411 REFERENCE · Wikipedia
1981 Philadelphia Phillies season
Reference material by Wikipedia contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
Major League Baseball season
March 2026
November 2013
Philadelphia Phillies 1981 National League East Veterans Stadium Philadelphia Bill Giles Paul Owens Dallas Green WPHL-TVPRISM KYW(Harry Kalas, Richie Ashburn, Andy Musser, Chris Wheeler, Tim McCarver)
The 1981 Philadelphia Phillies season was the 99th season in the history of the franchise, and the 11th season for the Philadelphia Phillies at Veterans Stadium.
Offseason
November 25, 1980: Rick Schu was signed as an amateur free agent by the Phillies.Rick Schu at Baseball Reference
December 8, 1980: George Bell was drafted from the Phillies by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1980 rule 5 draft.George Bell at Baseball Reference
December 22, 1980: Del Unser was signed as a free agent by the Phillies.Del Unser at Baseball Reference
March 1, 1981: Randy Lerch was traded by the Phillies to the Milwaukee Brewers for Dick Davis.Dick Davis at Baseball Reference
March 25, 1981: Bob Walk was traded by the Phillies to the Atlanta Braves for Gary Matthews. at Baseball Reference
Regular season
April 29, 1981: Phillies pitcher Steve Carlton struck out Tim Wallach of the Montreal Expos for the 3000th strikeout of his career.http://www.thebaseballpage.com/players/carltst01.php Steve Carlton The Baseball Page July 28, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080620020804/http://www.thebaseballpage.com/players/carltst01.php June 20, 2008 dead
August 10, 1981: First baseman Pete Rose records his 3,631st hit of his career, passing Stan Musial to become the all-time hit leader in the National League.http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/p_rose4.shtml Pete Rose Significant Hits | Baseball Almanac
Season standings
Philadelphia Phillies
Record vs. opponents
PHI
Notable transactions
June 8, 1981: Vince Coleman was drafted by the Phillies in the 20th round of the 1981 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign.Vince Coleman at Baseball Reference
July 12, 1981: Mike LaValliere was signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent.Mike LaValliere at Baseball Reference
1981 Game Log
Legend Phillies win Phillies loss PostponementBoldPhillies team member
background:white; color:#de2211; border:2px #1234dd solid; 1981 Game Loghttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1981-schedule-scores.shtml 1981 Philadelphia Phillies Schedule, Box Scores and Splits Baseball-Reference.comFirst Half: 34–21; Second Half: 25–27; Overall Record: 59–48
y background:#b71234; color:white; border:1px #99f solid; April (12–6) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 1 || April 8 || @ Reds || 2–3 || Tom Hume (1–0) || Sparky Lyle (0–1) || None || 51,716 || 0–1
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 2 || April 11 || @ Cardinals || 5–2 || Dick Ruthven (1–0) || Bob Forsch (0–1) || None || 38,473 || 1–1
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 3 || April 12 || @ Cardinals || 3–7 || Lary Sorensen (1–0) || Larry Christenson (0–1) || Bruce Sutter (1) || 21,462 || 1–2
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 4 || April 13 || Pirates || 5–1 || Steve Carlton (1–0) || John Candelaria (0–1) || None || 60,404 || 2–2
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 5 || April 15 || Pirates || 4–3 (11) || Tug McGraw (1–0) || Enrique Romo (0–1) || None || 27,450 || 3–2
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 6 || April 16 || Pirates || 5–3 || Dick Ruthven (2–0) || Don Robinson (0–1) || Tug McGraw (1) || 26,780 || 4–2
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 7 || April 17 || Cubs || 6–2 || Larry Christenson (1–1) || Ken Kravec (0–1) || None || 21,948 || 5–2
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 8 || April 18 || Cubs || 4–3 (10) || Steve Carlton (2–0) || Lee Smith (0–1) || None || 27,780 || 6–2
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 9 || April 19 || Cubs || 7–3 || Nino Espinosa (1–0) || Rick Reuschel (0–2) || None || 30,204 || 7–2
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 10 || April 20 || @ Expos || 8–9 || Steve Rogers (1–0) || Tug McGraw (1–1) || Woodie Fryman (2) || 24,817 || 7–3
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 11 || April 21 || @ Expos || 3–10 || Scott Sanderson (2–0) || Dick Ruthven (2–1) || None || 10,887 || 7–4
