The Cubs lost 91 games in 1983, two more than they had in 1982, the first year of “Building A New Tradition” under Tribune Co. and general manager Dallas Green. In fact, they had hovered around .500 as late as June 19, when they were 30-32, but went 41-59 the rest of the way, the worst record in the National League. That got manager Lee Elia fired.
When spring training began in 1984, the Cubs had made just two significant player moves since the end of the ‘83 season: Acquiring Scott Sanderson by trade and signing Richie Hebner as a free agent.