BR minors page
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.
[edit] Final standings
Playoff teams in bold.
[edit] Playoffs
[edit] First Round
| Evansville vs. Denver
|
| Date |
Away |
Home
|
| August 28 |
Evansville 4 |
Denver 2
|
| August 29 |
Evansville 4 |
Denver 6
|
| August 30 |
Denver 15 |
Evansville 4
|
| August 31 |
Denver 7 |
Evansville 5
|
| Denver wins series 3-1
|
|
| Omaha vs. Springfield
|
| Date |
Away |
Home
|
| August 28 |
Omaha 7 |
Springfield 4
|
| August 29 |
Omaha 5 |
Springfield 8
|
| August 30 |
Springfield 5 |
Omaha 2
|
| August 31 |
Springfield 1 |
Omaha 5
|
| September 1 |
Springfield 7 |
Omaha 9
|
| Omaha wins series 3-2
|
|
[edit] Championship Finals
| Omaha vs. Denver
|
| Date |
Away |
Home
|
| September 2 |
Omaha 3 |
Denver 4
|
| September 3 |
Omaha 4 |
Denver 9
|
| September 4 |
Omaha 3 |
Denver 10
|
| September 5 |
Denver 2 |
Omaha 1
|
| Denver wins series 4-0
|
|
[edit] League Leaders
[edit] Batting
- 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
[edit] Pitching
- 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
[edit] All-Star Team
- 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
[edit] References
The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. W. Lloyd Johnson and Miles Wolff, editors. Baseball America, 1993.
1982 Baseball Guide
[edit] External Links
1981 AA - The Baseball Cube
