CONTENTS

THE BASEBALL PLAYOFFS 26

Kirk Gibson's two big homers led Los Angeles to a 3-2 edge over New York in the National League matchup
by Ron Fimrite

With a performance worthy of the A's of the 1970s, Oakland swept Boston for the American League pennant
by Peter Gammons

PILING UP THE WINS 42
No one is ridiculing coach Sam Wyche or his undefeated (6-0) Cincinnati Bengals this time around
by Paul Zimmerman

SO NEAR, SO FAR 46
Three Soviet hockey and basketball stars soon may be playing for U.S. pro teams—if negotiations work out
by Jack McCallum

QUIET COWBOY RIDIN' HIGH 50
Oklahoma State defeated Colorado behind tailback Barry Sanders, who is the best player you've never heard of
by Rick Reilly

TENNIS IS CHEMISTRY 62
That's the philosophy behind 16-year-old Michael Chang, who may possess the elements to become a champ
by Franz Lidz

SPORTS BEHIND THE WALLS 82
For convicts, are athletics a form of rehabilitation, an outlet for excess energy or just a way to pass the time?
by Rick Telander

DEPARTMENTS

Letters 4
Scorecard 21
Golf 68
Television 72
College Football 74
For The Record 101
Point After 102

Cover Photograph by V.J. Lovero

PHOTO

V.J. LOVERO

GOT THE HANG OF IT?: This youngster, who was at Oakland Coliseum for the fourth game of the Athletics-Red Sox American League playoff series, showed that he had a real nose for the ball (page 34).