The 1981 Major League Baseball strike was the first work stoppage in Major League Baseball since the 1972 Major League Baseball strike that resulted in regular season games being cancelled. Overall, it was the fourth work stoppage since 1972….but actions in 1973, 1976, and 1980 did not result in any regular season games being cancelled.
The 1981 MLB strike began on June 12th….while eventually forcing the cancellation of 713 games (or 38% of the Major League schedule)….which took place in the middle of the regular season…..as the two sides reached an agreement on July 31st….and play resumed on August 9 with the All-Star Game….with regular season play resuming one day later.
An estimated $146,000,000 USD was lost in player salaries, ticket sales, broadcast revenues and concession revenues…..while the players lost $4 million a week in salaries….as the owners suffered a total loss of $72 million.
This video seen herewith was produced by NBC Sports immediately after the 1981 MLB strike reached an agreement to end….and shown in their pregame show prior to the telecast of the 1st game back….the 1981 All Star Game….and is an absolutely “rare diamond” in our treasure chest of vintage memories here at ImaSportsphile.
