On March 27, 1984 Dallas Green orchestrated a trade with his former organization that would help define the ’84 Cubs. The Cubs’ GM traded pitcher Bill “Soup” Campbell along with catcher Mike Diaz to the Philadelphia Phillies for Bob Dernier, Gary Matthews and Porfi Altamirano.
Bob Dernier and Ryne Sandberg became the ‘Daily Double‘ and many have credited ‘the Sarge‘ over the years with taking control of the clubhouse and leading the team to the National League Eastern Division crown…the organization’s first trip to the post-season since 1945. Bob Dernier put together a career year in 1984. He hit .278 with a .356 OBP in 143 games. Dernier, along with Ryne Sandberg, helped fuel the Cubs offense. Dernier hit 26 double, 5 triples, stole 45 bags and scored 94 runs.
Gary Matthews hit .291 for Jim Frey in 1984 with a .410 OBP and a .428 SLG. Matthews added 14 home runs, 21 doubles, scored 101 runs and drove in 82.
Without the late spring additions of Bob Dernier and Gary Matthews the Summer of 1984 would have not been as special and the Chicago Cubs as we know it today would not exist.
This season marks the 25th Anniversary of an incredible summer and from time to time the CCO will remind the Faithful of the more memorable dates and games from a quarter of a century ago.
Cubs Fever…Catch It!