1981 Kansas City Royals season

The 1981 Kansas City Royals season was their 13th in Major League Baseball. The 1981 season was interrupted by a players strike from June 12 to July 31, and resumed on August 10. Major League Baseball officials decided to split the season, and the division winners of both halves would advance to the playoffs. The Royals were 20–30 and in fifth place in the American League West when the strike began, but won the second half with a 30–23 mark. Dick Howser replaced Jim Frey as manager on August 31. Kansas City's overall 50-53 record made the Royals the first team in MLB history to reach the postseason with a losing mark. Kansas City lost to the first half American League West winner Oakland Athletics 3–0 in the ALDS.

Offseason

 * January 6, 1981: Derek Botelho was signed as a free agent with the Kansas City Royals.

Regular season

 * August 10, 1981: Cal Ripken Jr. made his major league debut for the Baltimore Orioles in a game against the Royals.

Notable transactions

 * April 3, 1981: Bombo Rivera was signed as a free agent by the Royals.
 * June 8, 1981: 1981 Major League Baseball draft
 * Dave Leeper was drafted by the Royals in the 1st round (23rd pick). Player signed June 10, 1981.
 * David Cone was drafted by the Royals in the 3rd round. Player signed June 10, 1981.

First half

 * - style="text-align:center;"
 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss       = Postponement Bold = Royals team member

Canceled games

 * - style="text-align:center;"
 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss       = Postponement Bold = Royals team member

Second half

 * - style="text-align:center;"
 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss       = Postponement Bold = Royals team member

Postseason Game log

 * - style="text-align:center;"
 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss       = Postponement Bold = Royals team member

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''

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

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

ALDS
Oakland wins series, 3-0.

Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: GCL Royals Gold