The 1981 Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 100th season of the

Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...

franchise; their 95th in the

National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team s ...

. The Pirates finished fourth in the

National League East The National League East is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. Along with the American League Central it is one of two divisions to have every member win at least one World Series title. The division was created when the National Leag ...

in the first half of the season with a record of 25–23 and sixth in the second half with a record of 21–33.

Regular season

Officials of the

Louisiana Superdome The Caesars Superdome, commonly known as the Superdome (formerly known as Mercedes-Benz Superdome), is a multi-purpose stadium located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana. It is the home stadium of the New Orleans Saints ...

met with Pirates management in April 1981 about moving the club to New Orleans when the Pirates were unhappy with their lease at

Three Rivers Stadium Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Built ...

Season standings

Record vs. opponents

Game log

, - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 1 , , April 9 , ,

Expos The Montreal Expos (french: link=no, Les Expos de Montréal) were a Canadian professional baseball team based in Montreal, Quebec. The Expos were the first Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located outside the United States. They played in t ...

, , 5–6 , , Fryman , , Tekulve (0–1) , , — , , 40,332 , , 0–1 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 2 , , April 12 , ,

, , 3–2 , , Rhoden (1–0) , , Burris , , Romo (1) , , 8,430 , , 1–1 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 3 , , April 13 , , @

Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has been Citizen ...

, , 1–5 , , Carlton , , Candelaria (0–1) , , — , , 60,404 , , 1–2 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 4 , , April 15 , , @

, , 3–4 (11) , , McGraw , , Romo (0–1) , , — , , 27,450 , , 1–3 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 5 , , April 16 , , @

, , 3–5 , , Ruthven , , Robinson (0–1) , , McGraw , , 26,780 , , 1–4 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 6 , , April 17 , , @

Astros The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West division, having moved to the div ...

, , 4–3 , , Rhoden (2–0) , , Sutton , , Romo (2) , , 39,119 , , 2–4 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 7 , , April 18 , , @

, , 6–3 (11) , , Jackson (1–0) , , Smith , , — , , 29,790 , , 3–4 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 8 , , April 19 , , @

, , 2–0 , , Scurry (1–0) , , Niekro , , Solomon (1) , , 30,394 , , 4–4 , - bgcolor="ffffff" , 9 , , April 22 , ,

Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. They are one of two major league ...

, , 2–2 , , , , , , — , , 7,530 , , 4–4 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 10 , , April 25 , ,

Cardinals Cardinal or The Cardinal may refer to: Animals * Cardinal (bird) or Cardinalidae, a family of North and South American birds **''Cardinalis'', genus of cardinal in the family Cardinalidae **''Cardinalis cardinalis'', or northern cardinal, the ...

, , 1–5 , , Shirley , , Candelaria (0–2) , , — , , 7,334 , , 4–5 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 11 , , April 26 , ,

, , 2–3 , , Kaat , , Jackson (1–1) , , Sutter , , 8,139 , , 4–6 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 12 , , April 28 , , @

, , 8–0 , , Rhoden (3–0) , , Scott , , — , , 6,973 , , 5–6 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 13 , , April 29 , , @

, , 10–0 , , Bibby (1–0) , , Roberts , , — , , 7,175 , , 6–6 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 14 , , April 30 , , @

, , 7–4 , , Candelaria (1–2) , , Jones , , Jackson (1) , , 5,553 , , 7–6 , - , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 15 , , May 1 , ,

, , 3–5 , , Sambito , , Solomon (0–1) , , — , , 7,012 , , 7–7 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 16 , , May 2 , ,

, , 5–4 (12) , , Solomon (1–1) , , Smith , , — , , 21,993 , , 8–7 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 17 , , May 3 , ,

, , 1–3 , , Sutton , , Bibby (1–1) , , Smith , , 10,438 , , 8–8 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 18 , , May 6 , , @

Reds Reds may refer to: General * Red (political adjective), supporters of Communism or socialism * Reds (January Uprising), a faction of the Polish insurrectionists during the January Uprising in 1863 * USSR (or, to a lesser extent, China) during th ...

