1981 Montreal Expos season

March 2026 November 2013 Montreal Expos 1981 National League East champions National League East Olympic Stadium Montreal Charles Bronfman John McHale Dick Williams, Jim Fanning CBC Television(Dave Van Horne, Duke Snider)Télévision de Radio-Canada(Jean-Pierre Roy, Guy Ferron) CFCF (English)(Dave Van Horne, Duke Snider, Ron Reusch) CKAC (French)(Claude Raymond, Jacques Doucet) 1st half: 30–25 (.545) 2nd half: 30–23 (.566) Overall: 60–48 (.556) 1st half: 3rd 2nd half: 1st Overall: 2nd 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. 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. The season was separated into two halves due to the 1981 Major League Baseball strike. This would be the first and only time the team made the postseason as the Montreal Expos. The next time the franchise would reach the playoffs was in the 2012 season, after relocating to Washington, D.C., and becoming the Washington Nationals. The 30-year postseason drought set a Major League Baseball record for the longest in MLB history. Offseason December 8, 1980: Jack O'Connor was drafted from the Expos by the Minnesota Twins in the rule 5 draft.Jack O'Connor Stats https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/o'conja02.shtml 2024-10-19 Baseball-Reference.com en December 12, 1980: Tony Bernazard was traded by the Expos to the Chicago White Sox for Rich Wortham.Tony Bernazard Stats https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bernato01.shtml 2024-10-19 Baseball-Reference.com en December 12, 1980: Willie Montañez was signed as a free agent by the Expos.Willie Montañez Stats https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/montawi01.shtml 2024-10-19 Baseball-Reference.com en January 15, 1981: Ken Macha was purchased from the Expos by the Toronto Blue Jays.Ken Macha Stats https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/machake01.shtml 2024-10-19 Baseball-Reference.com en February 18, 1981: Ray Burris was signed as a free agent by the Expos.Ray Burris Stats https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burrira01.shtml 2024-10-19 Baseball-Reference.com en 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.2018-12-29 Steve Carlton Stats & Facts https://thisdayinbaseball.com/steve-carlton-page/ 2024-10-19 This Day in Baseball en-US 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 background:#003087; color:#FFFFFF; 1981 Regular Season Game Log First Half (30–25) (Home: 21–7; Road: 9–18) y background:#E4002B; color:#FFFFFF April (12–4) (Home: 8–0; Road: 4–4) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Report |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 1 || April 9 || @ Pirates || 6–5 || Fryman (1–0) || Tekulve (0–1) || || 40,332 || 1–0 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 2 || April 12 || @ Pirates || 2–3 || Rhoden (1–0) || Burris (0–1) || Romo (1) || 8,430 || 1–1 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 3 || April 15 || Cubs || 5–4 || Bahnsen (1–0) || Tidrow (1–1) || || 30,003 || 2–1 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 4 || April 16 || Cubs || 7–0 || Sanderson (1–0) || McGlothen (0–1) || || 11,602 || 3–1 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 5 || April 18 || @ Mets || 5–3 || Gullickson (1–0) || Jones (0–1) || Bahnsen (1) || 23,710 || 4–1 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 6 || April 19 || @ Mets || 4–3 || Burris (1–1) || Swan (0–1) || Fryman (1) || N/A || 5–1 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 7 || April 19 || @ Mets || 2–7 || Zachry (3–0) || Lea (0–1) || || 21,464 || 5–2 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 8 || April 20 || Phillies || 9–8 || Rogers (1–0) || McGraw (1–1) || Fryman (2) || 24,817 || 6–2 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 9 || April 21 || Phillies || 10–3 || Sanderson (2–0) || Ruthven (2–1) || || 10,887 || 7–2 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 10 || April 22 || Phillies || 4–3 (11 inn.) || Sosa (1–0) || McGraw (1–2) || || 14,176 || 8–2 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || April 24 || Mets || colspan=7 |Postponed (rain); rescheduled for April 26 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 11 || April 25 || Mets || 4–2 || Rogers (2–0) || Jones (0–2) || Lee (1) || 18,150 || 9–2 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 12 || April 26 || Mets || 8–4 || Burris (2–1) || Zachry (3–1) || || N/A || 10–2 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 13 || April 26 || Mets || 7–6 || Sanderson (3–0) || Swan (0–2) || Fryman (3) || 41,697 || 11–2 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 14 || April 27 || @ Phillies || 1–3 || Ruthven (3–1) || Gullickson (1–1) || || 27,347 || 11–3 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 15 || April 28 || @ Phillies || 6–3 || Ratzer (1–0) || Christenson (1–2) || Sosa (1) || 26,192 || 12–3 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 16 || April 29 || @ Phillies || 2–6 || Carlton (4–0) || Rogers (2–1) || || 30,142 || 12–4 || Boxscore |- y background:#E4002B; color:#FFFFFF May (14–15) (Home: 10–7; Road: 4–8) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Report |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 17 || May 1 || Dodgers || 9–8 (13 inn.) || Lee (1–0) || Castillo (0–2) || || 28,179 || 13–4 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 18 || May 2 || Dodgers || 0–4 || Reuss (2–1) || Sanderson (3–1) || || 22,820 || 13–5 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 19 || May 3 || Dodgers || 1–6 (10 inn.) || Valenzuela (6–0) || Gullickson (1–2) || || 46,405 || 13–6 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 20 || May 4 || Dodgers || 4–3 || Rogers (3–1) || Sutcliffe (2–2) || Sosa (2) || 21,527 || 14–6 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 21 || May 5 || Padres || 4–3 || Fryman (2–0) || || || 15,909 || 15–6 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 22 || May 6 || Padres || 5–13 || || Burris (2–2) || || 13,066 || 15–7 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 23 || May 7 || Padres || 2–1 || Sanderson (4–1) || || || 12,248 || 16–7 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 24 || May 8 || Giants || 3–4 || || Gullickson (1–3) || || 21,850 || 16–8 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 25 || May 9 || Giants || 2–8 || || Rogers (3–2) || || 48,149 || 16–9 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 26 || May 10 || Giants || 1–5 || || Lee (1–1) || || N/A || 16–10 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 27 || May 10 || Giants || 4–0 || Lea (1–1) || || || 25,343 || 17–10 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 28 || May 12 || @ Dodgers || 0–5 || Hooton (5–0) || Burris (2–3) || Howe (4) || 34,367 || 17–11 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 29 || May 13 || @ Dodgers || 6–8 || Howe (2–1) || Fryman (2–1) || || 42,712 || 17–12 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 30 || May 14 || @ Dodgers || 2–3 || Valenzuela (8–0) || Ratzer (1–1) || || 53,906 || 17–13 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 31 || May 15 || @ Giants || 2–4 || || Rogers (3–3) || || 19,763 || 17–14 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 32 || May 16 || @ Giants || 5–0 || Lea (2–1) || || || 11,133 || 18–14 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 33 || May 17 || @ Giants || 4–5 (12 inn.) || || Lee (1–2) || || 27,975 || 18–15 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 34 || May 18 || @ Padres || 3–2 (10 inn.) || Fryman (3–1) || || Lee (2) || 13,283 || 19–15 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 35 || May 19 || @ Padres || 1–3 || || Gullickson (1–4) || || 6,871 || 19–16 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 36 || May 20 || @ Padres || 6–2 || Rogers (4–3) || || || 9,336 || 20–16 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 37 || May 22 || @ Cubs || 6–3 || Lea (3–1) || Krukow (1–5) || || 6,071 || 21–16 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 38 || May 23 || @ Cubs || 4–6 || Reuschel (2–5) || Burris (2–4) || Tidrow (2) || 15,981 || 21–17 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 39 || May 24 || @ Cubs || 2–6 || Caudill (1–3) || Sanderson (4–2) || Tidrow (3) || 10,821 || 21–18 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 40 || May 25 || Cardinals || 5–3 || Gullickson (2–4) || || Lee (3) || 24,490 || 22–18 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 41 || May 26 || Cardinals || 4–3 || Rogers (5–3) || || Sosa (3) || 27,775 || 23–18 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 42 || May 27 || Cardinals || 4–1 || Lea (4–1) || || Lee (4) || 24,709 || 24–18 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 43 || May 29 || Pirates || 3–2 || Sanderson (5–2) || Bibby (3–3) || Lee (5) || 36,662 || 25–18 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 44 || May 30 || Pirates || 2–3 || Rhoden (6–0) || Gullickson (2–5) || || 31,649 || 25–19 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 45 || May 31 || Pirates || 5–1 || Rogers (6–3) || Pérez (2–1) || || 45,783 || 26–19 || Boxscore |- y background:#E4002B; color:#FFFFFF June (4–6) (Home: 3–0; Road: 1–6) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Report |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 46 || June 1 || @ Cardinals || 2–4 || || Lea (4–2) || || 14,224 || 26–20 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 47 || June 2 || @ Cardinals || 8–1 || Burris (3–4) || || || 14,697 || 27–20 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 48 || June 3 || @ Cardinals || 2–3 (11 inn.) || || Sosa (1–1) || || 13,085 || 27–21 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 49 || June 4 || @ Cardinals || 1–4 || || Gullickson (2–6) || || 18,958 || 27–22 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 50 || June 5 || @ Reds || 3–6 || || Rogers (6–4) || || || 27–23 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 51 || June 6 || @ Reds || 3–9 || || Lea (4–3) || || || 27–24 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 52 || June 7 || @ Reds || 0–2 || || Burris (3–5) || || || 27–25 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 53 || June 9 || Braves || 12–1 || Sanderson (6–2) || || || || 28–25 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 54 || June 10 || Braves || 11–2 || Gullickson (3–6) || || || || 29–25 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 55 || June 11 || Braves || 7–0 || Rogers (7–4) || || || || 30–25 || Boxscore |- Games cancelled background:#003087; color:#FFFFFF; 1981 Games cancelled y background:#E4002B; color:#FFFFFF April # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Report |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || April 11 || @ Pirates || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || April 14 || Cubs || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- y background:#E4002B; color:#FFFFFF June # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Report |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || June 12 || Reds || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || June 13 || Reds || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || June 14 || Reds || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || June 15 || Astros || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || June 16 || Astros || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || June 17 || @ Braves || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || June 18 || @ Braves || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || June 19 || @ Astros || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || June 20 || @ Astros || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || June 21 || @ Astros || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || June 23 || Mets || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || June 24 || Mets || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || June 25 || Mets || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || June 26 || Cubs || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || June 27 || Cubs || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || June 28 || Cubs || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || June 29 || @ Pirates || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || June 30 || @ Pirates || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- y background:#E4002B; color:#FFFFFF July # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Report |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 1 || Pirates || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 2 || Pirates || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 3 || @ Phillies || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 4 || @ Phillies || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 5 || @ Phillies || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 7 || @ Cubs || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 8 || @ Cubs || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 9 || @ Cubs || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 10 || @ Cardinals || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 11 || @ Cardinals || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 12 || @ Cardinals || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 16 || Dodgers || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 17 || Dodgers || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 18 || Padres || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 19 || Padres || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 20 || Padres || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 21 || Giants || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 22 || Giants || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 24 || @ Dodgers || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 25 || @ Dodgers || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 26 || @ Dodgers || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 28 || @ Giants || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 29 || @ Giants || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 30 || @ Giants || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || July 31 || @ Padres || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- y background:#E4002B; color:#FFFFFF August # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Report |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || August 1 || @ Padres || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || August 2 || @ Padres || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || August 4 || @ Mets || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || August 5 || @ Mets || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || August 6 || @ Mets || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || August 7 || Phillies || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || August 8 || Phillies || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || August 9 || Phillies || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || August 9 || Phillies || colspan=7 |Cancelled (strike) |- Second half background:#003087; color:#FFFFFF; 1981 Regular Season Game Log Second Half (30–23) (Home: 17–11; Road: 