1981 Baltimore Orioles season

The 1981 Baltimore Orioles season was the franchise's 28th season based in Baltimore and 81st overall season as a member of the American League. Games were suspended for 50 days due to the 1981 Major League Baseball strike, causing a split season. The Orioles competed as members of the American League East, finishing second in the first half of the season and fourth in the second half of the season; their overall record was 59 wins and 46 losses. The Orioles hit five grand slams, the most in MLB in 1981.

Offseason

December 15, 1980: Paul Hartzell was released by the Orioles.
January 22, 1981: Joe Kerrigan and John Buffamoyer (minors) were traded by the Orioles to the Cincinnati Reds for Mike Grace and John Hale.

Regular season

August 10, 1981: Cal Ripken Jr. made his major league debut in a game against the Kansas City Royals.

Notable transactions

April 1, 1981: Kiko Garcia was traded by the Orioles to the Houston Astros for Chris Bourjos and cash.
June 8, 1981: 1981 Major League Baseball draft
Jeff Schaefer was drafted by the Orioles in the 12th round.
Cecil Fielder was drafted by the Orioles in the 31st round, but did not sign.

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Roster

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

Tied with Tony Armas (Oakland), Dwight Evans (Boston) and Bobby Grich (California) for league lead.

Other batters

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

Pitching

Starting pitchers

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

Tied with Steve McCatty (Oakland), Jack Morris (Detroit) and Pete Vuckovich (Milwaukee) for league lead.

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; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Awards and honors

Dennis MartÃÂnez, American League Leader Victories (14)

All-Star Game

Farm system

<small>LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Hagerstown</small>