1981 Montreal Expos season

The 1981 Montreal Expos season was the 13th season in franchise history. They made it to the postseason for the first time in franchise history (the franchise's next appearance in the playoffs was in 2012, as the Washington Nationals). Their playoff run ended in the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Rick Monday hitting a ninth-inning solo home run in game 5, subsequently referred to as "Blue Monday" by Expos fans. This was the closest the Expos ever got to a World Series appearance while in Montreal.

The season was separated into two halves due to the 1981 Major League Baseball strike.

Offseason

 * December 8, 1980: Jack O'Connor was drafted from the Expos by the Minnesota Twins in the rule 5 draft.
 * December 12, 1980: Tony Bernazard was traded by the Expos to the Chicago White Sox for Rich Wortham.
 * December 12, 1980: Willie Montañez was signed as a free agent by the Expos.
 * January 15, 1981: Ken Macha was purchased from the Expos by the Toronto Blue Jays.
 * February 18, 1981: Ray Burris was signed as a free agent by the Expos.

Spring training
After holding spring training at City Island Ball Park in Daytona Beach, Florida, from 1973 to 1980, the Expos returned to West Palm Beach Municipal Stadium in West Palm Beach, Florida – a facility they shared with the Atlanta Braves – for spring training in 1981. It was their fifth season at the stadium; they also had conducted spring training there from 1969 to 1972. The Expos would train at Municipal Stadium through 1997.

Regular season

 * April 29, 1981: Steve Carlton struck out Tim Wallach for the 3000th strikeout of his career.
 * May 10, 1981: Charlie Lea pitched a no-hitter against the San Francisco Giants, defeating them 4–0 at Olympic Stadium. The last out was recorded by Andre Dawson in center field. Lea would go on to shut out the Giants again a week later on four hits in San Francisco for good measure.

Notable transactions

 * April 1, 1981: John Tamargo was released by the Expos.
 * May 29, 1981: Ellis Valentine was traded by the Expos to the New York Mets for Jeff Reardon and Dan Norman.
 * June 8, 1981: 1981 Major League Baseball draft
 * Mike Fuentes was drafted by the Expos in the 2nd round.
 * Mark McGwire was drafted by the Expos in the 8th round.
 * Marvin Freeman was drafted by the Expos in the 9th round, but did not sign.
 * Al Newman was drafted by the Expos in the 1st round (12th pick) of the Secondary Phase.
 * August 20, 1981: Willie Montañez was traded by the Expos to the Pittsburgh Pirates for John Milner.

Major League debuts

 * Batters:
 * Terry Francona (Aug 19)
 * Mike Gates (May 6)
 * Dave Hostetler (Sep 15)
 * Tony Johnson (Sep 27)
 * Wallace Johnson (Sep 8)
 * Pat Rooney (Sep 9)
 * Chris Smith (May 14)
 * Tom Wieghaus (Oct 4)
 * Pitchers:
 * Rick Engle (Sep 2)
 * Tom Gorman (Sep 2)
 * Bryn Smith (Sep 8)

Opening Day starters

 * Gary Carter
 * Warren Cromartie
 * Andre Dawson
 * Larry Parrish
 * Tim Raines
 * Steve Rogers
 * Rodney Scott
 * Chris Speier
 * Ellis Valentine

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; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Montreal Expos vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Montreal wins series, 3–2.


 * October 11, 1981 – Steve Rogers defeats Steve Carlton of the Phillies 3–0 in a pitchers' duel to win the National League Division Series. Rogers drove in two of the three Expos runs to boot singling home Larry Parrish and Chris Speier in the fifth inning. The Expos advance to play the Dodgers who defeated the Astros. Rogers previously defeated Carlton in game one of the series as well.

Game 1
October 13, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

Game 2
October 14, Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles

Game 3
October 16, Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec

Game 4
October 17, Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec

Game 5
October 19, Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec


 * October 19, 1981: Blue Monday. In the decisive Game 5 of their only National League Championship Series, the Expos were defeated at home, 2–1, by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tim Raines opened the bottom of the first with a double against Cy Young Award-winning rookie sensation Fernando Valenzuela and scored on an Andre Dawson double play ball. Valenzuela held the Expos scoreless the rest of the way, however, and the Dodgers tied the game at 1 in the top of the fifth with two hits, a wild pitch and an RBI ground out off Expo starter Ray Burris. The teams remained tied until the top of the ninth, when Expo manager Jim Fanning made a risky decision to relieve Burris with Game 3 winner Steve Rogers. Struggling closer Jeff Reardon was throwing alongside Rogers in the bullpen at the time, but Fanning elected to summon his ace. Rogers retired Steve Garvey and Ron Cey in order, but outfielder Rick Monday homered to put Los Angeles ahead, 2–1, and crush the Expos' hopes of advancing to the World Series. Two-out walks from Gary Carter and Larry Parrish were all that the Expos could muster in the 9th, as Bob Welch preserved the one-run Dodger victory. The Expos lost the NLCS, 3–2, and never returned to the postseason again until 2012 as the Washington Nationals.

Awards and honors

 * Gary Carter, All-Star Game MVP
 * Gary Carter, Gold Glove Award, Catcher
 * Andre Dawson, Gold Glove Award, Outfield
 * Charlie Lea, Pitcher of the Month Award, May
 * Tim Raines, OF, The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award
 * Tim Raines, National League Leader, 71 Stolen Bases

52nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game
All-Star Game
 * Gary Carter, National League catcher, starter
 * Andre Dawson, National League outfield, starter
 * Tim Raines, National League outfield, reserve
 * Dick Williams, National League coach

Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Denver