13–12) y background:#E4002B; color:#FFFFFF August (11–8) (Home: 6–3; Road: 5–5) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Report |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbcaff;" |align="center" colspan="10"|All-Star Break: NL def. AL at Cleveland Stadium, 5–4 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 56 || August 10 || Pirates || 3–1 || Lee (2–2) || Pérez (2–3) || || 37,275 || 31–25 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 57 || August 11 || Pirates || 3–6 || Tekulve (3–3) || Fryman (3–2) || || 33,045 || 31–26 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 58 || August 12 || @ Pirates || 3–2 || Burris (4–5) || Solomon (5–4) || Lee (6) || 12,069 || 32–26 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 59 || August 13 || @ Pirates || 7–2 || Rogers (8–4) || Tiant (0–1) || || 11,735 || 33–26 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 60 || August 14 || Cardinals || 1–3 || || Sanderson (6–3) || || 40,187 || 33–27 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || August 15 || Cardinals || colspan=7 |Postponed (rain); rescheduled for September 15 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || August 16 || Cardinals || colspan=7 |Postponed (rain); rescheduled for September 16 |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 61 || August 17 || @ Astros || 6–2 || Burris (5–5) || || Fryman (4) || || 34–27 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 62 || August 18 || @ Astros || 2–4 || || Rogers (8–5) || || || 34–28 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 63 || August 19 || @ Astros || 1–9 || || Sanderson (6–4) || || || 34–29 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 64 || August 21 || @ Braves || 4–1 (11 inn.) || Fryman (4–2) || || || || 35–29 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 65 || August 22 || @ Braves || 5–4 || Bahnsen (2–0) || || Reardon (1) || || 36–29 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 66 || August 22 || @ Braves || 1–9 || || Lea (4–4) || || || 36–30 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 67 || August 23 || @ Braves || 1–2 || || Rogers (8–6) || || || 36–31 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 68 || August 25 || Reds || 9–1 || Sanderson (7–4) || || || || 37–31 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 69 || August 26 || Reds || 6–0 || Gullickson (4–6) || || || || 38–31 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 70 || August 27 || Reds || 12–0 || Burris (6–5) || || || || 39–31 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 71 || August 28 || Braves || 3–0 || Rogers (9–6) || || || || 40–31 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 72 || August 29 || Braves || 4–3 || Reardon (1–0) || || || || 41–31 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 73 || August 30 || Braves || 4–5 (12 inn.) || || Lee (2–3) || || || 41–32 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 74 || August 31 || @ Reds || 8–9 || || Lee (2–4) || || || 41–33 || Boxscore |- y background:#E4002B; color:#FFFFFF September (16–14) (Home: 11–8; Road: 5–6) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Report |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 75 || September 1 || @ Reds || 4–3 || Lea (5–4) || || Reardon (2) || || 42–33 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 76 || September 2 || @ Reds || 0–7 || || Bahnsen (2–1) || || || 42–34 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 77 || September 3 || Astros || 1–2 || || Sanderson (7–5) || || || 42–35 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 78 || September 4 || Astros || 0–5 || || Gullickson (4–7) || || || 42–36 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 79 || September 5 || Astros || 5–2 || Burris (7–5) || || || || 43–36 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 80 || September 6 || Astros || 3–4 (12 inn.) || || Sosa (1–2) || || || 43–37 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 81 || September 7 || @ Phillies || 5–4 || Fryman (5–2) || Proly (2–1) || Reardon (3) || 31,401 || 45–36 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 82 || September 8 || @ Phillies || 5–10 || Larson (1–0) || Sanderson (7–6) || || 11,812 || 45–37 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 83 || September 9 || @ Phillies || 8–11 || Reed (4–1) || Fryman (5–3) || Lyle (1) || 25,468 || 45–38 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 84 || September 11 || @ Cubs || 5–6 || Griffin (2–2) || Burris (7–6) || Hernández (2) || 7,204 || 45–39 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 85 || September 12 || @ Cubs || 2–0 || Rogers (10–6) || Bird (4–3) || Reardon (4) || 18,124 || 45–40 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 86 || September 13 || @ Cubs || 10–6 || Sanderson (8–6) || Krukow (6–9) || || 14,589 || 46–40 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 87 || September 15 || Cardinals || 2–3 || || Gullickson (3–8) || || N/A || 46–41 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 88 || September 15 || Cardinals || 4–3 || Lee (3–4) || || Fryman (5) || 