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 12 || April 22 || @ Expos || 3–4 (11) || Elías Sosa (1–0) || Tug McGraw (1–2) || None || 14,176 || 7–5
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 13 || April 24 || @ Cubs || 6–4 || Steve Carlton (3–0) || Rick Reuschel (0–3) || Ron Reed (1) || 6,274 || 8–5
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 14 || April 25 || @ Cubs || 7–5 || Sparky Lyle (1–1) || Dick Tidrow (1–2) || None || 10,990 || 9–5
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 15 || April 26 || @ Cubs || 6–2 || Marty Bystrom (1–0) || Bill Caudill (0–1) || None || 10,093 || 10–5
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 16 || April 27 || Expos || 3–1 || Dick Ruthven (3–1) || Bill Gullickson (1–1) || None || 27,347 || 11–5
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 17 || April 28 || Expos || 3–6 || Steve Ratzer (1–0) || Larry Christenson (1–2) || Elías Sosa (1) || 26,192 || 11–6
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 18 || April 29 || Expos || 6–2 || Steve Carlton (4–0) || Steve Rogers (2–1) || None || 30,142 || 12–6
|-
y background:#b71234; color:white; border:1px #99f solid; May (15–13) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || May 1 || Giants || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain);For the Record: National League https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19810502&id=XYBQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BxIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6456,373816 November 21, 2014 The Milwaukee Sentinel May 2, 1981 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 6, part 2 October 2026 InternetArchiveBot Makeup: May 2 as a traditional double-header
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 19 || May 2 (1) || Giants || 2–6 || Doyle Alexander (4–1) || Nino Espinosa (1–1) || Greg Minton (4) || see 2nd game || 12–7
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 20 || May 2 (2) || Giants || 3–1 || Marty Bystrom (2–0) || Ed Whitson (0–3) || None || 27,376 || 13–7
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 21 || May 3 || Giants || 7–5 || Dick Ruthven (4–1) || Gary Lavelle (0–2) || Tug McGraw (2) || 41,283 || 14–7
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 22 || May 4 || Giants || 6–4 || Steve Carlton (5–0) || Allen Ripley (1–3) || None || 25,492 || 15–7
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 23 || May 5 || Dodgers || 8–7 || Sparky Lyle (2–1) || Bobby Castillo (0–3) || None || 27,241 || 16–7
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 24 || May 6 || Dodgers || 1–2 || Burt Hooton (4–0) || Nino Espinosa (1–2) || None || 25,850 || 16–8
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 25 || May 7 || Dodgers || 1–2 || Jerry Reuss (3–1) || Marty Bystrom (2–1) || None || 29,259 || 16–9
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 26 || May 8 || Padres || 11–7 || Sparky Lyle (3–1) || Gary Lucas (2–3) || None || 30,830 || 17–9
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 27 || May 9 || Padres || 9–6 || Steve Carlton (6–0) || Tim Lollar (1–3) || None || 30,907 || 18–9
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 28 || May 10 || Padres || 4–8 || Steve Mura (1–4) || Larry Christenson (1–3) || Gary Lucas (5) || 40,447 || 18–10
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 29 || May 12 || @ Giants || 0–4 || Doyle Alexander (5–2) || Nino Espinosa (1–3) || None || 10,307 || 18–11
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 30 || May 13 || @ Giants || 2–5 || Allen Ripley (3–3) || Marty Bystrom (2–2) || Greg Minton (6) || 6,946 || 18–12
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 31 || May 14 || @ Giants || 3–1 || Dick Ruthven (5–1) || Vida Blue (3–3) || Tug McGraw (3) || 6,561 || 19–12
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 32 || May 15 || @ Padres || 2–1 || Steve Carlton (7–0) || Steve Mura (1–5) || None || 15,939 || 20–12
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 33 || May 16 || @ Padres || 1–2 || John Littlefield (1–2) || Tug McGraw (1–3) || None || 40,656 || 20–13
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 34 || May 17 || @ Padres || 6–3 || Nino Espinosa (2–3) || Juan Eichelberger (3–2) || None || 18,330 || 21–13
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 35 || May 18 || @ Dodgers || 4–0 || Marty Bystrom (3–2) || Fernando Valenzuela (8–1) || None || 52,439 || 22–13
