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. This was also their last time winning a playoff series until 2019, which they won the Wild Card game. In addition, their 31-year playoff drought after this season is currently the longest in the Divisional era. The season was separated into two halves due to the 1981 Major League Baseball strike.

Offseason

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

Game log

First half

Games cancelled

Second half

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Notable transactions

Major League debuts

Opening Day starters

Roster

Player stats

Batting

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''

Pitching

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

Postseason

Game log

National League Division Series

Montreal Expos vs. Philadelphia Phillies

Montreal wins series, 3–2.

National League Championship Series

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

Awards and honors

52nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game

All-Star Game

Farm system

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Denver