41,671 || 47–41 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 89 || September 16 || Cardinals || 1–7 || || Burris (7–7) || || N/A || 47–42 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 90 || September 16 || Cardinals || 4–3 (11 inn.) || Reardon (2–0) || || || 30,222 || 48–42 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 91 || September 17 || Cardinals || 4–7 || || Rogers (10–7) || || 26,390 || 48–43 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 92 || September 18 || Cubs || 11–0 || Sanderson (9–6) || Bird (4–4) || || 23,606 || 49–43 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 93 || September 19 || Cubs || 1–2 || Krukow (7–9) || Lee (3–5) || Martz (4) || 30,099 || 49–44 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 94 || September 20 || Cubs || 4–0 || Gullickson (4–8) || Griffin (2–4) || || 40,851 || 50–44 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 95 || September 21 || Phillies || 1–0 (17 inn.) || Smith (1–0) || Reed (0–1) || || 24,161 || 51–44 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 96 || September 22 || Phillies || 6–2 || Rogers (11–7) || Ruthven (11–6) || || 21,797 || 52–44 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 97 || September 23 || Pirates || 3–2 || Jackson (2–2) || Rhoden (8–4) || || 10,081 || 53–44 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 98 || September 24 || Pirates || 7–1 || Lee (4–5) || Jones (4–4) || || 23,459 || 54–44 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 99 || September 25 || Mets || 6–3 || Gullickson (5–8) || Zachry (7–13) || || 41,354 || 55–44 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 100 || September 26 || Mets || 4–2 || Burris (8–7) || Harris (3–5) || Fryman (6) || 38,821 || 56–44 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 101 || September 27 || Mets || 1–2 || Scott (5–10) || Rogers (11–8) || Allen (18) || 52,089 || 56–45 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 102 || September 28 || @ Cardinals || 2–6 || || Sanderson (9–7) || || 21,216 || 56–46 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 103 || September 29 || @ Cardinals || 4–8 || || Lee (4–6) || || 40,488 || 56–47 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 104 || September 30 || @ Pirates || 3–2 || Gullickson (6–8) || Solomon (8–6) || Fryman (7) || 5,826 || 57–47 || Boxscore |- y background:#E4002B; color:#FFFFFF October (3–1) (Road: 3–1) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record Report |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 105 || October 1 || @ Pirates || 5–2 || Burris (9–7) || Tiant (2–5) || Reardon (5) || 2,931 || 58–47 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 106 || October 2 || @ Mets || 3–0 || Rogers (12–8) || Zachry (7–14) || || 6,720 || 59–47 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | 107 || October 3 || @ Mets || 5–4 || Lee (5–6) || Allen (7–6) || Reardon (6) || 17,954 || 60–47 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 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 Montreal Expos Record vs. opponents MON Notable transactions April 1, 1981: John Tamargo was released by the Expos.John Tamargo Stats https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tamarjo01.shtml 2024-10-19 Baseball-Reference.com en May 29, 1981: Ellis Valentine was traded by the Expos to the New York Mets for Jeff Reardon and Dan Norman.Jeff Reardon Stats https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/reardje01.shtml 2024-10-19 Baseball-Reference.com en June 8, 1981: 1981 Major League Baseball draft Mike Fuentes was drafted by the Expos in the 2nd round.Mike Fuentes Stats https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fuentmi02.shtml 2024-10-19 Baseball-Reference.com en Mark McGwire was drafted by the Expos in the 8th round.Mark McGwire Stats https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcgwima01.shtml 2024-10-19 Baseball-Reference.com en Marvin Freeman was drafted by the Expos in the 9th round, but did not sign.Marvin Freeman Stats https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/freemma02.shtml 2024-10-19 Baseball-Reference.com en Al Newman was drafted by the Expos in the 1st round (12th pick) of the Secondary Phase.Al Newman Stats https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/newmaal01.shtml 2024-10-19 Baseball-Reference.com en 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)1981 Montreal Expos http://www.thebaseballcube.com/teams/stats.asp?Y=1981&T=18 2024-10-19 The Baseball Cube 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 Rodney Scott (baseball) 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 Jerry White (baseball) 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 Brad Mills (infielder) 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 Steve Rogers (baseball) 22 160.2 12 8 3.42 87 Bill Gullickson 22 157.1 7 9 2.80 115 Scott Sanderson Scott Sanderson (baseball) 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 Bill Lee (left-handed pitcher) 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 Tom Gorman (1980s pitcher) 9 15.0 0 0 0 