, , 8–9 , , Hume , , Jackson (1–2) , , — , , 14,551 , , 8–9 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 19 , , May 7 , , @

, , 3–1 , , Rhoden (4–0) , , Soto , , Romo (3) , , , , 9–9 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 20 , , May 7 , , @

, , 7–1 , , Solomon (2–1) , , LaCoss , , — , , 20,301 , , 10–9 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 21 , , May 8 , , @

, , 4–5 , , Shirley , , Bibby (1–2) , , Kaat , , 20,108 , , 10–10 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 22 , , May 9 , , @

, , 0–13 , , Rincon , , Scurry (1–1) , , — , , 21,361 , , 10–11 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 23 , , May 10 , , @

, , 8–2 , , Candelaria (2–2) , , Sorensen , , Romo (4) , , 11,112 , , 11–11 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 24 , , May 11 , , @

Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...

, , 2–3 (10) , , Mahler , , Tekulve (0–2) , , — , , 4,260 , , 11–12 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 25 , , May 12 , , @

, , 0–2 , , Niekro , , Solomon (2–2) , , — , , 9,711 , , 11–13 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 26 , , May 13 , , @

, , 7–5 (13) , , Cruz (1–0) , , Boggs , , Scurry (1) , , 10,638 , , 12–13 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 27 , , May 15 , ,

, , 1–4 , , Price , , Romo (0–2) , , Hume , , 10,592 , , 12–14 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 28 , , May 16 , ,

, , 0–4 , , LaCoss , , Scurry (1–2) , , — , , 11,890 , , 12–15 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 29 , , May 17 , ,

, , 3–4 , , Soto , , Solomon (2–3) , , — , , 11,775 , , 12–16 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 30 , , May 19 , ,

, , 5–0 , , Bibby (2–2) , , Niekro , , — , , 5,514 , , 13–16 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 31 , , May 20 , ,

, , 6–1 , , Rhoden (5–0) , , Walk , , Romo (5) , , 8,351 , , 14–16 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 32 , , May 22 , ,

, , 3–1 , , Perez (1–0) , , Christenson , , — , , 20,695 , , 15–16 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 33 , , May 23 , ,

, , 4–6 , , Proly , , Tekulve (0–3) , , Reed , , 20,340 , , 15–17 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 34 , , May 24 , ,

, , 7–1 , , Bibby (3–2) , , Bystrom , , Cruz (1) , , 21,771 , , 16–17 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 35 , , May 25 , , @ Cubs , , 9–10 (11) , , Tidrow , , Cruz (1–1) , , — , , 18,506 , , 16–18 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 36 , , May 26 , , @ Cubs , , 6–4 , , Tekulve (1–3) , , Krukow , , Romo (6) , , 6,988 , , 17–18 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 37 , , May 27 , , @ Cubs , , 3–2 , , Perez (2–0) , , Reuschel , , — , , 6,970 , , 18–18 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 38 , , May 28 , , @ Cubs , , 9–4 , , Solomon (3–3) , , Caudill , , — , , 7,886 , , 19–18 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 39 , , May 29 , , @

, , 2–3 , , Sanderson , , Bibby (3–3) , , Lee , , 36,662 , , 19–19 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 40 , , May 30 , , @

, , 3–2 , , Rhoden (6–0) , , Gullickson , , — , , 31,649 , , 20–19 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 41 , , May 31 , , @

, , 1–5 , , Rogers , , Perez (2–1) , , — , , 45,784 , , 20–20 , - , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 42 , , June 2 , , Cubs , , 16–3 , , Solomon (4–3) , , Caudill , , — , , 6,437 , , 21–20 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 43 , , June 3 , , Cubs , , 3–2 , , Bibby (4–3) , , Martz , , Romo (7) , , 5,003 , , 22–20 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 44 , , June 4 , , Cubs , , 5–4 (10) , , Tekulve (2–3) , , McGlothen , , — , , 6,740 , , 23–20 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 45 , , June 5 , ,

Giants A giant is a being of human appearance, sometimes of prodigious size and strength, common in folklore. Giant(s) or The Giant(s) may also refer to: Mythology and religion *Giants (Greek mythology) *Jötunn, a Germanic term often translated as 'gi ...

, , 3–5 , , Breining , , Romo (0–3) , , Lavelle , , 8,361 , , 23–21 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 46 , , June 6 , ,

, , 7–6 , , Scurry (2–2) , , Griffin , , Tekulve (1) , , 11,362 , , 24–21 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 47 , , June 7 , ,

, , 3–2 , , Solomon (5–3) , , Blue , , Romo (8) , , 32,244 , , 25–21 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 48 , , June 9 , ,

Padres The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL penna ...

