1981 American Association season
(Redirected from 1981 American Association)
The 1981 American Association season was the 74th in the league's history, and ended with the Denver Bears winning their first league championship since 1977. The playoff format was expanded to include the top two teams in each division, as well.
After the season, the Springfield Redbirds would move to Louisville.
Final standings[edit]
Playoff teams in bold.
East Division | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | Affiliation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Evansville Triplets | 73 | 63 | .537 | -- | Jim Leyland | Detroit Tigers |
Springfield Redbirds | 66 | 70 | .485 | 7 | Tommy Thompson | St. Louis Cardinals |
Indianapolis Indians | 62 | 74 | .456 | 11 | Jim Beauchamp | Cincinnati Reds |
Iowa Oaks | 53 | 82 | .393 | 19½ | Roy Hartsfield/Randy Hundley | Chicago Cubs |
West Division | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | Affiliation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Omaha Royals | 79 | 57 | .581 | -- | Joe Sparks | Kansas City Royals |
Denver Bears | 76 | 60 | .559 | 3 | Felipe Alou | Montreal Expos |
Oklahoma City 89ers | 69 | 67 | .507 | 10 | Jim Snyder | Philadelphia Phillies |
Wichita Aeros | 65 | 70 | .481 | 13½ | Rich Donnelly | Texas Rangers |
Playoffs[edit]
First Round | Championship Finals | |||||||
E1 | Evansville Triplets | 1 | ||||||
W2 | Denver Bears | 3 | ||||||
W1 | Omaha Royals | 0 | ||||||
W2 | Denver Bears | 4 | ||||||
W1 | Omaha Royals | 3 | ||||||
E2 | Springfield Redbirds | 2 |
First Round[edit]
|
|
Championship Finals[edit]
|
League Leaders[edit]
Batting[edit]
- Batting Average Mike Richardt, Wichita, .354
- Runs Scored Bob Dernier, Oklahoma City, 105
- Hits Manny Castillo, Omaha, 182
- Doubles Mike Gates, Denver, 36
- Triples Terry Francona, Denver, 9
- Home Runs George Bjorkman, Springfield, 28
- Runs Batted In Dan Briggs, Denver, 110
- Stolen Bases Dernier, 72
Pitching[edit]
- Wins Bryn Smith, Denver, 15
- Earned Run Average Larry Pashnick, Evansville, 2.89
- Complete Games Smith, 9
- Shutouts Pashnick, 4
- Strikeouts Dave LaPoint, Springfield, 129
- Saves Dennis Lewallyn, Wichita, 25
All-Star Team[edit]
- First Base Dave Hostetler, Denver
- Second Base Mike Richardt, Wichita
- Shortstop Ryne Sandberg, Oklahoma City
- Third Base Manny Castillo, Omaha
- Outfield Dan Briggs, Denver; Terry Francona, Denver; Bob Dernier, Oklahoma City; Paul Householder, Indianapolis
- Catcher George Bjorkman, Springfield; Dave Van Gorder, Indianapolis
- Utility Mike Gates, Denver; Len Matuszek, Oklahoma City
- Pitcher Mike Jones, Omaha; Dennis Lewallyn, Wichita; Jeff Schattinger, Omaha; Bryn Smith, Denver
- Manager Joe Sparks, Omaha
References[edit]
The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. W. Lloyd Johnson and Miles Wolff, editors. Baseball America, 1993.
1982 Baseball Guide
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