Hebner hit a game-winning three-run home run on opening day of the 1981 season. Soon afterwards, however, he would fall into the worst slump of his career. Following an RBI single in the second game of the season, Hebner would not collect another RBI for the rest of April. His batting average hovered below .200 for most of the first half of the season, inching just barely over the "Mendoza Line" (.206) when the players' strike came. His hitting improved slightly when play resumed (.253) to bring him to .226 with five home runs and 28 RBIs for the season.