The 1981 International League was a Class AAA baseball season played between April 10 and September 16. Eight teams played a 140-game schedule, with the top four teams qualifying for the post-season.
The Columbus Clippers won the Governors' Cup, defeating the Richmond Braves in the final round of the playoffs.
Team changes The Charleston Charlies ended their affiliation with the Texas Rangers and began a new affiliation with the Cleveland Indians.
Teams 1981 International League Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium Charleston Charlies Charleston, West Virginia Cleveland Indians Watt Powell Park Columbus Clippers Columbus, Ohio New York Yankees Franklin County Stadium Pawtucket Red Sox Pawtucket, Rhode Island Boston Red Sox McCoy Stadium Richmond Braves Richmond, Virginia Atlanta Braves Parker Field Rochester Red Wings Rochester, New York Baltimore Orioles Silver Stadium Syracuse Chiefs Syracuse, New York Toronto Blue Jays MacArthur Stadium Tidewater Tides Norfolk, Virginia New York Mets Met Park Toledo Mud Hens Toledo, Ohio Minnesota Twins Lucas County Stadium
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The Columbus Clippers finished with the best record in the league for the third consecutive season.
Standings 1981 IL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed 25 November 2024. International League Team Win Loss % GB Columbus Clippers 88 51 – Richmond Braves 83 56 5 Tidewater Tides 70 68 17.5 Rochester Red Wings 69 70 19 Charleston Charlies 67 72 21 Pawtucket Red Sox 67 73 21.5 Syracuse Chiefs 60 80 28.5 Toledo Mud Hens 53 87 35.5
League Leaders Batting leaders 1981 IL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed 25 November 2024. Stat Player Total AVG Wade Boggs, Pawtucket Red Sox .335 H Wade Boggs, Pawtucket Red Sox 167 R Brett Butler, Richmond Braves 93 2B Wade Boggs, Pawtucket Red Sox 41 3B J.J. Cannon, Syracuse Chiefs 11 HR Steve Balboni, Columbus Clippers 33 RBI Steve Balboni, Columbus Clippers 98 SB Dallas Williams, Rochester Red Wings 51
Pitching leaders 1981 Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed 25 November 2024. Stat Player Total W Ken Dayley, Richmond Braves Larry McWilliams, Richmond Braves 13 ERA Bob Ojeda, Pawtucket Red Sox 2.13 CG Tom Brennan, Charleston Charlies Tom Dixon, Tidewater Tides 11 SV Dale Murray, Syracuse Chiefs 16 SO Ken Dayley, Richmond Braves 162 IP Ken Dayley, Richmond Braves 200
Playoffs The Columbus Clippers won their third consecutive Governors' Cup, defeating the Richmond Braves in three games. The Clippers became the first team in the league to win three straight Governors' Cups and the first team since the Rochester Red Wings from 1928 to 1931 to win at least three consecutive titles. The final round was shortened to a best-of-three series due to poor weather. There were a total of 10 rainouts during the post-season.
Playoff bracket
Awards International League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Brett Butler, Richmond Braves Pitcher of the Year Bob Ojeda, Pawtucket Red Sox Rookie of the Year Cal Ripken Jr., Rochester Red Wings Manager of the Year Eddie Haas, Richmond Braves
All-star team International League all-star team Position All-star Catcher Chris Bando, Charleston Charlies First base Greg Wells, Syracuse Chiefs Second base Brian Giles, Tidewater Tides Shortstop Andre Robertson, Columbus Clippers Third base Cal Ripken Jr., Rochester Red Wings Outfield Sam Bowen, Pawtucket Red Sox Brett Butler, Richmond Braves Gary Rajsich, Tidewater Tides Designated hitter Steve Balboni, Columbus Clippers Pitcher Dale Murray, Syracuse Chiefs Bob Ojeda, Pawtucket Red Sox Manager Eddie Haas, Richmond Braves
See also 1981 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website