Throwback Thursday: 1984

Back before the Internet, media guides were a go-to source of detailed info on every major league team. Every year, as winter turned to spring, I'd write each of the 26 ballclubs on the letterhead of the radio station I worked for, requesting a team's official guidebook.

Thankfully, most of the clubs would send one.

I held onto some of the more interesting guides from the '80s and '90s, generally those tied to notable seasons for specific teams. The 1984 Cubs Media Guide certainly fits the bill.

That was the season the guys from Wrigley Field finally broke a 39-year drought from the post-season. Though the playoffs ended in a painfully disappointing game five loss to the Padres, the Cubs had re-established themselves as a power for the first time since Leo Durocher managed them in the late '60s.

Take a look at the cover photo: it's a keeper! Look at the baseball -- each signed by a Cubs legend. Ernie Banks, "Mister Cub" is just to the left of the Cubs logo. What other names do you recognize?

On the top row, there's Charlie Grimm, Billy Williams and Gabby Harnett. Just below, Hack Wilson (did you know his given name was Louis?) and Frank Chance of "Tinker to Evers to..." fame. Third row from the top, that hard to decipher name is Riggs Stephenson, Phil Cavaretta and Bill Nicholson (he left the swish out of his autograph). Below Ernie and the logo, there's Charlie Root (the pitcher Babe Ruth faced for his "called" home run in the '32 World Series), Stan Hack and Mordecai Brown (yes, Three Finger Brown). Down below, it's Hall of Fame 2nd baseman Billy Herman.

Great names, nicely sprinkled over the decades. And a unique window into Cubs history.