, , 4–7 , , Mura , , Rhoden (6–1) , , Lucas , , 9,145 , , 25–22 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 49 , , June 10 , ,

, , 2–3 , , Eichelberger , , Perez (2–2) , , Lucas , , 9,450 , , 25–23 , - , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 50 , , August 10 , , @

, , 1–3 , , Lee , , Perez (2–3) , , — , , 37,275 , , 25–24 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 51 , , August 11 , , @

, , 6–3 , , Tekulve (3–3) , , Fryman , , — , , 33,045 , , 26–24 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 52 , , August 12 , ,

, , 2–3 , , Burris , , Solomon (5–4) , , Lee , , 12,069 , , 26–25 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 53 , , August 13 , ,

, , 2–7 , , Rogers , , Tiant (0–1) , , — , , 11,735 , , 26–26 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 54 , , August 15 , , @ Cubs , , 3–4 (15) , , Martz , , Scurry (2–3) , , — , , 15,388 , , 26–27 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 55 , , August 16 , , @ Cubs , , 4–3 (11) , , Tekulve (4–3) , , Smith , , Jackson (2) , , , , 27–27 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 56 , , August 16 , , @ Cubs , , 4–6 , , Howell , , Perez (2–4) , , Martz , , 18,991 , , 27–28 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 57 , , August 17 , ,

, , 1–5 (11) , , Minton , , Scurry (2–4) , , — , , 7,117 , , 27–29 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 58 , , August 18 , ,

, , 2–4 , , Whitson , , Tiant (0–2) , , Minton , , 9,362 , , 27–30 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 59 , , August 19 , ,

, , 7–3 , , Jones (1–0) , , Alexander , , Jackson (3) , , 8,414 , , 28–30 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 60 , , August 21 , ,

, , 4–2 , , Rhoden (7–1) , , Mura , , Jackson (4) , , , , 29–30 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 61 , , August 21 , ,

, , 3–2 , , Bibby (5–3) , , Lollar , , Tekulve (2) , , 19,049 , , 30–30 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 62 , , August 22 , ,

, , 6–7 , , Curtis , , Tekulve (4–4) , , Lucas , , 11,865 , , 30–31 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 63 , , August 23 , ,

, , 5–2 , , Scurry (3–4) , , Welsh , , Romo (9) , , 23,736 , , 31–31 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 64 , , August 24 , ,

Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...

, , 0–3 , , Hooton , , Jones (1–1) , , — , , 12,308 , , 31–32 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 65 , , August 25 , ,

, , 7–9 (11) , , Pena , , Tekulve (4–5) , , Niedenfuer , , 16,770 , , 31–33 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 66 , , August 26 , ,

, , 6–16 , , Reuss , , Rhoden (7–2) , , — , , 11,144 , , 31–34 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 67 , , August 27 , , @

, , 4–5 (13) , , Holland , , Robinson (0–2) , , — , , 10,807 , , 31–35 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 68 , , August 28 , , @

, , 1–5 , , Whitson , , Scurry (3–5) , , — , , 8,418 , , 31–36 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 69 , , August 29 , , @

, , 3–8 , , Alexander , , Tiant (0–3) , , — , , 10,738 , , 31–37 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 70 , , August 30 , , @

, , 0–5 , , Griffin , , Perez (2–5) , , — , , 18,117 , , 31–38 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 71 , , August 31 , , @

, , 5–4 (10) , , Jones (2–1) , , Stewart , , Robinson (1) , , 35,862 , , 32–38 , - , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 72 , , September 1 , , @

, , 2–3 (14) , , Niedenfuer , , Jones (2–2) , , — , , 50,134 , , 32–39 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 73 , , September 2 , , @

, , 2–6 , , Welch , , Long (0–1) , , Pena , , 32,027 , , 32–40 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 74 , , September 3 , , @

, , 7–3 , , Tiant (1–3) , , Eichelberger , , Scurry (2) , , 6,153 , , 33–40 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 75 , , September 4 , , @

