1981 Detroit Tigers season

Updated on Oct 10, 2024

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Owner(s) John Fetzer Manager(s) Sparky Anderson		General manager(s) Jim Campbell
Local television WDIV-TV (George Kell, Al Kaline) ONTV (Larry Adderley, Hank Aguirre, Norm Cash) Local radio WJR (Ernie Harwell, Paul Carey)

The 1981 Detroit Tigers finished in fourth place in the American League East with a record of 31-26 (.544) in the first half of the season, and in third place with a record of 29-23 (.558) in the second half, for an overall record of 60-49. They outscored their opponents 427 to 404. The Tigers drew 1,149,144 fans to Tiger Stadium in 1981, ranking 5th of the 14 teams in the American League.

Offseason

December 12, 1980: Dave Stegman was traded by the Tigers to the San Diego Padres for Dennis Kinney.

January 13, 1981: Mike Sharperson was drafted by the Tigers in the 4th round of the 1981 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign.

March 29, 1981: Jim Lentine was released by the Tigers.

Notable transactions

April 3, 1981: Chris Codiroli was released by the Tigers.

April 3, 1981: Chuck Hensley was released by the Tigers.

August 23, 1981: The Tigers traded a player to be named later to the Minnesota Twins for Ron Jackson. The Tigers completed the deal by sending Tim Corcoran to the Twins on September 4.

Starters by position

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

Other batters

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

Note: pitchers' batting statistics not included

Starting pitchers

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

Other pitchers

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

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W= Wins; L= Losses; SV = Saves; GF = Games finished; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Awards and honors

Kirk Gibson, Tiger of the Year Award, from Detroit baseball writers

Alan Trammell, AL Gold Glove Award, shortstop

1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

Jack Morris, starter, pitcher

League top ten finishers

Kirk Gibson

#3 in AL in batting average (.328)

#4 in AL in Power/Speed Number (11.8)

Steve Kemp

#4 in AL in on-base percentage (.389)

#3 in AL in bases on balls (70)

#3 in AL in times on base (174)

Jack Morris

MLB leader in wins (14) (tied with four others)

MLB leader in bases on balls allowed (78)

#2 in MLB in innings pitched (198)

#2 in MLB in games started (25)

#3 in AL in hits allowed per 9 innings pitched (6.95)

#3 in MLB in complete games (15)

#3 in MLB in batters faced (798)

#6 in AL in home runs allowed (14)

#9 in AL in earned runs allowed (67)

Lance Parrish

#3 in AL in times grounded into double plays (16)

Kevin Saucier

#5 in AL in saves (13)

Alan Trammell

AL leader in sacrifice hits (16)

Lou Whitaker

AL leader in games played (109)

AL leader in games at second base (108)

AL leader in innings at second base (918-1/3)

AL leader in assists by a second baseman (354)

Milt Wilcox

#5 in AL in games started (24)

#5 in AL in hit batsmen (6)

Players ranking among top 100 all time at position

The following members of the 1981 Detroit Tigers are among the Top 100 of all time at their position, as ranked by The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract:

Lance Parrish: 19th best catcher of all time

Lou Whitaker: 13th best second baseman of all time

Alan Trammell: 9th best shortstop of all time

Kirk Gibson: 36th best left fielder of all time

References

1981 Detroit Tigers season Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

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