On Monday, September 24, 1984 the Chicago Cubs accomplished a feat the organization had not done in 39 years … they won a pennant. Rick Sutcliffe allowed only two hits, faced 28 batters in nine innings and the Cubs defeated the Pirates in Pittsburgh, 4-1.
Rick Sutcliffe struck out Joe Orsulak for the final out … Jody Davis pumped his fist and the celebration began.
The Chicago Cubs won the National League Eastern Division crown for the first time and advanced to baseball’s postseason after a magical summer on the North Side of Chicago. A very small crowd of 5,472 fans was in attendance at Three Rivers Stadium to see the Cubs win the NL East. Rick Sutcliffe improved to 16-1 since being acquired from the Indians with his 14th straight win. Gary Matthews and Sutcliffe each recorded RBI and Ryne Sandberg was 2-for-5 with two runs scored on his way to the 1984 NL MVP.
Box Score and Play-by-Play from Baseball Reference.com
Cubs Fever…Catch It!
More from the CCO on the 1984 NL Eastern Division Champions
- Looking Back at ’84: The Sandberg Game
- Looking Back at ’84: Cubs Acquire Denier and Matthews
- The Magic of 1984
- Revisiting Orwell