Pictures '89

Images from a year of roses and thorns

Riverfront gambler: For months Pete Rose sparred with his inquisitors, before being banned from baseball.

Sky five: In Cleveland, Reggie Langhorne (88) and Webster Slaughter raised self-congratulation to dazzling new heights.

Blood money: Moments after nailing Frank Bruno with this uppercut, Mike Tyson had a fifth-round TKO and $8 million.

Rocket man: Bruno Gouvy aimed himself earthward on a descent that reached 335 mph—before his chute opened.

Athletic ability: Oakland's Dave Henderson executed a handstand on third base, but Angel Jack Howell wasn't particularly impressed.

End of the line: Lawrence Wilson of Southeast Missouri had a bawl after North Carolina Central's win in the Division II title game.

Body parts: A rugby player in England faced a fist; Texas's Julio Franco got the cold shoulder from Toronto's Kelly Gruber.

Judgment day: No matter that rhythmic gymnast Wang Xiaoyan soared, the panel at this French meet seemed bored.

A face in the crowd: The outlook for Louisville quarterback Browning Nagle wasn't good against the West Virginia defense.

Net result: In his typical knee-scraping fashion, Boris Becker went flat out to hit a drop-shot winner in the U.S. Open.

Rapt audience: Before wondering eyes on a Brooklyn corner, Brian Cleaver pressed onward in the New York City Marathon.

Aquatic sports: In the Ryder Cup, Payne Stewart splashed his way toward 18; in Miami, E.J. Junior looked every bit a true dolphin.

Great escape: Mauricio Gugelmin of Brazil somehow avoided injury after his car flipped over in the French Grand Prix.

Candid camera: Larry Roberts was the picture of relief and exhaustion in the seconds after his 49ers won Super Bowl XXIII.

Special K: After 20 illustrious NBA seasons, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar retired, leaving a basketful of records for others to aim at.

FIFTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS

BARBARA ENSOR

PHOTO

DAVID WALBERG

PHOTO

HEINZ KLUETMEIER

PHOTO

ANTHONY NESTE/HBO

PHOTO

MAX COLIN/SIPA

PHOTO

V.J. LOVERO

PHOTO

CARL SKALAK

PHOTO

SIMON BRUTY/ALLSPORT

PHOTO

JERRY WACHTER

PHOTO

JEAN-MARC LOUBAT/VANDYSTADT

TWO PHOTOS

JOHN BIEVER

PHOTO

JIM BOURG/GAMMA-LIAISON

PHOTO

JACQUELINE DUVOISIN

PHOTO

PHIL SHELDON

PHOTO

PASCAL RONDEAU/VANDYSTADT

PHOTO

JOHN W. MCDONOUGH

PHOTO

ANDY HAYT