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 36 || May 19 || @ Dodgers || 3–2 || Dick Ruthven (6–1) || Bob Welch (2–2) || None || 43,812 || 23–13
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 37 || May 20 || @ Dodgers || 2–3 (10) || Steve Howe (4–1) || Tug McGraw (1–4) || None || 50,917 || 23–14
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 38 || May 22 || @ Pirates || 1–3 || Pascual Pérez (1–0) || Larry Christenson (1–4) || None || 20,695 || 23–15
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 39 || May 23 || @ Pirates || 6–4 || Mike Proly (1–0) || Kent Tekulve (0–3) || Ron Reed (2) || 20,340 || 24–15
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 40 || May 24 || @ Pirates || 1–7 || Jim Bibby (3–2) || Marty Bystrom (3–3) || Víctor Cruz (1) || 21,771 || 24–16
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 41 || May 25 || @ Mets || 3–13 || Greg A. Harris (1–0) || Dick Ruthven (6–2) || Jeff Reardon (2) || 20,469 || 24–17
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 42 || May 26 || @ Mets || 7–5 || Ron Reed (1–0) || Neil Allen (3–2) || Tug McGraw (4) || 13,973 || 25–17
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 43 || May 27 || @ Mets || 1–3 || Pat Zachry (5–5) || Larry Christenson (1–5) || None || 10,930 || 25–18
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 44 || May 29 || Cardinals || 4–11 || Bob Forsch (5–2) || Nino Espinosa (2–4) || Mark Littell (1) || 32,358 || 25–19
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 45 || May 30 || Cardinals || 10–2 || Dick Ruthven (7–2) || Lary Sorensen (4–4) || None || 35,034 || 26–19
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 46 || May 31 || Cardinals || 6–1 || Steve Carlton (8–0) || Silvio Martínez (1–4) || None || 54,103 || 27–19
|-
y background:#b71234; color:white; border:1px #99f solid; June (7–2) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 47 || June 1 || Mets || 5–4 || Sparky Lyle (4–1) || Neil Allen (3–3) || Tug McGraw (5) || 27,631 || 28–19
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 48 || June 2 || Mets || 9–7 || Mike Proly (2–0) || Ed Lynch (1–3) || Ron Reed (3) || 25,375 || 29–19
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 49 || June 3 || Mets || 2–6 || Greg A. Harris (2–1) || Dick Ruthven (7–3) || Neil Allen (5) || 27,588 || 29–20
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 50 || June 5 || @ Braves || 1–4 || Rick Mahler (3–1) || Steve Carlton (8–1) || Rick Camp (8) || 17,059 || 29–21
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 51 || June 6 || @ Braves || 3–0 || Larry Christenson (2–5) || Tommy Boggs (1–9) || Mike Proly (1) || 15,291 || 30–21
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 52 || June 7 || @ Braves || 7–5 || Sparky Lyle (5–1) || Gaylord Perry (5–4) || Ron Reed (4) || 23,482 || 31–21
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 53 || June 8 || Astros || 4–3 || Dick Ruthven (8–3) || Don Sutton (4–6) || Tug McGraw (6) || 31,664 || 32–21
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 54 || June 9 || Astros || 10–3 || Marty Bystrom (4–3) || Joe Niekro (6–5) || Ron Reed (5) || 33,978 || 33–21
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 55 || June 10 || Astros || 5–4 || Steve Carlton (9–1) || Frank LaCorte (3–2) || Tug McGraw (7) || 57,386 || 34–21
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || June 12 || Braves || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || June 13 || Braves || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || June 14 || Braves || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || June 15 || Reds || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || June 16 || Reds || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || June 17 || @ Astros || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || June 18 || @ Astros || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || June 19 || @ Reds || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || June 20 || @ Reds || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || June 21 || @ Reds || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || June 23 || @ Cubs || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || June 24 || @ Cubs || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || June 25 || @ Cubs || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || June 26 || Pirates || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || June 27 || Pirates || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || June 28 || Pirates || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || June 29 || @ Cardinals || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || June 30 (1) || @ Cardinals || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || June 30 (2) || @ Cardinals || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|-
