Dernier was the leadoff hitter for the Cubs' 1984 N.L. East division championship team. Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg batted second and the lead-off pair was dubbed "The Daily Double" by Cubs announcer Harry Caray. Dernier was a member of the 1983 Phillies team, which won the National League pennant but lost the World Series to the Baltimore Orioles, and the 1984 Cubs team which won the NL East but lost in the playoffs to the San Diego Padres. He homered leading off the first inning of Game 1 in the 1984 National League Championship Series to kick off a 13-0 victory for the Cubs, but they dropped the series, three games to two.