, , 4–5 , , Littlefield , , Robinson (0–3) , , Show , , 8,128 , , 33–41 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 76 , , September 5 , , @

, , 2–1 , , Rhoden (8–2) , , Mura , , Scurry (3) , , 7,297 , , 34–41 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 77 , , September 6 , , @

, , 9–5 , , Solomon (6–4) , , Wise , , Robinson (2) , , 4,177 , , 35–41 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 78 , , September 7 , ,

, , 2–1 , , Jones (3–2) , , Allen , , Scurry (4) , , , , 36–41 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 79 , , September 7 , ,

, , 5–4 , , Long (1–1) , , Boitano , , Lee (3) , , 9,935 , , 37–41 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 80 , , September 8 , ,

, , 1–3 , , Lynch , , Tiant (1–4) , , Allen , , 5,383 , , 37–42 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 81 , , September 9 , ,

, , 3–5 , , Leach , , Perez (2–6) , , Searage , , 7,089 , , 37–43 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 82 , , September 11 , ,

, , 0–8 , , Carlton , , Rhoden (8–3) , , — , , 12,799 , , 37–44 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 83 , , September 12 , ,

, , 6–2 , , Solomon (7–4) , , Noles , , Scurry (5) , , 11,370 , , 38–44 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 84 , , September 13 , ,

, , 3–2 , , Jones (4–2) , , Reed , , Tekulve (3) , , 16,493 , , 39–44 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 85 , , September 15 , , @ Cubs , , 8–2 , , Tiant (2–4) , , Griffin , , — , , 5,254 , , 40–44 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 86 , , September 18 , , @

, , 7–6 , , Scurry (4–5) , , Reed , , Lee (4) , , 24,537 , , 41–44 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 87 , , September 19 , , @

, , 2–8 , , Larson , , Jones (4–3) , , Christenson , , 30,446 , , 41–45 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 88 , , September 20 , , @

, , 4–5 , , Lyle , , Solomon (7–5) , , — , , 31,489 , , 41–46 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 89 , , September 21 , , @

, , 3–4 (13) , , Boitano , , Lee (0–1) , , — , , 7,429 , , 41–47 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 90 , , September 22 , , @

, , 5–3 , , Bibby (6–3) , , Scott , , Scurry (6) , , 6,855 , , 42–47 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 91 , , September 23 , , @

, , 2–3 , , Jackson , , Rhoden (8–4) , , — , , 10,081 , , 42–48 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 92 , , September 24 , , @

, , 1–7 , , Lee , , Jones (4–4) , , — , , 23,459 , , 42–49 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 93 , , September 25 , , @

, , 5–4 , , Solomon (8–5) , , Kaat , , Scurry (7) , , 15,377 , , 43–49 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 94 , , September 26 , , @

, , 3–5 , , Forsch , , Lee (0–2) , , Sutter , , 19,761 , , 43–50 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 95 , , September 27 , , @

, , 5–7 , , LaPoint , , Perez (2–7) , , Sutter , , 17,703 , , 43–51 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 96 , , September 28 , , Cubs , , 4–0 , , Rhoden (9–4) , , Griffin , , — , , , , 44–51 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 97 , , September 28 , , Cubs , , 1–3 , , Geisel , , Long (1–2) , , Martz , , 3,698 , , 44–52 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 98 , , September 29 , , Cubs , , 10–6 , , Romo (1–3) , , Tidrow , , — , , 3,439 , , 45–52 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 99 , , September 30 , ,

, , 2–3 , , Gullickson , , Solomon (8–6) , , Fryman , , 5,826 , , 45–53 , - , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 100 , , October 1 , ,

, , 2–5 , , Burris , , Tiant (2–5) , , Reardon , , 2,931 , , 45–54 , - bgcolor="ccffcc" , 101 , , October 2 , ,

, , 8–7 , , Tekulve (5–5) , , Sutter , , — , , 2,348 , , 46–54 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 102 , , October 3 , ,

, , 3–8 , , Martin , , Camacho (0–1) , , — , , 3,589 , , 46–55 , - bgcolor="ffbbbb" , 103 , , October 4 , ,

, , 0–4 , , Shirley , , Jones (4–5) , , — , , 10,022 , , 46–56 , - , - , ''Legend: = Win = Loss = Tie
Bold = Pirates team member''

Roster

Opening Day Lineup

1981 Opening Day Lineup
at ''Baseball-Reference''

Player stats

;Batting ''Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in'' ;Pitching ''Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts''

Awards and honors

1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game The 1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 52nd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League (AL) and National League (NL), the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on Sunday, ...

