1981 San Francisco Giants season

The 1981 San Francisco Giants season was the Giants' 99th season in Major League Baseball, their 24th season in San Francisco since their move from New York following the 1957 season, and their 22nd at Candlestick Park. Giants manager Frank Robinson became the first black manager in the history of the National League. Robinson was also the first black manager in the history of the American League.

Offseason

 * December 8, 1980: Chris Bourjos and Bob Knepper were traded by the Giants to the Houston Astros for Enos Cabell.
 * December 9, 1980: DeWayne Buice was drafted from the Giants by the Oakland Athletics in the 1980 minor league draft.
 * December 12, 1980: John Montefusco and Craig Landis (minors) were traded by the Giants to the Atlanta Braves for Doyle Alexander.
 * December 12, 1980: Joe Strain and Philip Nastu were traded by the Giants to the Chicago Cubs for Jerry Martin, Jesús Figueroa, and a player to be named later. The Cubs completed the deal by sending Mike Turgeon (minors) to the Giants on August 11, 1981.
 * February 9, 1981: Joe Morgan was signed as a free agent by the Giants.
 * March 23, 1981: Billy Smith was purchased by the Giants from the Philadelphia Phillies.
 * March 31, 1981: Gorman Heimueller was released by the Giants.

Opening Day starters

 * Vida Blue
 * Enos Cabell
 * Jack Clark
 * Darrell Evans
 * Larry Herndon
 * Johnnie LeMaster
 * Milt May
 * Joe Morgan
 * Billy North

Notable transactions

 * April 20, 1981: Mike Ivie was traded by the Giants to the Houston Astros for Dave Bergman and Jeffrey Leonard.
 * May 17, 1981: Phil Ouellette was signed by the Giants as an amateur free agent.
 * August 3, 1981: Mike Sadek was released by the Giants.

First half

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

Games canceled

 * - style="text-align:center;"
 * Legend:      = Postponement

Second half

 * - style="text-align:center;"
 * Legend:      = Win        = Loss;  = Postponement Bold = Giants 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; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Awards and honors
All-Star Game
 * 1981 Larry Herndon LF, Willie Mac Award
 * Vida Blue, reserve