Skip to Main Content

S1 E11 1981: A Season Interrupted

Documentary

TV-G

45m

Feb 17, 2012

1981 was a season interrupted by the players' strike. However, with Fernando-mania in the beginning and a Dodgers' championship at the end, it somehow still felt complete.

Season 1, 24 Episodes

Baseball Seasons - 1959: Something to Prove

1959: Something to Prove,

The underdog White Sox overcome 40 years of futility to become the first team to win the pennant since the infamous Black Sox. In the National League, the Dodgers upset Hank Aaron's Milwaukee Braves to take the pennant.

Baseball Seasons - 1961: A New Era

1961: A New Era,

Baseball came to Minnesota, was replaced in Washington, and came to Los Angeles (again) in the first expansion season in modern history. On the field, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris chased Babe Ruth.

Baseball Seasons - 1965: Pitcher Perfect

1965: Pitcher Perfect,

The Dodgers and Twins face off in a thrilling 7-game World Series with Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale leading Los Angeles past Minnesota's trio of Tony Oliva, Mudcat Grant, and Zoilo Versalles.

Baseball Seasons - 1967: The Impossible Dream

1967: The Impossible Dream,

The St. Louis Cardinals and Bob Gibson cruise to the National League pennant, while four teams battle down to the season's final day to determine the American League champion.

Baseball Seasons - 1968: The Year of the Pitcher

1968: The Year of the Pitcher,

1968 was the year of the pitcher. Bob Gibson set a modern-day record with a 1.12 ERA, while the Tigers had two pitchers with historic seasons. Denny McLain won 31 games during the regular season and Mickey Lolich had three wins in the World Series.

Baseball Seasons - 1969: Amazin'

The league expands to 24 teams and adds a second round of Postseason play. The Amazin' Mets emerge from hapless expansion to miracle World Champions!

Baseball Seasons - 1970: The Birds Soar

1970: The Birds Soar,

The newly formed “Big Red Machine” of the Cincinnati Reds looked to overpower the brilliant pitching staff of the Baltimore Orioles. In the end, the Birds won their second World Series title in five years.

Baseball Seasons - 1971: Greatness in the Game

1971: Greatness in the Game,

Stars highlighted 1971. The All-Star Game featured 20 future Hall of Famers. The ALCS saw Catfish Hunter and Reggie Jackson take on Brooks Robinson and Davey Johnson. In the NLCS, Willie Mays and Willie McCovey battled Willie Stargell and Roberto Clemente

Baseball Seasons - 1974: 715

The great Hank Aaron breaks Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record. The A’s dynasty continues as they roll through the American League and face off with the Dodgers in the World Series

Baseball Seasons - 1975: Agents of Change

1975: Agents of Change,

In arguably one of the greatest World Series ever, the Red Sox take on Cincinnati's Big Red Machine. Carlton Fisk waves his game-winning homer fair in extra innings at Fenway Park to force a Game 7.

Baseball Seasons - 1981: A Season Interrupted

1981: A Season Interrupted,

1981 was a season interrupted by the players' strike. However, with Fernando-mania in the beginning and a Dodgers' championship at the end, it somehow still felt complete.

Baseball Seasons - 1982: Anything Can Happen

1982: Anything Can Happen,

Baseball begins a rebirth after the strike-shortened season in 1981. During Cal Ripken Jr.'s rookie campaign, a dramatic pennant race between the Orioles and Brewers comes down to the last day.

Baseball Seasons - 1983: Charm City

1983: Charm City,

After a season of record-breaking chases and historic milestones, AL MVP Cal Ripken, Jr. and his Orioles emerge as World Champs against the Wheeze Kids from Philadelphia.

Baseball Seasons - 1984: Year of the Tiger

1984: Year of the Tiger,

The Detroit Tigers had a dream season, leading from start to finish while capturing the World Championship for the first time since 1968.

Baseball Seasons - 1985: Diamond Royalty

1985: Diamond Royalty,

Tom Seaver, Phil Niekro, Rod Carew, and Pete Rose all reach personal milestones, while Dwight Gooden has a historic Cy Young campaign. The World Series goes seven games, but not without a bit of controversy at first base.

Baseball Seasons - 2000: Subway Series Renewed

2000: Subway Series Renewed,

The Yankees meet the Mets in the World Series for the first Subway Series in 44 years. The rest of the 2000 postseason is stacked with strong teams such as the White Sox, Mariners, Cardinals, and Giants.

Baseball Seasons - 2001: More Than a Game

2001: More Than a Game,

The 2001 season finishes off with one of the greatest World Series ever played between the D-backs and Yankees. From Opening Day to the final swing, baseball helps to heal a nation.

TV-G 1h 9m 2009

Baseball Seasons - 2003: A Wild Ride

2003: A Wild Ride,

Two of the most unforgettable endings in Postseason history occur in 2003. The Aaron Boone Game takes center stage in the series between the Yankees and Red Sox, while fans of the Marlins and Cubs are left talking about Beckett and Bartman.

Baseball Seasons - 2004: Finally

In 2004, we get the biggest comeback in postseason history and an 86-year-old "curse" is broken. Ichiro Suzuki attempts to break the single-season hit record and Carlos Beltran goes on a power surge during the playoffs.

Baseball Seasons - 2005: Second City Surprise

2005: Second City Surprise,

For the first time since 1917, the Chicago White Sox win the World Series. The club started the season as baseball's hottest team and finished with an 11-1 record during the postseason.

Baseball Seasons - 1977: Turmoil & Triumph

1977: Turmoil & Triumph,

In 1977, the New York Yankees overcome dysfunction in the locker room to win their 21st World Series championship. Tommy Lasorda takes over as the Dodgers skipper.

Baseball Seasons - 1978: Familiar Foes

1978: Familiar Foes,

In 1978, Bucky Dent goes down in Yankees-Red Sox rivalry lore as New York goes on to win back-to-back World Series championships.

Baseball Seasons - 1979: Family

In 1979, Willie Stargell leads the Pittsburgh Pirates, spurned on by the motto "We Are Family". The Pirates meet the Orioles in the World Series.

Baseball Seasons - 1980: Hot Corner Champions

1980: Hot Corner Champions,

In 1980, the AL East saw the Yankees and Orioles win 100 games. Neither team would reach the World Series, as George Brett and the Royals would capture their first pennant. Kansas City would take on the Phillies in an exciting six-game World Series.

Details

Baseball Seasons

Documentary

TV-G

2 Seasons

48m

Relive some of baseball's most memorable seasons as MLB Network chronicles the events that made each of them great.

Watch Free TV Shows

Watch free TV shows, from exciting new releases to timeless classics. Whether you’re into gripping crime shows, fan-favorite sitcoms, reality TV, or acclaimed dramas, watch free full seasons of TV shows On Demand anytime, anywhere.