The following are the baseball events of the year 1981 throughout the world.

Champions

Major League Baseball

• World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees (4–2); Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero, and Steve Yeager, co-MVPs

NOTE: Due to a strike in mid-season, the season was divided into a first half and a second half. The division winner of the first half (denoted East 1, West 1) played the division winner of the second half (denoted East 2, West 2).

• American League Championship Series MVP: Graig Nettles
• National League Championship Series MVP: Burt Hooton
• All-Star Game, August 9 at Cleveland Stadium: National League, 5–4; Gary Carter, MVP

Other champions

• Minor League Baseball
  • AAA
    • American Association: Denver Bears (Montreal Expos)
    • International League: Columbus Clippers (New York Yankees)
    • Pacific Coast League: Albuquerque Dukes (Los Angeles Dodgers)
    • Mexican League: Diablos Rojos del México
  • AA
    • Eastern League: Bristol Red Sox (Boston Red Sox)
    • Southern League: Orlando Twins (Minnesota Twins)
    • Texas League: Jackson Mets (New York Mets)
  • A
    • California League: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Los Angeles Dodgers)
    • Carolina League: Hagerstown Suns (Baltimore Orioles)
    • Florida State League: Daytona Beach Astros (Houston Astros)
    • Midwest League: Wausau Timbers (Seattle Mariners)
    • South Atlantic League: Greensboro Hornets (New York Yankees)
    • New York–Penn League: Oneonta Yankees (New York Yankees)
    • Northwest League: Medford Athletics (Oakland Athletics)
  • Rookie
    • Appalachian League: Paintsville Yankees (New York Yankees)
    • Gulf Coast League: Royals Gold (Kansas City Royals)
    • Pioneer League: Butte Copper Kings (Milwaukee Brewers)

International

• Cuban National Series: Vegueros de Pinar del Río
• Japan Series: Yomiuri Giants over Nippon-Ham Fighters (4–2)

Winter Leagues

• 1981 Caribbean Series: Leones del Escogido
• Dominican Republic League: Leones del Escogido
• Mexican Pacific League: Yaquis de Obregón
• Puerto Rican League: Criollos de Caguas
• Venezuelan League: Leones del Caracas

College

• College World Series: Arizona State

Youth

• Big League World Series: Taipei, Taiwan
• Junior League World Series: Boardman, Ohio
• Little League World Series: Tai-Ping, Taichung, Taiwan
• Senior League World Series: Georgetown, Delaware

Awards and honors

• Baseball Hall of Fame
  • Rube Foster
  • Bob Gibson
  • Johnny Mize
• Most Valuable Player
  • Rollie Fingers, Milwaukee Brewers, P (AL)
  • Mike Schmidt, Philadelphia Phillies, 3B (NL)
• Cy Young Award
  • Rollie Fingers, Milwaukee Brewers (AL)
  • Fernando Valenzuela, Los Angeles Dodgers (NL)
• Rookie of the Year
  • Dave Righetti, New York Yankees, P (AL)
  • Fernando Valenzuela, Los Angeles Dodgers, P (NL)
• Gold Glove Award
  • Mike Squires (1B) (AL)
  • Frank White (2B) (AL)
  • Buddy Bell (3B) (AL)
  • Alan Trammell (SS) (AL)
  • Dwight Evans (OF) (AL)
  • Rickey Henderson (OF) (AL)
  • Dwayne Murphy (OF) (AL)
  • Jim Sundberg (C) (AL)
  • Mike Norris (P) (AL)

MLB statistical leaders

Major league Baseball final standings

First half of season