Dave Parker David Gene Parker (born June 9, 1951), nicknamed "The Cobra," is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a right fielder from 1973 to 1991. A seven-time All-Star, Parker won two National League bat ...

, RF, starter *

Bill Madlock Bill "Mad Dog" Madlock, Jr. (born January 12, 1951) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a third baseman from 1973 to 1987. Madlock is notable for being a four-time National League b ...

, 3B, reserve *

Mike Easler Michael Anthony Easler (born November 29, 1950), nicknamed "The Hit Man", is an American former professional baseball outfielder, designated hitter, and coach, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, California Angels, Pi ...

, OF, reserve *

Phil Garner Philip Mason Garner (born April 30, 1949) is an American former professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as an infielder with the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and ...

, 2B, reserve

Transactions

*October 22, 1980 – Jesse Jefferson granted free agency. *October 22, 1980 – John Milner granted free agency. *October 29, 1980 – Traded a player to be named later and cash to the Seattle Mariners. Received Odell Jones. The Pittsburgh Pirates sent Larry Andersen (October 29, 1980) to the Seattle Mariners to complete the trade. *December 9, 1980 – Traded Bert Blyleven and Manny Sanguillén to the Cleveland Indians. Received Gary Alexander, Victor Cruz, Bob Owchinko and Rafael Vasquez. *January 13, 1981 – Drafted John Kruk in the 3rd round of the 1981 amateur draft (January), but did not sign the player. *January 19, 1981 – Signed Larvell Blanks as a free agent. *January 20, 1981 – Signed Rusty Torres as a free agent. *January 23, 1981 – Signed John Milner as a free agent. *February 23, 1981 – Signed Luis Tiant as a free agent. *April 1, 1981 – Traded Mickey Mahler and Ed Ott to the California Angels. Received Jason Thompson. *April 5, 1981 – Purchased Jim Smith from the Baltimore Orioles. *April 5, 1981 – Traded Dave Dravecky to the San Diego Padres. Received Bobby Mitchell (minors). *April 6, 1981 – Traded Bob Owchinko to the Oakland Athletics. Received a player to be named later and cash. The Oakland Athletics sent Ernie Camacho (April 10, 1981) to the Pittsburgh Pirates to complete the trade. *May 4, 1981 – Signed Willie Horton as a free agent. *June 8, 1981 – Drafted Ray Krawczyk in the 1st round (4th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft (June Secondary). *June 8, 1981 – Drafted Jim Winn in the 1st round (14th pick) of the 1981 amateur draft. *June 8, 1981 – Drafted Lee Tunnell in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft. *June 8, 1981 – Drafted Bip Roberts in the 5th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but did not sign the player. *June 8, 1981 – Drafted Scott Bankhead in the 17th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but did not sign the player. *June 8, 1981 – Drafted Chris Bosio in the 29th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but did not sign the player. *June 8, 1981 – Drafted Lance Johnson in the 30th round of the 1981 amateur draft, but did not sign the player. *June 25, 1981 – Signed Denny González as an amateur free agent. *July 11, 1981 – Signed Bobby Bonilla as an amateur free agent. *August 20, 1981 – Traded John Milner to the Montreal Expos. Received Willie Montañez. *August 31, 1981 – Traded Phil Garner to the Houston Astros. Received players to be named later and Johnny Ray. The Houston Astros sent Randy Niemann (September 9, 1981) and Kevin Houston (minors) (September 9, 1981) to the Pittsburgh Pirates to complete the trade. *September 1, 1981 – Sold Grant Jackson to the Montreal Expos for $50,000. *October 5, 1981 – Released Luis Tiant. *October 23, 1981 – Purchased Manny Sarmiento from the Boston Red Sox. *October 26, 1981 – Released Kurt Bevacqua.

Farm system

Notes

References

1981 Pittsburgh Pirates
at ''Baseball Reference''
1981 Pittsburgh Pirates
at ''Baseball Almanac'' * {{Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh Pirates seasons Pittsburgh Pirates season Pitts