14,224 26–20 Boxscore 47 June 2 @ Cardinals 8–1 Burris (3–4) 14,697 27–20 Boxscore 48 June 3 @ Cardinals 2–3 (11 inn.) Sosa (1–1) 13,085 27–21 Boxscore 49 June 4 @ Cardinals 1–4 Gullickson (2–6) 18,958 27–22 Boxscore 50 June 5 @ Reds 3–6 Rogers (6–4) 27–23 Boxscore 51 June 6 @ Reds 3–9 Lea (4–3) 27–24 Boxscore 52 June 7 @ Reds 0–2 Burris (3–5) 27–25 Boxscore 53 June 9 Braves 12–1 Sanderson (6–2) 28–25 Boxscore 54 June 10 Braves 11–2 Gullickson (3–6) 29–25 Boxscore 55 June 11 Braves 7–0 Rogers (7–4) 30–25 Boxscore

Games cancelled

1981 Games cancelled
April # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Report April 11 @ Pirates Cancelled (strike) April 14 Cubs Cancelled (strike)
June # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Report June 12 Reds Cancelled (strike) June 13 Reds Cancelled (strike) June 14 Reds Cancelled (strike) June 15 Astros Cancelled (strike) June 16 Astros Cancelled (strike) June 17 @ Braves Cancelled (strike) June 18 @ Braves Cancelled (strike) June 19 @ Astros Cancelled (strike) June 20 @ Astros Cancelled (strike) June 21 @ Astros Cancelled (strike) June 23 Mets Cancelled (strike) June 24 Mets Cancelled (strike) June 25 Mets Cancelled (strike) June 26 Cubs Cancelled (strike) June 27 Cubs Cancelled (strike) June 28 Cubs Cancelled (strike) June 29 @ Pirates Cancelled (strike) June 30 @ Pirates Cancelled (strike)
July # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Report July 1 Pirates Cancelled (strike) July 2 Pirates Cancelled (strike) July 3 @ Phillies Cancelled (strike) July 4 @ Phillies Cancelled (strike) July 5 @ Phillies Cancelled (strike) July 7 @ Cubs Cancelled (strike) July 8 @ Cubs Cancelled (strike) July 9 @ Cubs Cancelled (strike) July 10 @ Cardinals Cancelled (strike) July 11 @ Cardinals Cancelled (strike) July 12 @ Cardinals Cancelled (strike) July 16 Dodgers Cancelled (strike) July 17 Dodgers Cancelled (strike) July 18 Padres Cancelled (strike) July 19 Padres Cancelled (strike) July 20 Padres Cancelled (strike) July 21 Giants Cancelled (strike) July 22 Giants Cancelled (strike) July 24 @ Dodgers Cancelled (strike) July 25 @ Dodgers Cancelled (strike) July 26 @ Dodgers Cancelled (strike) July 28 @ Giants Cancelled (strike) July 29 @ Giants Cancelled (strike) July 30 @ Giants Cancelled (strike) July 31 @ Padres Cancelled (strike)
August # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Report August 1 @ Padres Cancelled (strike) August 2 @ Padres Cancelled (strike) August 4 @ Mets Cancelled (strike) August 5 @ Mets Cancelled (strike) August 6 @ Mets Cancelled (strike) August 7 Phillies Cancelled (strike) August 8 Phillies Cancelled (strike) August 9 Phillies Cancelled (strike) August 9 Phillies Cancelled (strike)

