1981 New York Yankees season

MLB yearly infobox
name = New York Yankees
season = 1981
misc = AL East Champions American League Champions

current league = American League
y1 = 1901
division = Eastern Division
y2 = 1969
Uniform logo =
ballpark = Yankee Stadium
y4 = 1976
city = New York City, New York
y5 = 1903
owners = George Steinbrenner
managers = Gene Michael and Bob Lemon
television = WPIX
radio = WABC (AM)
(Frank Messer, Phil Rizzuto, Bill White, Fran Healy)|The New York Yankees' 1981 season was the 79th season for the Yankees. In the ALCS, the Yankees swept the Oakland Athletics. However, they lost in the World Series in 6 games to the Los Angeles Dodgers. New York was managed by Gene Michael and Bob Lemon. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium.

Offseason

*December 8, 1980: Brian Doyle was drafted from the Yankees by the Oakland Athletics in the 1980 rule 5 draft. [ [http://www.baseball-reference.com/d/doylebr01.shtml Brian Doyle page at Baseball Reference] ]

* February 16, 1981: Rafael Santana was traded by the Yankees to the St. Louis Cardinals for a player to be named later. The Cardinals completed the deal by sending George Frazier to the Yankees on June 7. [ [http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/santara01.shtml Rafael Santana page at Baseball Reference] ]

Regular Season

The team finished in first place in the American League Eastern Division for the first half of the season with a 34-22 record, but finished fifth in the second half with a 25-26 record, for an overall record of 59-48. The season was suspended for 50 days due to the infamous 1981 players strike and the league chose as its playoff teams, the division winners from the first and second halves of the season, respectively.

Notable transactions

* April 6, 1981: Johnny Oates was signed as a free agent by the Yankees. [ [http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/oatesjo01.shtml Johnny Oates page at Baseball Reference] ]
*May 20, 1981: Jim Spencer and Tom Underwood were traded by the Yankees to the Oakland Athletics for Dave Revering, Mike Patterson, and Chuck Dougherty (minors). [ [http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/reverda01.shtml Dave Revering page at Baseball Reference] ]
*June 12, 1981: Doug Bird, a player to be named later, and $400,000 were traded by the Yankees to the Chicago Cubs for Rick Reuschel. The Yankees completed the deal by sending Mike Griffin to the Cubs on August 5. [ [http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/reuscri01.shtml Rick Reuschel page at Baseball Reference] ]
*August 19, 1981: Pat Tabler was traded by the Yankees to the Chicago Cubs for players to be named later. The Cubs completed the deal by sending Bill Caudill to the Yankees on April 1, 1982 and Jay Howell to the Yankees on August 2. [ [http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/tablepa01.shtml Pat Tabler page at Baseball Reference] ]

Draft Picks

*June 8, 1981: 1981 Major League Baseball Draft
**John Elway was drafted by the Yankees in the 2nd round (52nd pick overall) of the 1981 amateur draft. [ [http://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/index.cgi?year_ID=1981&round=2&draft_type=junreg 1981 MLB June Draft First Round Picks] ]
**Phil Lombardi was drafted by the Yankees in the 3rd round. [ [http://www.baseball-reference.com/l/lombaph01.shtml Phil Lombardi page at Baseball Reference] ]
**Eric Plunk was drafted by the Yankees in the 4th round. Player signed June 15, 1981. [ [http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/plunker01.shtml Eric Plunk page at Baseball Reference] ]
**Fred McGriff was drafted by the Yankees in the 9th round. McGriff signed on June 11, 1981. [ [http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mcgrifr01.shtml Fred McGriff page at Baseball Reference] ]

eason standings

Roster

Pitching

Starting pitchers

ALDS

New York wins series, 3-2.

Awards and Honors

* Tommy John, Pitcher, Lou Gehrig Memorial Award
* Dave Righetti was honored as the AL Rookie of the Year.
* Graig Nettles, Third Baseman, Most Valuable Player in the AL Championship Series.

All-Star Game
* Willie Randolph, Second Baseman
* Bucky Dent, Shortstop
* Reggie Jackson, Outfield
* Dave Winfield, Outfield
* Ron Davis, Pitcher
* Rich Gossage, Relief Pitcher

References

External links

* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/1981.shtml 1981 New York Yankees]
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1981_WS.shtml 1981 World Series]
* [http://baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/roster.php?y=1981&t=NYA 1981 New York Yankees team page at www.baseball-almanac.com] succession box
title = AL East Championship Season
years = 1981
before =New York Yankees
1980
after = Milwaukee Brewers
1982succession box
title = American League Championship
years = 1981
before = Kansas City Royals
1980
after = Milwaukee Brewers
1982