The 1981 Major League Baseball season culminated with the Los Angeles Dodgers defeating the New York Yankees in the World Series, capturing the franchise's fifth World Series title. The season had a players' strike, which lasted from June 12 to July 31, and split the season into two halves. Teams that won their division in each half of the season advanced to the playoffs. This was the first split season in American League history, and second for the National League, which had played a split season in. The All-Star Game was originally scheduled for July 14, but was canceled due to the strike. It was ultimately played on August 9, as a prelude to the second half of the season, which began the following day.

Standings

American League

National League

Postseason

Bracket

<section begin=Bracket/> <section end=Bracket/> **NOTE:** Due to a [strike](https://bliptext.com/articles/1981-major-league-baseball-strike) in mid-season, the season was divided into a first half and a second half. The division winner of the first half (denoted E1, W1) played the division winner of the second half (denoted E2, W2).

Statistical leaders

Awards and honors

Other awards

Player of the Month

Pitcher of the Month

Home field attendance

Television coverage

Events

January–March

April–June

July–September

October–December

Deaths