y background:#b71234; color:white; border:1px #99f solid; July (0–0) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 1 || @ Cardinals || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 2 || @ Cardinals || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 3 || Expos || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 4 || Expos || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 5 || Expos || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 7 || @ Pirates || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 8 || @ Pirates || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 9 || @ Pirates || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 10 || Mets || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 11 (1) || Mets || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 11 (2) || Mets || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 12 || Mets || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 14 || colspan=7 | 1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland Cancelled (players' strike), then postponed to August 9
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 16 || Giants || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 17 || Giants || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 18 || Dodgers || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 19 || Dodgers || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 20 || Dodgers || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 21 || Padres || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 22 || Padres || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 23 || Padres || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 24 || @ Giants || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 25 || @ Giants || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 26 || @ Giants || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 27 || @ Padres || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 28 || @ Padres || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 29 || @ Padres || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || July 31 || @ Dodgers || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|-
y background:#b71234; color:white; border:1px #99f solid; August (7–13) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record(Overall Record)
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || August 1 || @ Dodgers || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || August 2 || @ Dodgers || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || August 4 || Cubs || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || August 5 || Cubs || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || August 6 || Cubs || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || August 7 || @ Expos || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || August 8 || @ Expos || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || August 9 (1) || @ Expos || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || August 9 (2) || @ Expos || colspan=6 | Game cancelled: players' strike
|- style="background:#bbcaff;"
| – || August 9 ||colspan="7" | 1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 56 || August 10 || Cardinals || 3–7 || Bob Forsch (7–2) || Larry Christenson (2–6) || Bruce Sutter (12) || 60,561 || 0–1(34–22)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 57 || August 11 || Cardinals || 6–5 (10) || Ron Reed (2–0) || Jim Kaat (3–2) || None || 24,549 || 1–1(35–22)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 58 || August 12 || Cardinals || 3–11 || Bob Sykes (1–0) || Dick Ruthven (8–4) || Mark Littell (2) || 23,566 || 1–2(35–23)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 59 || August 13 || Cardinals || 2–5 || John Martin (4–1) || Steve Carlton (9–2) || Bruce Sutter (13) || 26,783 || 1–3(35–24)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 60 || August 14 || @ Mets || 8–4 || Larry Christenson (3–6) || Mike Scott (3–5) || Mike Proly (2) || 34,136 || 2–3(36–24)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 61 || August 15 || @ Mets || 1–3 || Pete Falcone (2–3) || Nino Espinosa (2–5) || Neil Allen (8) || 14,309 || 2–4(36–25)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 62 || August 16 || @ Mets || 2–5 || Pat Zachry (6–7) || Dick Ruthven (8–5) || Neil Allen (9) || 21,635 || 2–5(36–26)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 63 || August 18 || @ Reds || 1–3 || Tom Seaver (8–2) || Steve Carlton (9–3) || Tom Hume (8) || 25,363 || 2–6(36–27)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 64 || August 19 || @ Reds || 3–6 || Tom Hume (6–2) || Sparky Lyle (5–2) || None || 23,133 || 2–7(36–28)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 65 || August 21 || Astros || 5–4 || Sparky Lyle (6–2) || Vern Ruhle (1–3) || Tug McGraw (8) || 31,693 || 3–7(37–28)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 66 || August 22 || Astros || 8–4 || Dick Ruthven (9–5) || Joe Niekro (7–7) || None || 35,199 || 4–7(38–28)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 67 || August 23 || Astros || 6–0 || Steve Carlton (10–3) || Bob Knepper (6–3) || None || 30,630 || 5–7(39–28)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 68 || August 24 || Braves || 7–5 (13) || Tug McGraw (2–4) || Al Hrabosky (0–1) || None || 23,383 || 6–7(40–28)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 69 || August 25 || Braves || 2–12 || Phil Niekro (6–4) || Mark Davis (0–1) || None || 33,383 || 6–8(40–29)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 70 || August 26 || Braves || 3–5 (10) || Rick Camp (7–1) || Ron Reed (2–1) || None || 28,283 || 6–9(40–30)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 71 || August 28 || @ Astros || 2–3 (10) || Dave Smith (2–3) || Sparky Lyle (6–3) || None || 29,482 || 6–10(40–31)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 72 || August 29 (1) || @ Astros || 1–6 || Vern Ruhle (2–3) || Mark Davis (0–2) || None || see 2nd game || 6–11(40–32)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 73 || August 29 (2) || @ Astros || 1–2 || Billy Smith (1–0) || Dickie Noles (0–1) || Frank LaCorte (4) || 33,327 || 6–12(40–33)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 74 || August 30 || @ Astros || 4–5 (10) || Dave Smith (3–3) || Sparky Lyle (6–4) || None || 23,102 || 6–13(40–34)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 75 || August 31 || @ Braves || 11–8 || Dick Ruthven (10–5) || Gaylord Perry (6–5) || Ron Reed (6) || 8,207 || 7–13(41–34)
|-
y background:#b71234; color:white; border:1px #99f solid; September (16–12) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record(Overall Record)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 76 || September 1 || @ Braves || 3–0 || Steve Carlton (11–3) || Rick Mahler (4–5) || None || 3,374 || 8–13(42–34)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 77 || September 2 || @ Braves || 2–3 || Gene Garber (4–3) || Warren Brusstar (0–1) || None || 6,232 || 8–14(42–35)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 78 || September 3 || Reds || 3–9 || Bruce Berenyi (7–4) || Mark Davis (0–3) || None || 26,540 || 8–15(42–36)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 79 || September 4 || Reds || 7–6 || Sparky Lyle (7–4) || Doug Bair (2–2) || Tug McGraw (9) || 25,020 || 9–15(43–36)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 80 || September 5 || Reds || 5–4 || Ron Reed (3–1) || Mario Soto (8–8) || None || 41,845 || 10–15(44–36)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 81 || September 6 || Reds || 4–5 || Tom Hume (7–3) || Sparky Lyle (7–5) || Joe Price (2) || 30,366 || 10–16(44–37)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 82 || September 7 || Expos || 4–5 || Woodie Fryman (5–2) || Mike Proly (2–1) || Jeff Reardon (5) || 31,401 || 10–17(44–38)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 83 || September 8 || Expos || 10–5 || Dan Larson (1–0) || Scott Sanderson (7–6) || None || 11,812 || 11–17(45–38)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 84 || September 9 || Expos || 11–8 || Ron Reed (4–1) || Woodie Fryman (5–3) || Sparky Lyle (1) || 25,468 || 12–17(46–38)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 85 || September 11 || @ Pirates || 8–0 || Steve Carlton (12–3) || Rick Rhoden (8–3) || None || 12,799 || 13–17(47–38)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 86 || September 12 || @ Pirates || 2–6 || Eddie Solomon (7–4) || Dickie Noles (0–2) || Rod Scurry (5) || 11,370 || 13–18(47–39)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 87 || September 13 || @ Pirates || 2–3 || Odell Jones (4–2) || Ron Reed (4–2) || Kent Tekulve () || 16,493 || 13–19(47–40)
