
CONTENTS
22 The Baseball Playoffs
The Reds twice sped past Philly, while New York and Kansas City played to an American standoff
26 The Two-for-One Special
Minnesota won the first half, Chicago took the second—so the Vikings won on points
by Robert F. Jones
28 Almost Even in an Odd Year
James Hunt pulled closer to Niki Lauda with a victory in the U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen
by Sam Moses
30 The Fabulous Invalid
Bobby Orr and his $3 million knees survived Week 1 with the Chicago Black Hawks
by Peter Gammons
Hockey 1976-77
36 Orr has moved on, Cleveland and Denver have moved in—but Montreal should stay on top
38 Peacefully, persistently, the Swedes are handling sticks that were once for Canadians only
42 Comprehensive NHL and WHA scouting reports say Montreal and Winnipeg will win again
88 Dangerous Delusion
True exponents of karate fear that some martial arts students are fantasizing invincibility
by Richard W. Johnston
The Departments
17 Scorecard
54 College Football
64 Harness Racing
68 Pro Football
74 Volleyball
78 Sporting Look
82 Walking
109 For the Record
110 19th Hole
Cover photograph by Walter Iooss Jr.
Credits on page 109
PHOTO
22
PHOTO
26
PHOTO
28
PHOTO
30
PHOTO
38
ILLUSTRATION
88
Next Week
Its good-by ABA, hello NBA as pro basketball gets set to begin its merger season. Curry Kirkpatrick considers the impact of teams like Denver and players like Julius Erving on the older league; Dave QeBusschere—the ABA's last commissioner—points out areas in which his men will have to adjust; and Ray Kennedy profiles Larry O'Brien, the man who made the merger. Plus the opening volleys of the World Series, football and a Foreman-Duran fight doubleheader.