The New York Yankees’ 1981 season was the 79th season for the Yankees….when in the ALCS, the Yankees swept the Oakland Athletics for their only American League pennant of the 1980’s….however, they lost in the World Series in six games to the Los Angeles Dodgers….as New York was managed by Gene Michael and Bob Lemon…..while playing at Yankee Stadium.
The 1981 American League Division Series (ALDS)….which was the opening round of the 1981 American League playoffs began on Tuesday, October 6, and ended on Sunday, October 11….as the Division Series were created on August 6 in response to the 1981 Major League Baseball strike….which caused the cancellation of roughly one-third of the regular season between June and August….so, by the time play was resumed….it was decided that the best approach was to have the first-half leaders automatically qualify for postseason play….and thus allow all the teams to begin the second half with a clean slate. The first half and second-half champions in both the East and West divisions would meet in a best-of-five series….ith the winners advancing to the AL Championship Series (ALCS). The teams in the 1981 ALDS were Eastern Division New York Yankees….winners of the 1st half champion at 34 -22 verses the Milwaukee Brewers winners of the 2nd half champion at 31 – 22….where in the Yankees would win the series 3 games to 2….as seen in this video herewith.
The 1981 American League Championship Series was a best-of-five series between the New York Yankees and the Oakland Athletics….wherein due to a strike-shortened season, each team had to win two playoff series to reach the World Series. Oakland had swept the Kansas City Royals three games to none and the Yankees had beaten the Milwaukee Brewers in three games to two in the 1981 American League Division Series….then the Yankees swept the Athletics three games to none in the ALCS….and moved on to the 1981 World Series….where they would lose to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 1981 ALCS was the last year that it was the best of five games….as the MLB League Championship Series would go to a best of seven format in 1982.