Second half

1981 Regular Season Game Log Second Half (30–23) (Home: 17–11; Road: 13–12)
August (11–8) (Home: 6–3; Road: 5–5) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Report All-Star Break: NL def. AL at Cleveland Stadium, 5–4 56 August 10 Pirates 3–1 Lee (2–2) Pérez (2–3) 37,275 31–25 Boxscore 57 August 11 Pirates 3–6 Tekulve (3–3) Fryman (3–2) 33,045 31–26 Boxscore 58 August 12 @ Pirates 3–2 Burris (4–5) Solomon (5–4) Lee (6) 12,069 32–26 Boxscore 59 August 13 @ Pirates 7–2 Rogers (8–4) Tiant (0–1) 11,735 33–26 Boxscore 60 August 14 Cardinals 1–3 Sanderson (6–3) 40,187 33–27 Boxscore August 15 Cardinals Postponed (rain); rescheduled for September 15 August 16 Cardinals Postponed (rain); rescheduled for September 16 61 August 17 @ Astros 6–2 Burris (5–5) Fryman (4) 34–27 Boxscore 62 August 18 @ Astros 2–4 Rogers (8–5) 34–28 Boxscore 63 August 19 @ Astros 1–9 Sanderson (6–4) 34–29 Boxscore 64 August 21 @ Braves 4–1 (11 inn.) Fryman (4–2) 35–29 Boxscore 65 August 22 @ Braves 5–4 Bahnsen (2–0) Reardon (1) 36–29 Boxscore 66 August 22 @ Braves 1–9 Lea (4–4) 36–30 Boxscore 67 August 23 @ Braves 1–2 Rogers (8–6) 36–31 Boxscore 68 August 25 Reds 9–1 Sanderson (7–4) 37–31 Boxscore 69 August 26 Reds 6–0 Gullickson (4–6) 38–31 Boxscore 70 August 27 Reds 12–0 Burris (6–5) 39–31 Boxscore 71 August 28 Braves 3–0 Rogers (9–6) 40–31 Boxscore 72 August 29 Braves 4–3 Reardon (1–0) 41–31 Boxscore 73 August 30 Braves 4–5 (12 inn.) Lee (2–3) 41–32 Boxscore 74 August 31 @ Reds 8–9 Lee (2–4) 41–33 Boxscore
September (16–14) (Home: 11–8; Road: 5–6) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Report 75 September 1 @ Reds 4–3 Lea (5–4) Reardon (2) 42–33 Boxscore 76 September 2 @ Reds 0–7 Bahnsen (2–1) 42–34 Boxscore 77 September 3 Astros 1–2 Sanderson (7–5) 42–35 Boxscore 78 September 4 Astros 0–5 Gullickson (4–7) 42–36 Boxscore 79 September 5 Astros 5–2 Burris (7–5) 43–36 Boxscore 80 September 6 Astros 3–4 (12 inn.) Sosa (1–2) 43–37 Boxscore 81 September 7 @ Phillies 5–4 Fryman (5–2) Proly (2–1) Reardon (3) 31,401 45–36 Boxscore 82 September 8 @ Phillies 5–10 Larson (1–0) Sanderson (7–6) 11,812 45–37 Boxscore 83 September 9 @ Phillies 8–11 Reed (4–1) Fryman (5–3) Lyle (1) 25,468 45–38 Boxscore 84 September 11 @ Cubs 5–6 Griffin (2–2) Burris (7–6) Hernández (2) 7,204 45–39 Boxscore 85 September 12 @ Cubs 2–0 Rogers (10–6) Bird (4–3) Reardon (4) 18,124 45–40 Boxscore 86 September 13 @ Cubs 10–6 Sanderson (8–6) Krukow (6–9) 14,589 46–40 Boxscore 87 September 15 Cardinals 2–3 Gullickson (3–8) N/A 46–41 Boxscore 88 September 15 Cardinals 4–3 Lee (3–4) Fryman (5) 41,671 47–41 Boxscore 89 September 16 Cardinals 1–7 Burris (7–7) N/A 47–42 Boxscore 90 September 16 Cardinals 4–3 (11 inn.) Reardon (2–0) 30,222 48–42 Boxscore 91 September 17 Cardinals 4–7 Rogers (10–7) 26,390 48–43 Boxscore 92 September 18 Cubs 11–0 Sanderson (9–6) Bird (4–4) 23,606 49–43 Boxscore 93 September 19 Cubs 1–2 Krukow (7–9) Lee (3–5) Martz (4) 30,099 49–44 Boxscore 94 September 20 Cubs 4–0 Gullickson (4–8) Griffin (2–4) 40,851 50–44 Boxscore 95 September 21 Phillies 1–0 (17 inn.) Smith (1–0) Reed (0–1) 24,161 51–44 Boxscore 96 September 22 Phillies 6–2 Rogers (11–7) Ruthven (11–6) 21,797 52–44 Boxscore 97 September 23 Pirates 3–2 Jackson (2–2) Rhoden (8–4) 10,081 53–44 Boxscore 98 September 24 Pirates 7–1 Lee (4–5) Jones (4–4) 23,459 54–44 Boxscore 99 September 25 Mets 6–3 Gullickson (5–8) Zachry (7–13) 41,354 55–44 Boxscore 100 September 26 Mets 4–2 Burris (8–7) Harris (3–5) Fryman (6) 38,821 56–44 Boxscore 101 September 27 Mets 1–2 Scott (5–10) Rogers (11–8) Allen (18) 52,089 56–45 Boxscore 102 September 28 @ Cardinals 2–6 Sanderson (9–7) 21,216 56–46 Boxscore 103 September 29 @ Cardinals 4–8 Lee (4–6) 40,488 56–47 Boxscore 104 September 30 @ Pirates 3–2 Gullickson (6–8) Solomon (8–6) Fryman (7) 5,826 57–47 Boxscore
October (3–1) (Road: 3–1) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Report 105 October 1 @ Pirates 5–2 Burris (9–7) Tiant (2–5) Reardon (5) 2,931 58–47 Boxscore 106 October 2 @ Mets 3–0 Rogers (12–8) Zachry (7–14) 6,720 59–47 Boxscore 107 October 3 @ Mets 5–4 Lee (5–6) Allen (7–6) Reardon (6) 17,954 60–47 Boxscore 108 October 4 @ Mets 1–2 Falcone (5–3) Gullickson (6–9) 7,618 60–48 Boxscore

