1981 Pittsburgh Pirates season explained

Pittsburgh Pirates
Season:	1981
League:	National League
Division:	East
Ballpark:	Three Rivers Stadium
City:	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania^[1]
Record:	First half: 25–23 (.521) Second half: 21–33 (.389)
Divisional Place:	First half: 4th Second half: 6th
Owners:	John W. Galbreath (majority shareholder); Thomas P. Johnson (minority shareholder)
General Managers:	Harding "Pete" Peterson
Managers:	Chuck Tanner
Television:	KDKA-TV Lanny Frattare, Jim Rooker, John Sanders Action-TV Bob Prince, Ray Scott
Radio:	KDKA Lanny Frattare, Jim Rooker

The 1981 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 100th season of the Pittsburgh Pirates franchise; their 95th in the National League. The Pirates finished fourth in the National League East in the first half of the season with a record of 25–23 and sixth in the second half with a record of 21–33.

Regular season

Officials of the Louisiana Superdome met with Pirates management in April 1981 about moving the club to New Orleans when the Pirates were unhappy with their lease at Three Rivers Stadium.^[2]

Game log

|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 1 || April 9 || Expos || 5–6 || Fryman || Tekulve (0–1) || — || 40,332 || 0–1|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 2 || April 12 || Expos || 3–2 || Rhoden (1–0) || Burris || Romo (1) || 8,430 || 1–1|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 3 || April 13 || @ Phillies || 1–5 || Carlton || Candelaria (0–1) || — || 60,404 || 1–2|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 4 || April 15 || @ Phillies || 3–4 (11) || McGraw || Romo (0–1) || — || 27,450 || 1–3|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 5 || April 16 || @ Phillies || 3–5 || Ruthven || Robinson (0–1) || McGraw || 26,780 || 1–4|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 6 || April 17 || @ Astros || 4–3 || Rhoden (2–0) || Sutton || Romo (2) || 39,119 || 2–4|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 7 || April 18 || @ Astros || 6–3 (11) || Jackson (1–0) || Smith || — || 29,790 || 3–4|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 8 || April 19 || @ Astros || 2–0 || Scurry (1–0) || Niekro || Solomon (1) || 30,394 || 4–4|- bgcolor="ffffff"| 9 || April 22 || Mets || 2–2 || || || — || 7,530 || 4–4|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 10 || April 25 || Cardinals || 1–5 || Shirley || Candelaria (0–2) || — || 7,334 || 4–5|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 11 || April 26 || Cardinals || 2–3 || Kaat || Jackson (1–1) || Sutter || 8,139 || 4–6|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 12 || April 28 || @ Mets || 8–0 || Rhoden (3–0) || Scott || — || 6,973 || 5–6|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 13 || April 29 || @ Mets || 10–0 || Bibby (1–0) || Roberts || — || 7,175 || 6–6|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 14 || April 30 || @ Mets || 7–4 || Candelaria (1–2) || Jones || Jackson (1) || 5,553 || 7–6|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 15 || May 1 || Astros || 3–5 || Sambito || Solomon (0–1) || — || 7,012 || 7–7|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 16 || May 2 || Astros || 5–4 (12) || Solomon (1–1) || Smith || — || 21,993 || 8–7|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 17 || May 3 || Astros || 1–3 || Sutton || Bibby (1–1) || Smith || 10,438 || 8–8|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 18 || May 6 || @ Reds || 8–9 || Hume || Jackson (1–2) || — || 14,551 || 8–9|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 19 || May 7 || @ Reds || 3–1 || Rhoden (4–0) || Soto || Romo (3) || || 9–9|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 20 || May 7 || @ Reds || 7–1 || Solomon (2–1) || LaCoss || — || 20,301 || 10–9|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 21 || May 8 || @ Cardinals || 4–5 || Shirley || Bibby (1–2) || Kaat || 20,108 || 10–10|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 22 || May 9 || @ Cardinals || 0–13 || Rincon || Scurry (1–1) || — || 21,361 || 10–11|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 23 || May 10 || @ Cardinals || 8–2 || Candelaria (2–2) || Sorensen || Romo (4) || 11,112 || 11–11|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 24 || May 11 || @ Braves || 2–3 (10) || Mahler || Tekulve (0–2) || — || 4,260 || 11–12|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 25 || May 12 || @ Braves || 0–2 || Niekro || Solomon (2–2) || — || 9,711 || 11–13|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 26 || May 13 || @ Braves || 7–5 (13) || Cruz (1–0) || Boggs || Scurry (1) || 10,638 || 12–13|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 27 || May 15 || Reds || 1–4 || Price || Romo (0–2) || Hume || 10,592 || 12–14|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 28 || May 16 || Reds || 0–4 || LaCoss || Scurry (1–2) || — || 11,890 || 12–15|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 29 || May 17 || Reds || 3–4 || Soto || Solomon (2–3) || — || 11,775 || 12–16|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 30 || May 19 || Braves || 5–0 || Bibby (2–2) || Niekro || — || 