 When Milwaukee won the AL pennant in , Vuckovich won the Cy Young Award with an 18-6 record and a 3.34 ERA, and once again tied for the league lead with the Baltimore Orioles' Jim Palmer in winning percentage Win-Loss % (.750)

He lost Game Two of the ALCS to the Angels 4-2, and started the decisive fifth game, though not figuring in the decision.In the 1982 World Series, the Cardinals beat him 6-2 in Game Three, and he got a no-decision in the final loss.This was, however, proved to be the zenith of his career, as Vuckovich had been battling shoulder pain for two seasons, and in spring training of , it was discovered that he had torn his rotator cuff.