Legend
Expos win	Expos loss	All-Star Game	Game postponed

Season standings

NL East

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
St. Louis Cardinals	59	43	.578	—	32‍–‍21	27‍–‍22
Montreal Expos	60	48	.556	2	38‍–‍18	22‍–‍30
Philadelphia Phillies	59	48	.551	2½	36‍–‍19	23‍–‍29
Pittsburgh Pirates	46	56	.451	13	22‍–‍28	24‍–‍28
New York Mets	41	62	.398	18½	24‍–‍27	17‍–‍35
Chicago Cubs	38	65	.369	21½	27‍–‍30	11‍–‍35

NL East First Half Standings	W	L	Pct.	GB
Philadelphia Phillies	34	21	.618	—
St. Louis Cardinals	30	20	.600	1 1⁄2
Montreal Expos	30	25	.545	4
Pittsburgh Pirates	25	23	.521	5 1⁄2
New York Mets	17	34	.333	15
Chicago Cubs	15	37	.288	17 1⁄2

NL East Second Half Standings	W	L	Pct.	GB
Montreal Expos	30	23	.566	—
St. Louis Cardinals	29	23	.558	1⁄2
Philadelphia Phillies	25	27	.481	4 1⁄2
New York Mets	24	28	.462	5 1⁄2
Chicago Cubs	23	28	.451	6
Pittsburgh Pirates	21	33	.389	9 1⁄2