5,514 || 13–16|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 31 || May 20 || Braves || 6–1 || Rhoden (5–0) || Walk || Romo (5) || 8,351 || 14–16|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 32 || May 22 || Phillies || 3–1 || Perez (1–0) || Christenson || — || 20,695 || 15–16|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 33 || May 23 || Phillies || 4–6 || Proly || Tekulve (0–3) || Reed || 20,340 || 15–17|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 34 || May 24 || Phillies || 7–1 || Bibby (3–2) || Bystrom || Cruz (1) || 21,771 || 16–17|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 35 || May 25 || @ Cubs || 9–10 (11) || Tidrow || Cruz (1–1) || — || 18,506 || 16–18|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 36 || May 26 || @ Cubs || 6–4 || Tekulve (1–3) || Krukow || Romo (6) || 6,988 || 17–18|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 37 || May 27 || @ Cubs || 3–2 || Perez (2–0) || Reuschel || — || 6,970 || 18–18|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 38 || May 28 || @ Cubs || 9–4 || Solomon (3–3) || Caudill || — || 7,886 || 19–18|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 39 || May 29 || @ Expos || 2–3 || Sanderson || Bibby (3–3) || Lee || 36,662 || 19–19|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 40 || May 30 || @ Expos || 3–2 || Rhoden (6–0) || Gullickson || — || 31,649 || 20–19|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 41 || May 31 || @ Expos || 1–5 || Rogers || Perez (2–1) || — || 45,784 || 20–20|-|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 42 || June 2 || Cubs || 16–3 || Solomon (4–3) || Caudill || — || 6,437 || 21–20|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 43 || June 3 || Cubs || 3–2 || Bibby (4–3) || Martz || Romo (7) || 5,003 || 22–20|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 44 || June 4 || Cubs || 5–4 (10) || Tekulve (2–3) || McGlothen || — || 6,740 || 23–20|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 45 || June 5 || Giants || 3–5 || Breining || Romo (0–3) || Lavelle || 8,361 || 23–21|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 46 || June 6 || Giants || 7–6 || Scurry (2–2) || Griffin || Tekulve (1) || 11,362 || 24–21|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 47 || June 7 || Giants || 3–2 || Solomon (5–3) || Blue || Romo (8) || 32,244 || 25–21|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 48 || June 9 || Padres || 4–7 || Mura || Rhoden (6–1) || Lucas || 9,145 || 25–22|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 49 || June 10 || Padres || 2–3 || Eichelberger || Perez (2–2) || Lucas || 9,450 || 25–23|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 50 || August 10 || @ Expos || 1–3 || Lee || Perez (2–3) || — || 37,275 || 25–24|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 51 || August 11 || @ Expos || 6–3 || Tekulve (3–3) || Fryman || — || 33,045 || 26–24|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 52 || August 12 || Expos || 2–3 || Burris || Solomon (5–4) || Lee || 12,069 || 26–25|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 53 || August 13 || Expos || 2–7 || Rogers || Tiant (0–1) || — || 11,735 || 26–26|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 54 || August 15 || @ Cubs || 3–4 (15) || Martz || Scurry (2–3) || — || 15,388 || 26–27|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 55 || August 16 || @ Cubs || 4–3 (11) || Tekulve (4–3) || Smith || Jackson (2) || || 27–27|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 56 || August 16 || @ Cubs || 4–6 || Howell || Perez (2–4) || Martz || 18,991 || 27–28|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 57 || August 17 || Giants || 1–5 (11) || Minton || Scurry (2–4) || — || 7,117 || 27–29|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 58 || August 18 || Giants || 2–4 || Whitson || Tiant (0–2) || Minton || 9,362 || 27–30|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 59 || August 19 || Giants || 7–3 || Jones (1–0) || Alexander || Jackson (3) || 8,414 || 28–30|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 60 || August 21 || Padres || 4–2 || Rhoden (7–1) || Mura || Jackson (4) || || 29–30|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 61 || August 21 || Padres || 3–2 || Bibby (5–3) || Lollar || Tekulve (2) || 19,049 || 30–30|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 62 || August 22 || Padres || 6–7 || Curtis || Tekulve (4–4) || Lucas || 11,865 || 30–31|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 63 || August 23 || Padres || 5–2 || Scurry (3–4) || Welsh || Romo (9) || 23,736 || 31–31|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 64 || August 24 || Dodgers || 0–3 || Hooton || Jones (1–1) || — || 12,308 || 31–32|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 65 || August 25 || Dodgers || 7–9 (11) || Pena || Tekulve (4–5) || Niedenfuer || 16,770 || 31–33|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 66 || August 26 || Dodgers || 6–16 || Reuss || Rhoden (7–2) || — || 11,144 || 31–34|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 67 || August 27 || @ Giants || 4–5 (13) || Holland || Robinson (0–2) || — || 10,807 || 