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || September 15 || @ Mets || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain);In The Majors https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=djft3U1LymYC&dat=19810916&printsec=frontpage&hl=en November 20, 2014 The Pittsburgh Press Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania September 16, 1981 D3 Makeup: September 16 as a traditional double-header
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 88 || September 16 (1) || @ Mets || 3–1 || Dick Ruthven (11–5) || Pat Zachry (7–12) || None || see 2nd game || 14–19(48–40)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 89 || September 16 (2) || @ Mets || 4–5 || Mike Marshall (3–2) || Steve Carlton (12–4) || Neil Allen (17) || 4,353 || 14–20(48–41)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 90 || September 17 || @ Mets || 3–2 || Dickie Noles (1–2) || Mike Scott (4–9) || Ron Reed (7) || 5,501 || 15–20(49–41)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 91 || September 18 || Pirates || 6–7 || Rod Scurry (4–5) || Ron Reed (4–3) || Mark Lee (2) || 24,537 || 15–21(49–42)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 92 || September 19 || Pirates || 8–2 || Dan Larson (2–0) || Odell Jones (4–3) || Larry Christenson (1) || 30,446 || 16–21(50–42)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 93 || September 20 || Pirates || 5–4 || Sparky Lyle (8–5) || Eddie Solomon (7–5) || None || 31,489 || 17–21(51–42)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 94 || September 21 || @ Expos || 0–1 (17) || Bryn Smith (1–0) || Jerry Reed (0–1) || None || 24,161 || 17–22(51–43)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 95 || September 22 || @ Expos || 2–6 || Steve Rogers (11–7) || Dick Ruthven (11–6) || None || 21,797 || 17–23(51–44)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 96 || September 23 || @ Cardinals || 9–4 || Dickie Noles (2–2) || John Martin (6–5) || Sparky Lyle (2) || 16,845 || 18–23(52–44)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 97 || September 24 || @ Cardinals || 14–6 || Mark Davis (1–3) || Lary Sorensen (7–7) || None || 11,758 || 19–23(53–44)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 98 || September 25 || @ Cubs || 9–2 || Dan Larson (3–0) || Ken Kravec (1–6) || None || 4,482 || 20–23(54–44)
|- style="background:#bbb"
| – || September 26 || @ Cubs || colspan=6 | Postponed (rain);Scoreboard https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=Fr8DH2VBP9sC&dat=19810928&printsec=frontpage&hl=en November 21, 2014 The Montreal Gazette September 28, 1981 Montreal, Quebec 46 Makeup: September 27 as a traditional double-header
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 99 || September 27 (1) || @ Cubs || 5–2 || Steve Carlton (13–4) || Doug Bird (9–6) || None || see 2nd game || 21–23(55–44)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 100 || September 27 (2) || @ Cubs || 0–14 || Mike Krukow (9–9) || Dick Ruthven (11–7) || None || 18,783 || 21–24(55–45)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 101 || September 28 || Mets || 12–4 || Larry Christenson (4–6) || Ed Lynch (4–5) || None || 20,403 || 22–24(56–45)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 102 || September 29 || Mets || 0–7 || Pete Falcone (4–3) || Mark Davis (1–4) || None || 20,110 || 22–25(56–46)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 103 || September 30 || Cardinals || 8–5 || Sparky Lyle (9–5) || Luis DeLeón (0–1) || Ron Reed (8) || 21,382 || 23–25(57–46)
|-
y background:#b71234; color:white; border:1px #99f solid; October (2–2) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record(Overall Record)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 104 || October 1 || Cardinals || 2–3 (10) || Doug Bair (4–2) || Larry Christenson (4–7) || None || 20,482 || 23–26(57–47)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 105 || October 2 || Cubs || 9–7 || Ron Reed (5–3) || Dick Tidrow (3–10) || None || 20,453 || 24–26(58–47)
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 106 || October 3 || Cubs || 4–8 || Jay Howell (2–0) || Sparky Lyle (9–6) || Randy Martz (6) || 35,169 || 24–27(58–48)
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 107 || October 4 || Cubs || 2–1 || Dick Ruthven (12–7) || Lee Smith (3–6) || Tug McGraw (10) || 21,912 || 25–27(59–48)
