The 1981 Milwaukee Brewers season was the franchise's 13th overall season and 12th season based in Milwaukee. The Brewers finished first in American League East during the second half of the split season (caused by the 1981 Major League Baseball strike) and compiled an overall record of 62 wins and 47 losses. The team advanced to the postseason for the first time in franchise history due to their second-half first-place finish, but lost to the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series. Rollie Fingers became the first relief pitcher in the history of the American League to win the MVP Award.
Offseason
December 12, 1980: Sixto Lezcano, David Green, Lary Sorensen and Dave LaPoint were traded by the Brewers to the St. Louis Cardinals for Ted Simmons, Rollie Fingers and Pete Vuckovich. January 13, 1981: Ernest Riles was drafted by the Brewers in the 3rd round of the 1981 Major League Baseball draft (Secondary phase). February 21, 1981: Paul Hartzell was signed as a free agent by the Brewers. March 20, 1981: Bob Galasso was released by the Brewers.
Regular season
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Notable transactions
April 1, 1981: John Poff was traded by the Brewers to the Chicago White Sox for Thad Bosley. April 4, 1981: Bill Lyons was released by the Brewers. April 5, 1981: Dan Boitano was purchased from the Brewers by the New York Mets from the Milwaukee Brewers. June 8, 1981: Bryan Clutterbuck was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 7th round of the 1981 amateur draft. July 8, 1981: Paul Hartzell was released by the Brewers.
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
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
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
ALDS
New York wins series, 3-2.
Awards and honors
Cecil Cooper, Silver Slugger Award
Rollie Fingers, American League Cy Young Award
Rollie Fingers, American League MVP
Farm system
The Brewers' farm system consisted of five minor league affiliates in 1981. The Butte Copper Kings won the Pioneer League championship.