31–35|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 68 || August 28 || @ Giants || 1–5 || Whitson || Scurry (3–5) || — || 8,418 || 31–36|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 69 || August 29 || @ Giants || 3–8 || Alexander || Tiant (0–3) || — || 10,738 || 31–37|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 70 || August 30 || @ Giants || 0–5 || Griffin || Perez (2–5) || — || 18,117 || 31–38|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 71 || August 31 || @ Dodgers || 5–4 (10) || Jones (2–1) || Stewart || Robinson (1) || 35,862 || 32–38|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 72 || September 1 || @ Dodgers || 2–3 (14) || Niedenfuer || Jones (2–2) || — || 50,134 || 32–39|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 73 || September 2 || @ Dodgers || 2–6 || Welch || Long (0–1) || Pena || 32,027 || 32–40|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 74 || September 3 || @ Padres || 7–3 || Tiant (1–3) || Eichelberger || Scurry (2) || 6,153 || 33–40|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 75 || September 4 || @ Padres || 4–5 || Littlefield || Robinson (0–3) || Show || 8,128 || 33–41|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 76 || September 5 || @ Padres || 2–1 || Rhoden (8–2) || Mura || Scurry (3) || 7,297 || 34–41|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 77 || September 6 || @ Padres || 9–5 || Solomon (6–4) || Wise || Robinson (2) || 4,177 || 35–41|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 78 || September 7 || Mets || 2–1 || Jones (3–2) || Allen || Scurry (4) || || 36–41|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 79 || September 7 || Mets || 5–4 || Long (1–1) || Boitano || Lee (3) || 9,935 || 37–41|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 80 || September 8 || Mets || 1–3 || Lynch || Tiant (1–4) || Allen || 5,383 || 37–42|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 81 || September 9 || Mets || 3–5 || Leach || Perez (2–6) || Searage || 7,089 || 37–43|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 82 || September 11 || Phillies || 0–8 || Carlton || Rhoden (8–3) || — || 12,799 || 37–44|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 83 || September 12 || Phillies || 6–2 || Solomon (7–4) || Noles || Scurry (5) || 11,370 || 38–44|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 84 || September 13 || Phillies || 3–2 || Jones (4–2) || Reed || Tekulve (3) || 16,493 || 39–44|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 85 || September 15 || @ Cubs || 8–2 || Tiant (2–4) || Griffin || — || 5,254 || 40–44|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 86 || September 18 || @ Phillies || 7–6 || Scurry (4–5) || Reed || Lee (4) || 24,537 || 41–44|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 87 || September 19 || @ Phillies || 2–8 || Larson || Jones (4–3) || Christenson || 30,446 || 41–45|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 88 || September 20 || @ Phillies || 4–5 || Lyle || Solomon (7–5) || — || 31,489 || 41–46|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 89 || September 21 || @ Mets || 3–4 (13) || Boitano || Lee (0–1) || — || 7,429 || 41–47|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 90 || September 22 || @ Mets || 5–3 || Bibby (6–3) || Scott || Scurry (6) || 6,855 || 42–47|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 91 || September 23 || @ Expos || 2–3 || Jackson || Rhoden (8–4) || — || 10,081 || 42–48|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 92 || September 24 || @ Expos || 1–7 || Lee || Jones (4–4) || — || 23,459 || 42–49|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 93 || September 25 || @ Cardinals || 5–4 || Solomon (8–5) || Kaat || Scurry (7) || 15,377 || 43–49|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 94 || September 26 || @ Cardinals || 3–5 || Forsch || Lee (0–2) || Sutter || 19,761 || 43–50|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 95 || September 27 || @ Cardinals || 5–7 || LaPoint || Perez (2–7) || Sutter || 17,703 || 43–51|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 96 || September 28 || Cubs || 4–0 || Rhoden (9–4) || Griffin || — || || 44–51|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 97 || September 28 || Cubs || 1–3 || Geisel || Long (1–2) || Martz || 3,698 || 44–52|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 98 || September 29 || Cubs || 10–6 || Romo (1–3) || Tidrow || — || 3,439 || 45–52|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 99 || September 30 || Expos || 2–3 || Gullickson || Solomon (8–6) || Fryman || 5,826 || 45–53|-|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 100 || October 1 || Expos || 2–5 || Burris || Tiant (2–5) || Reardon || 2,931 || 45–54|- bgcolor="ccffcc"| 101 || October 2 || Cardinals || 8–7 || Tekulve (5–5) || Sutter || — || 2,348 || 46–54|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 102 || October 3 || Cardinals || 3–8 || Martin || Camacho (0–1) || — || 3,589 || 46–55|- bgcolor="ffbbbb"| 103 || October 4 || Cardinals || 0–4 || Shirley || Jones (4–5) || — || 10,022 || 46–56|-|-| Legend:      = Win      = Loss      = Tie
Bold = Pirates team member

