IN THE EYE OF THE STORM

Rains of near-Biblical persistence added nature's wrath last week to the autumnal anxiety Boston Red Sox fans are heir to. But there, calm center of the disturbance, stood old Luis Tiant, fogging them in at Fenway. By shutting out the Indians Friday night, he began the final dismantling of Baltimore's frail hopes. One day later New England's tension came to an end; the divisional title was Boston's.

Or was the anguish just beginning? Heading east to open the playoffs against the Red Sox are the world champion A's. And having been in this position so often, Oakland has something to tell bumptious Boston. "When we're in the playoffs," says Team Captain Sal Bando, "I find myself waking up in the middle of the night, worrying. I never do that during the season or the World Series. Lots of the guys can't even eat during the playoffs." Says Reggie Jackson: "The playoffs ain't the same game. The balls aren't the same balls, the bats aren't the same length, it's further between the bases." For what lies ahead, turn the page.

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