In Part 1 recall, I started with this basic rule: Since there were only two divisions back then, I assumed there to be two division winners and three wildcards as opposed to the three division winners and two wildcard spots that we have today.
During this period, the American League East consisted of seven teams. The Blue Jays, Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, Tigers, Brewers and Indians. If you think the American League East is tough today, in 1983 the 6th place team in the East would’ve finished 3rd in the West. The top five teams in the East had 87 wins or more.