Roster

1981 Pittsburgh Pirates
Roster
Pitchers		CatchersInfielders		OutfieldersOther batters		ManagerCoaches (pitching) (third base) (first base) (hitting)

Opening Day Lineup

Opening Day Starters

	Name	Position
18		CF
10		SS
39		RF
30		1B
24		LF
5		3B
4
16		C
26		P

^[3]

Player stats

BattingNote: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Regular Season^[4]

Player
	12	2	1	0.500	0	0
	15	11	4	0.364	0	0
	82	279	95	0.341	6	45
	66	210	63	0.300	2	17
	95	339	97	0.286	7	42
	38	60	17	0.283	0	9
	103	434	120	0.276	1	35
	78	213	57	0.268	2	10
	29	38	10	0.263	1	1
	29	27	7	0.259	1	4
	67	240	62	0.258	9	48
	56	181	46	0.254	1	20
	17	12	3	0.250	0	1
	86	316	78	0.247	0	20
	31	102	25	0.245	0	6
	86	223	54	0.242	15	42
	81	232	56	0.241	2	27
	34	59	14	0.237	2	9
	6	13	3	0.231	0	3
	54	169	39	0.231	2	18
	39	88	19	0.216	2	8
	21	47	10	0.213	1	6
	13	10	2	0.200	0	0
	21	48	9	0.188	0	0
	9	16	3	0.188	0	4
	25	43	7	0.163	0	3
	27	19	3	0.158	0	0
	14	28	4	0.143	1	3
	18	22	3	0.136	0	0
	30	67	9	0.134	0	3
	11	8	0	0.000	0	0
	7	4	0	0.000	0	0
	22	4	0	0.000	0	0
	35	2	0	0.000	0	0
	5	4	0	0.000	0	0
	33	4	0	0.000	0	0
	45	2	0	0.000	0	0
Team Totals	103	3,576	920	0.257	55	384

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

Regular Season^[5]

Player
	45	65	5	5	2.49	34
	14	93	6	3	2.50	48
	35	32	1	2	2.51	17
	22	34	1	1	2.65	28
	12	19	0	2	2.75	5
	22	127	8	6	3.12	38
	13	54	4	5	3.31	30
	6	40	2	2	3.54	14
	27	74	4	5	3.77	65
	21	136	9	4	3.89	76
	9	57	2	5	3.92	32
	17	86	2	7	3.96	46
	33	41	1	3	4.54	23
	7	21	0	1	4.98	11
	16	38	0	3	5.87	17
	5	19	1	2	5.95	8
Team Totals	103	942	46	56	3.56	492