Record vs. opponents

1981 National League record Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]
Team	ATL	CHC	CIN	HOU	LAD	MON	NYM	PHI	PIT	SD	SF	STL
Atlanta	—	3–2–1	6–5	4–8	7–7	3–7	3–3	4–5	2–3	9–6	5–7	4–3
Chicago	2–3–1	—	1–5	1–6	6–4	4–7	5–8–1	2–10	4–10	3–3	5–5	5–4–1
Cincinnati	5–6	5–1	—	8–4	8–8	5–4	7–3	5–2	4–2	10–2	9–5	0–5
Houston	8–4	6–1	4–8	—	4–8	5–2	6–3	4–6	2–4	11–3	9–6	2–4
Los Angeles	7–7	4–6	8–8	8–4	—	5–2	5–1	3–3	5–1	6–5	7–5	5–5
Montreal	7–3	7–4	4–5	2–5	2–5	—	9–3	7–4	10–3	4–2	2–5	6–9
New York	3–3	8–5–1	3–7	3–6	1–5	3–9	—	7–7	3–6–1	2–5	2–4	6–5
Philadelphia	5-4	10–2	2–5	6–4	3–3	4–7	7–7	—	7–5	4–2	4–3	7–6
Pittsburgh	3–2	10–4	2–4	4–2	1–5	3–10	6–3–1	5–7	—	6–4	3–7	3–8
San Diego	6–9	3–3	2–10	3–11	5–6	2–4	5–2	2–4	4–6	—	6–7	3–7
San Francisco	7–5	5–5	5–9	6–9	5–7	5–2	4–2	3–4	7–3	7–6	—	2–3
St. Louis	3–4	4–5–1	5–0	4–2	5–5	9–6	5–6	6–7	8–3	7–3	3–2	—

Notable transactions

• April 1, 1981: John Tamargo was released by the Expos.
• May 29, 1981: Ellis Valentine was traded by the Expos to the New York Mets for Jeff Reardon and Dan Norman.
• June 8, 1981: 1981 Major League Baseball draft
  • Mike Fuentes was drafted by the Expos in the 2nd round.
  • Mark McGwire was drafted by the Expos in the 8th round.
  • Marvin Freeman was drafted by the Expos in the 9th round, but did not sign.
  • Al Newman was drafted by the Expos in the 1st round (12th pick) of the Secondary Phase.
• August 20, 1981: Willie Montañez was traded by the Expos to the Pittsburgh Pirates for John Milner.

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 Carter
• Warren Cromartie
• Andre Dawson
• Larry Parrish
• Tim Raines
• Steve Rogers
• Rodney Scott
• Chris Speier
• Ellis Valentine

Roster

1981 Montreal Expos
Roster
Pitchers 22 Stan Bahnsen 48 Ray Burris 51 Rick Engle 35 Woodie Fryman 32 Tom Gorman 34 Bill Gullickson 19 Grant Jackson 53 Charlie Lea 37 Bill Lee 47 Steve Ratzer 31 Jeff Reardon 45 Steve Rogers 21 Scott Sanderson 66 Bryn Smith 27 Elías Sosa		Catchers  8 Gary Carter 44 Bobby Ramos 50 Tom Wieghaus Infielders 33 Dan Briggs 49 Warren Cromartie 19 Mike Gates 55 Dave Hostetler 14 Tommy Hutton 62 Wallace Johnson 43 Jerry Manuel  2 Brad Mills  5 John Milner  5 Willie Montañez 15 Larry Parrish 12 Mike Phillips  3 Rodney Scott  6 Chris Smith  4 Chris Speier		Outfielders 10 Andre Dawson 16 Terry Francona 42 Tony Johnson 25 Rowland Office 24 Bob Pate 30 Tim Raines 56 Pat Rooney 17 Ellis Valentine 29 Tim Wallach 18 Jerry White		Manager  6 Jim Fanning 23 Dick Williams Coaches 41 Steve Boros (Bench) 39 Pat Mullin (Hitting)  9 Vern Rapp (First Base) 40 Norm Sherry (Bullpen)  1 Ozzie Virgil (Third Base)

Player stats

Batting

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	Gary Carter	100	374	94	.251	16	68
1B	Warren Cromartie	99	358	109	.304	6	42
2B	Rodney Scott	95	336	69	.205	0	26
3B	Larry Parrish	128	440	116	.264	17	62
SS	Chris Speier	96	307	69	.225	2	25
LF	Tim Raines	88	313	95	.304	5	37
CF	Andre Dawson	103	394	119	.302	24	64
RF	Tim Wallach	71	212	50	.236	4	13