|-
Roster
1981 Philadelphia Phillies Roster Pitchers
40 Warren Brusstar
50 Marty Bystrom
32 Steve Carlton
38 Larry Christenson
43 Mark Davis
35 Nino Espinosa
49 Dan Larson
28 Sparky Lyle
45 Tug McGraw
48 Dickie Noles
30 Mike Proly
35 Jerry Reed
42 Ron Reed
44 Dick Ruthven Catchers
8 Bob Boone
17 Don McCormack
6 Keith Moreland
11 Ozzie Virgil
Infielders
16 Luis Aguayo
15 Ramón Avilés
10 Larry Bowa
24 Len Matuszek
14 Pete Rose
37 Ryne Sandberg
20 Mike Schmidt
9 Manny Trillo
25 Del Unser
18 John Vukovich Outfielders
26 Dick Davis
22 Bob Dernier
23 Greg Gross
31 Garry Maddox
34 Gary Matthews
21 Bake McBride
27 Lonnie Smith
29 George Vukovich Manager
46 Dallas Green
Coaches
12 Rubén Amaro
2 Billy DeMars
3 Lee Elia
5 Mike Ryan
4 Herm Starrette
7 Bobby Wine
Player stats
= Indicates team leader
= Indicates league leader
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 Bob Boone 76 227 48 .211 4 24 1B Pete Rose 107 431 140 .325 0 33 2B Manny Trillo 94 349 100 .287 6 36 SS Larry Bowa 103 360 102 .283 0 31 3B Mike Schmidt 102 354 112 .316 31 91 LF Gary Matthews 101 359 108 .301 9 67 CF Garry Maddox 94 323 85 .263 5 40 RF Bake McBride 58 221 60 .271 2 21
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 Keith Moreland 61 196 50 .255 6 37 Lonnie Smith 62 176 57 .324 2 11 Greg Gross 83 102 23 .225 0 7 Dick Davis Dick Davis (baseball) 45 96 32 .333 2 19 Luis Aguayo 45 84 18 .214 1 7 Del Unser 62 59 9 .153 0 6 Ramón Avilés 38 28 6 .214 0 3 George Vukovich 20 26 10 .385 1 4 Len Matuszek 13 11 3 .273 0 1 Ozzie Virgil Jr. 6 6 0 .000 0 0 Ryne Sandberg 13 6 1 .167 0 0 Bob Dernier 10 4 3 .750 0 0 Don McCormack 3 4 1 .250 0 0 John Vukovich 11 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 Carlton 24 190.0 13 4 2.42 179 Dick Ruthven 23 146.2 12 7 5.15 80 Larry Christenson 20 106.2 4 7 3.54 70 Nino Espinosa 14 73.2 2 5 6.11 22 Marty Bystrom 9 53.2 4 3 3.35 24 Mark Davis 9 43.0 1 4 7.74 29
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 Dickie Noles 13 58.1 2 2 4.17 34 Dan Larson 5 28.0 3 0 4.18 15
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 Tug McGraw 34 2 4 10 2.66 26 Sparky Lyle 48 9 6 2 4.44 29 Ron Reed 39 5 3 8 3.08 40 Mike Proly 35 2 1 2 3.86 19 Warren Brusstar 14 0 1 0 4.38 8 Jerry Reed Jerry Reed (baseball) 4 0 1 0 7.71 5
1981 National League Division Series
1981 National League Division Series
Montreal Expos vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Montreal wins series, 3–2.
GameScoreDate1Montreal 3, Philadelphia 1October 72Montreal 3, Philadelphia 1October 83Philadelphia 6, Montreal 2 October 94Philadelphia 6, Montreal 5 (10 innings)October 105Montreal 3, Philadelphia 0 October 11
1981 Postseason Game Log
Legend Phillies win Phillies loss PostponementBoldPhillies team member
background:white; color:#de2211; border:2px #1234dd solid; 1981 Postseason Game LogOverall Record: 2–3
y background:#b71234; color:white; border:1px #99f solid; National League Divisional Series (2–3) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 1 || October 7 || @ Expos || 1–3 || Steve Rogers (1–0) || Steve Carlton (0–1) || Jeff Reardon (1) || 34,237 || 0–1
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 2 || October 8 || @ Expos || 1–3 || Bill Gullickson (1–0) || Dick Ruthven (0–1) || Jeff Reardon (2) || 45,896 || 0–2
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 3 || October 9 || Expos || 6–2 || Larry Christenson (1–0) || Ray Burris (0–1) || None || 36,835 || 1–2
|- style="background:#bfb"
| 4 || October 10 || Expos || 6–5 (10) || Tug McGraw (1–0) || Jeff Reardon (0–1) || None || 38,818 || 2–2
|- style="background:#fbb"
| 5 || October 11 || Expos || 0–3 || Steve Rogers (2–0) || Steve Carlton (0–2) || None || 47,384 || 2–3
|-
Farm system
Minor League Baseball
AAA Oklahoma City 89ers American Association Jim Snyder AA Reading Phillies Eastern League Ron Clark A Peninsula Pilots Carolina League Bill Dancy A Spartanburg Traders South Atlantic League Tom Harmon A-Short Season Bend Phillies Northwest League P. J. Carey Rookie Helena Phillies Pioneer League Roly de Armas
Notes
References
1981 Philadelphia Phillies season at Baseball Reference
Johnson Lloyd Wolff Miles The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball 2nd Durham, North Carolina Baseball America 1997 978-0-9637189-8-3
Category:Philadelphia Phillies seasons
Philadelphia Phillies season
Philadelphia
Category:1981 in Philadelphia