1981 Minnesota Twins season


The 1981 Minnesota Twins finished a combined 41–68, seventh in the American League West. In the strike split season, the Twins were 17–39, seventh place in the first half and 24–29, fourth place in the second half. 469,090 fans attended Twins games, the lowest total in the American League. It was also their 21st and final season at Metropolitan Stadium, before moving their home games to the Metrodome the next season. The franchise would not play another outdoor home game until 2010, when Target Field opened.

Offseason

Only one Twins player made the All-Star Game: relief pitcher Doug Corbett.
On August 24, first baseman Kent Hrbek made his major league debut, in a Yankee Stadium game. His twelfth-inning home run beat the Yankees 3-2. Later that week, Herbie was topped by catcher Tim Laudner, who debuted on August 28 and hit home runs in his first two games.
On September 20, Gary Gaetti made his major league debut and started at third base for the Twins. In his first at bat in the second inning, he homered off Texas Rangers pitcher Charlie Hough to become the third Twin to homer in his first-ever at bat. Gaetti joined Rick Renick and Dave McKay. Later, Andre David and Eddie Rosario will join the trio in Twins history.
The Twins played their final game at Metropolitan Stadium on September 30, losing 5-2 to the Kansas City Royals. The club played their last outdoor home game for the next twenty-eight seasons in 56-degree temperature in front of 15,900 fans. "The Met" had been the Twins' home since their Minnesota opener on April 21, 1961. Gary Ward had the final Twins hit in the Met, a single in the ninth inning. Pete Mackanin homered in the second for the final Twins Met Stadium home run.

Offense

batted.268 with 6 HR and 37 RBI. Shortstop Roy Smalley had 7 HR and collected 22 RBI.
StatisticPlayerQuantity
HRRoy Smalley7
RBIMickey Hatcher37
BAJohn Castino.268
RunsGary Ward42

Pitching

Reliever Doug Corbett was the Twins' only bright spot on the mound, racking up 17 saves.
StatisticPlayerQuantity
ERAFernando Arroyo3.93
WinsPete Redfern9
SavesDoug Corbett17
StrikeoutsPete Redfern77

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Notable transactions

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
PosPlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI
3B101381102.268636
SS5616744.263722
LF8529578.264329
CF9937796.255337

Other batters

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Other pitchers

Relief pitchers

Farm system

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Orlando