 On Opening day of 1981 only 10,672 entered the gates.By 1983, thanks to the exposure of the Chicago Tribune and WGN, Rick Reuschel pitched in front of a crowd of 18,268, yet this was all about to change dramatically.In mid-1983, manager Lee Elia was fired after a profanity-laced tirade against Cub fans and was replaced by Charlie Fox on an interim basis.