The 1981 Split Season Championship
The 1981 split season saw the Dodgers defeat the Montreal Expos in the NLCS.
In 1981, the Major League season was interrupted by a players' strike. Due to the two-month strike, the owners tried to create an equitable solution. So on August 6, the owners decided to split the 1981 season into two halves, with the first-place teams from each half in each division (or a wild card team if the same club won both halves) meeting in a best-of-five divisional playoff series. The four survivors would then move on to the two best-of-five League Championship Series. The extra round of postseason playoffs were won by the Yankees, Athletics, Expos, and Dodgers.
Quick Facts
- Year
- 1981
- Manager
- Tommy Lasorda
- Key player
- Fernando Valenzuela
- Outcome
- World Series Champions
- Mvp of world series
- Ron Cey
- Pedro Guerrero
- Steve Yeager (Shared)
Lore & Background
The 1981 split season was implemented after a players' strike interrupted the season. The Dodgers won the extra round of postseason playoffs, advancing to the World Series. Their opponent in the National League Championship Series was the Montreal Expos.
Reader's Guide
The 1981 split season in Major League Baseball was a one-time format used to address the strike-shortened season. The first-place teams from each half in each division met in a best-of-five divisional playoff series, with the winners advancing to the best-of-five League Championship Series.
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