The Cubs did improve in 1982 over 1981, even though they still lost 89 games. Dallas Green continued the makeover of the franchise with a number of deals in ‘83 that helped lay a base for what happened in 1984.
Let’s remember some guys!
January 19: Acquired Ron Cey from the Dodgers for Vance Lovelace and Dan Cataline
While Cey was definitely on the downside of his career at age 35, he had enough left in the tank to hit 84 home runs in three-plus years with the Cubs and receive some downballot MVP votes in 1984.