4.20 13 Bryn Smith 7 13.0 1 0 0 2.77 9 Grant Jackson Grant Jackson (baseball) 10 10.2 1 0 0 7.59 4 Rick Engle 1 2.0 0 0 0 18.00 2 Postseason Game log background:#003087; color:#FFFFFF; 1981 Playoff Game Log y background:#E4002B; color:#FFFFFF 1981 National League Eastern Division Series vs. Philadelphia Phillies – Montreal wins series 3–2 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Series Report |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | Game 1 || October 7 || Phillies || 3–1 || Rogers (1–0) || Carlton (0–1) || Reardon (1) || 34,237 || Expos lead 1–0 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | Game 2 || October 8 || Phillies || 3–1 || Gullickson (1–0) || Ruthven (0–1) || Reardon (2) || 45,896 || Expos lead 2–0 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | Game 3 || October 9 || @ Phillies || 2–6 || Christenson (1–0) || Burris (0–1) || || 36,835 || Expos lead 2–1 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | Game 4 || October 10 || @ Phillies || 5–6 (10 inn.) || McGraw (1–0) || Reardon (0–1) || || 38,818 || Series tied 2–2 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | Game 5 || October 11 || @ Phillies || 3–0 || Rogers (2–0) || Carlton (0–2) || || 47,384 || Expos win 3–2 || Boxscore |- y background:#E4002B; color:#FFFFFF 1981 National League Championship Series vs. Los Angeles Dodgers – Los Angeles wins series 3–2 # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Series Report |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | Game 1 || October 13 || @ Dodgers || 1–5 || Hooton (1–0) || Gullickson (0–1) || || 51,273 || Dodgers lead 1–0 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | Game 2 || October 14 || @ Dodgers || 3–0 || Burris (1–0) || Valenzuela (0–1) || || 53,463 || Series tied 1–1 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bfb;" | Game 3 || October 16 || Dodgers || 4–1 || Rogers (1–0) || Reuss (0–1) || || 54,372 || Expos lead 2–1 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | Game 4 || October 17 || Dodgers || 1–7 || Hooton (2–0) || Gullickson (0–2) || || 54,499 || Series tied 2–2 || Boxscore |- style="text-align:center; background:#bbb;" | || October 18 || Dodgers || colspan=7 |Postponed (rain); rescheduled for October 19 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" | 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 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 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 1981 National League Championship Series Game 1 October 13, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles Montreal MON 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 9 0 Los Angeles LAD 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 X 5 8 0 Burt Hooton (1-0) Bill Gullickson (0-1) None Pedro Guerrero (1), Mike Scioscia (1) Pitchers: MON – Gullickson, Reardon (8)  LAD – Hooton, Welch (8), Howe (9) 51,273 Game 2 October 14, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles Montreal MON 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 10 1 Los Angeles LAD 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 Ray Burris (1-0) Fernando Valenzuela (0-1) None None Pitchers: MON – Burris  LAD – Valenzuela, Niedenfuer (7), Forster (7), Pena (7), Castillo (9) 53,463 Game 3 October 16, Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec Los Angeles LAD 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 0 Montreal MON 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 X 4 7 1 Steve Rogers (1-0) Jerry Reuss (0-1) None Jerry White (1) Pitchers: LAD – Reuss, Pena (8)  MON – Rogers 54,372 Game 4 October 17, Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec Los Angeles LAD 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 4 7 12 1 Montreal MON 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 1 Burt Hooton (2-0) Bill Gullickson (0-2) Steve Garvey (1) None Pitchers: LAD – Hooton, Welch (8), Howe (9)  MON – Gullickson, Fryman (8), Sosa (9), Lee (9) Attendance: 54,499 Game 5 October 19, Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec Los Angeles LAD 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 6 0 Montreal MON 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 1 Fernando Valenzuela (1-1) Steve Rogers (1-1) Bob Welch (1) Rick Monday (1) None Pitchers: LAD – Valenzuela, Welch (9)  MON – Burris, Rogers (9) Attendance: 36,491 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 BasesStolen Bases Single Season National League Leaders https://www.baseball-almanac.com/hitting/hisb2nl.shtml 2024-10-19 Baseball Almanac 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 Minor League Baseball 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 References Further reading Johnson Lloyd Wolff Miles The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball 2nd Durham, North Carolina Baseball America 1997 978-0-9637189-8-3 External links 1981 Montreal Expos team at Baseball-Reference 1981 Montreal Expos team at baseball-almanac.com Category:Montreal Expos seasons Montreal Expos season 1981 Category:1981 in Montreal Category:1981 in sports in Quebec