Jewel Week: August 23, 1984

Today I've got the fourth and final week of Jewel's 1984 picture giveaway.  Since they are just doing 16 players, even in the final week we get some significant players.

Week four came out on August 23.  The Cubs didn't play that day, having an off day while on a nine game homestand.  They had just taken two of three from the Braves and their lead over the Mets was going back up, now at 5½ games.  This team was getting stronger, unlike their 1969 counterparts.  They finished the home stand with five wins in six games.  The season was going to end well.  At least the regular season was going to end well.

With Bill Buckner traded, Leon Durham settled in as the full time first baseman.  He finished second on the team in both homers and RBIs.

Big Lee Smith was the bullpen ace.  He often made things interesting, but he ended up with 33 saves.  He also had a record of 9-7, which is way more decisions than you'd like to see from your closer.  Like I said, he made things interesting.

Scott Sanderson ended up as the fourth starter in the rotation.  Though with the team the entire season, he made just 24 starts, losing time because of back issues.

Here's the only bench guy of the four, outfielder Gary Woods.  He was used mainly as a late-inning defensive replacement.