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
Jerry White	59	119	26	.218	3	11
Terry Francona	34	95	26	.274	1	8
John Milner	31	76	18	.237	3	9
Ellis Valentine	22	76	16	.211	3	15
Willie Montañez	26	62	11	.177	0	5
Jerry Manuel	27	55	11	.200	3	10
Mike Phillips	34	55	12	.218	0	4
Bobby Ramos	26	41	8	.195	1	3
Rowland Office	26	40	7	.175	0	0
Tommy Hutton	31	29	3	.103	0	2
Brad Mills	17	21	5	.238	0	1
Dan Briggs	9	11	1	.091	0	0
Wallace Johnson	11	9	2	.222	0	3
Chris Smith	7	7	0	.000	0	0
Bob Pate	8	6	2	.333	0	0
Dave Hostetler	5	6	3	.500	1	1
Pat Rooney	4	5	0	.000	0	0
Mike Gates	1	2	1	.500	0	1
Tony Johnson	2	1	0	.000	0	0
Tom Wieghaus	1	1	0	.000	0	0

Pitching

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
Steve Rogers	22	160.2	12	8	3.42	87
Bill Gullickson	22	157.1	7	9	2.80	115
Scott Sanderson	22	137.1	9	7	2.95	77
Ray Burris	22	135.2	9	7	3.05	52

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
Bill Lee	31	88.2	5	6	2.94	34
Charlie Lea	16	64.1	5	4	4.62	31

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	SV	ERA	SO
Woodie Fryman	35	43.0	5	3	7	1.88	25
Jeff Reardon	25	41.2	2	0	6	1.30	21
Elías Sosa	32	39.1	1	2	3	3.66	18
Stan Bahnsen	25	49.0	2	1	1	4.96	28
Steve Ratzer	12	17.1	1	1	0	6.23	4
Tom Gorman	9	15.0	0	0	0	4.20	13
Bryn Smith	7	13.0	1	0	0	2.77	9
Grant Jackson	10	10.2	1	0	0	7.59	4
Rick Engle	1	2.0	0	0	0	18.00	2

Postseason

Game log

1981 Playoff Game Log
1981 National League Eastern Division Series vs. Philadelphia Phillies – Montreal wins series 3–2 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Series Report Game 1 October 7 Phillies 3–1 Rogers (1–0) Carlton (0–1) Reardon (1) 34,237 Expos lead 1–0 Boxscore Game 2 October 8 Phillies 3–1 Gullickson (1–0) Ruthven (0–1) Reardon (2) 45,896 Expos lead 2–0 Boxscore Game 3 October 9 @ Phillies 2–6 Christenson (1–0) Burris (0–1) 36,835 Expos lead 2–1 Boxscore Game 4 October 10 @ Phillies 5–6 (10 inn.) McGraw (1–0) Reardon (0–1) 38,818 Series tied 2–2 Boxscore Game 5 October 11 @ Phillies 3–0 Rogers (2–0) Carlton (0–2) 47,384 Expos win 3–2 Boxscore
1981 National League Championship Series vs. Los Angeles Dodgers – Los Angeles wins series 3–2 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Series Report Game 1 October 13 @ Dodgers 1–5 Hooton (1–0) Gullickson (0–1) 51,273 Dodgers lead 1–0 Boxscore Game 2 October 14 @ Dodgers 3–0 Burris (1–0) Valenzuela (0–1) 53,463 Series tied 1–1 Boxscore Game 3 October 16 Dodgers 4–1 Rogers (1–0) Reuss (0–1) 54,372 Expos lead 2–1 Boxscore Game 4 October 17 Dodgers 1–7 Hooton (2–0) Gullickson (0–2) 54,499 Series tied 2–2 Boxscore October 18 Dodgers Postponed (rain); rescheduled for October 19 Game 5 October 19 Dodgers 1–2 Valenzuela (1–1) Rogers (1–1) Welch (1) 36,491 Dodgers win 3–2 Boxscore

Legend
Expos win	Expos loss	Game postponed

National League Division Series

Main article: 1981 National League Division Series

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 Carlton 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 Parrish and Chris Speier 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.