Awards and honors

1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

• Dave Parker, RF, starter
• Bill Madlock, 3B, reserve
• Mike Easler, OF, reserve
• Phil Garner, 2B, reserve

Transactions

• October 22, 1980 – Jesse Jefferson granted free agency.
• October 22, 1980 – John Milner granted free agency.
• October 29, 1980 – Traded a player to be named later and cash to the Seattle Mariners. Received Odell Jones. The Pittsburgh Pirates sent Larry Andersen (October 29, 1980) to the Seattle Mariners to complete the trade.
• December 9, 1980 – Traded Bert Blyleven and Manny Sanguillén to the Cleveland Indians. Received Gary Alexander, Victor Cruz, Bob Owchinko and Rafael Vasquez.
• January 13, 1981 – Drafted John Kruk in the 3rd round of the 1981 amateur draft (January), but did not sign the player.
• January 19, 1981 – Signed Larvell Blanks as a free agent.
• January 20, 1981 – Signed Rusty Torres as a free agent.
• January 23, 1981 – Signed John Milner as a free agent.
• February 23, 1981 – Signed Luis Tiant as a free agent.
• April 1, 1981 – Traded Mickey Mahler and Ed Ott to the California Angels. Received Jason Thompson.
• April 5, 1981 – Purchased Jim Smith from the Baltimore Orioles.
• April 5, 1981 – Traded Dave Dravecky to the San Diego Padres. Received Bobby Mitchell (minors).
• April 6, 1981 – Traded Bob Owchinko to the Oakland Athletics. Received a player to be named later and cash. The Oakland Athletics sent Ernie Camacho (April 10, 1981) to the Pittsburgh Pirates to complete the trade.
• May 4, 1981 – Signed Willie Horton as a free agent.
• June 8, 1981 – Drafted Ray Krawczyk in the 1st round (4th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft (June Secondary).
• June 8, 1981 – Drafted Jim Winn in the 1st round (14th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft.
• June 8, 1981 – Drafted Lee Tunnell in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft.
• June 8, 1981 – Drafted Bip Roberts in the 5th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
• June 8, 1981 – Drafted Scott Bankhead in the 17th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
• June 8, 1981 – Drafted Chris Bosio in the 29th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
• June 8, 1981 – Drafted Lance Johnson in the 30th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
• June 25, 1981 – Signed Denny González as an amateur free agent.
• July 11, 1981 – Signed Bobby Bonilla as an amateur free agent.
• August 20, 1981 – Traded John Milner to the Montreal Expos. Received Willie Montañez.
• August 31, 1981 – Traded Phil Garner to the Houston Astros. Received players to be named later and Johnny Ray. The Houston Astros sent Randy Niemann (September 9, 1981) and Kevin Houston (minors) (September 9, 1981) to the Pittsburgh Pirates to complete the trade.
• September 1, 1981 – Sold Grant Jackson to the Montreal Expos for $50,000.
• October 5, 1981 – Released Luis Tiant.
• October 23, 1981 – Purchased Manny Sarmiento from the Boston Red Sox.
• October 26, 1981 – Released Kurt Bevacqua.

Farm system

See also: Minor League Baseball.

References

• 1981 Pittsburgh Pirates at Baseball Reference
• 1981 Pittsburgh Pirates at Baseball Almanac
• Book: Johnson. Lloyd. Wolff. Miles. The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. 3rd. Durham, North Carolina. Baseball America. 2007. 978-1-932391-17-6.

Notes and References

1. From 1882–1906, the team played in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, which became annexed by Pittsburgh as the North Side in 1907.
2. News: Associated Press . Associated Press . Pirates Considering New Orleans Move . . April 24, 1981 . June 19, 2009.
3. https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT198104090.shtml 1981 Opening Day Lineup
4. Web site: Major League Baseball Stats pirates.com: Stats. Pittsburgh Pirates.
5. Web site: Major League Baseball Stats pirates.com: Stats. Pittsburgh Pirates.