CONTENTS

8 The Bucs Stop Here?
There was more low comedy than high achievement in the crazy, mixed-up National League East. But suddenly there was a real race as well when the big bats of the front-running Pittsburgh Pirates fell silent and the Philadelphia Phillies, though booed by fans who are never silent, and the St. Louis Cardinals closed in. by Ron Fimrite, Larry Keith and Pat Jordan

14 The 3:49.4 Special
New Zealand's John Walker delivered on his promise—a world record in the mile
by Kenny Moore

18 'A Fresh Start with Bart'
Green Bay fans are hoping that the return of Starr is also a return to winning
by Edwin Shrake

24 Golden Gateway to Heaven
A 34,000-acre paradise outside San Francisco is now a Federal park
by Donald Dale Jackson

40 Still Football über Alles
An NCAA convention cut costs of minor sports, but left the game almost intact
by Frank Deford

50 By Hook or by Crook
Bill Riordan and Donald Dell continue their boundary disputes in tennis' green pastures
by Curry Kirkpatrick

The Departments

4 Scorecard
35 TV/Radio
36 Baseball
42 Harness Racing
44 Sailing
46 Nature
61 For the Record
62 19th Hole

Credits on page 61

Cover photograph by Heinz Kluetmeier

ILLUSTRATION

Arnold Roth

1

Next Week

Old King Kong would have had his paws full with Shotputter Brian Oldfield, who's just crazy enough to have taken him on. Curry Kirkpatrick profiles the giant whose revolutionary style has made him the best in the world.

Hard-Riding, Hard-Living Tony DeSpirito rode a record 390 winners at the age of 16 and was dead at 39. In between he had lots of Caddys, lots of ladies, lots of J&B and lots of bad luck. Frank Deford remembers "The Kid."