National League Championship Series

Main article: 1981 National League Championship Series

Game 1

October 13, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

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
WP: Burt Hooton (1-0)   LP: Bill Gullickson (0-1) Home runs: MON: None LAD: Pedro Guerrero (1), Mike Scioscia (1) Attendance: 51,273 Notes: Pitchers: MON – Gullickson, Reardon (8)  LAD – Hooton, Welch (8), Howe (9)

Game 2

October 14, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

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
WP: Ray Burris (1-0)   LP: Fernando Valenzuela (0-1) Home runs: MON: None LAD: None Attendance: 53,463 Notes: Pitchers: MON – Burris  LAD – Valenzuela, Niedenfuer (7), Forster (7), Pena (7), Castillo (9)

Game 3

October 16, Olympic Stadium, 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
WP: Steve Rogers (1-0)   LP: Jerry Reuss (0-1) Home runs: LAD: None MON: Jerry White (1) Attendance: 54,372 Notes: Pitchers: LAD – Reuss, Pena (8)  MON – Rogers

Game 4

October 17, Olympic Stadium, 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
WP: Burt Hooton (2-0)   LP: Bill Gullickson (0-2) Home runs: LAD: Steve Garvey (1) MON: None Attendance: Attendance: 54,499 Notes: Pitchers: LAD – Hooton, Welch (8), Howe (9)  MON – Gullickson, Fryman (8), Sosa (9), Lee (9)

Game 5

October 19, Olympic Stadium, 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
WP: Fernando Valenzuela (1-1)   LP: Steve Rogers (1-1)   Sv: Bob Welch (1) Home runs: LAD: Rick Monday (1) MON: None Attendance: Attendance: 36,491 Notes: Pitchers: LAD – Valenzuela, Welch (9)  MON – Burris, Rogers (9)

• 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 Raines opened the bottom of the first with a double against Cy Young Award-winning rookie sensation Fernando Valenzuela and scored on an Andre Dawson 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 Burris. The teams remained tied until the top of the ninth, when Expo manager Jim Fanning made a risky decision to relieve Burris with Game 3 winner Steve Rogers. Struggling closer Jeff Reardon was throwing alongside Rogers in the bullpen at the time, but Fanning elected to summon his ace. Rogers retired Steve Garvey and Ron Cey in order, but outfielder Rick Monday homered to put Los Angeles ahead, 2–1, and crush the Expos' hopes of advancing to the World Series. Two-out walks from Gary Carter and Larry Parrish were all that the Expos could muster in the 9th, as Bob Welch preserved the one-run Dodger victory. The Expos lost the NLCS, 3–2, and never returned to the postseason again until 2012 as the Washington Nationals.

Awards and honors

• Gary Carter, All-Star Game MVP
• Gary Carter, Gold Glove Award, Catcher
• Andre Dawson, Gold Glove Award, Outfield
• Charlie Lea, Pitcher of the Month Award, May
• Tim Raines, OF, The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award
• Tim Raines, National League Leader, 71 Stolen Bases

52nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game

All-Star Game

• Gary Carter, National League catcher, starter
• Andre Dawson, National League outfield, starter
• Tim Raines, National League outfield, reserve
• Dick Williams, National League coach

Farm system

See also: Minor League Baseball

Level	Team	League	Manager
AAA	Denver Bears	American Association	Felipe Alou
AA	Memphis Chicks	Southern League	Larry Bearnarth
A	West Palm Beach Expos	Florida State League	Bob Bailey
A-Short Season	Jamestown Expos	New York–Penn League	Pat Daugherty
Rookie	Calgary Expos	Pioneer League	J. R. Miner

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Denver

Further reading

• Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (1997). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (2nd ed.). Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America. ISBN 978-0-9637189-8-3.

External links

• 1981 Montreal Expos team at Baseball-Reference
• 1981 Montreal Expos team at baseball-almanac.com