CONTENTS

FIGHT TO THE FINISH 26
After a wild weekend that settled almost nothing, 17 teams still had a chance of making the NFL playoffs
by Peter King

THE AX FALLS AT TOLEDO 32
Being a good and honorable coach isn't always enough, as the firing of the Rockets' Dan Simrell suggests
by Douglas S. Looney

FAST NEW PACE 34
The new-look Indiana Pacers have gotten off to a strong start this year, and they hope to prove it's no fluke
by Hank Hersch

A LONG WAY FROM L.A. 44
Darian Hagan, Colorado's quarterback, chose to head for the hills of Boulder to escape the streets of Watts
by Austin Murphy

LE GRAND LEMOND 54
Greg LeMond, 1989 Sportsman of the Year, rewrote his own legend with a heroic Tour de France finish
by E.M. Swift

BOY, OH BOY, WHAT A YEAR! 76
Chris Drury, of Trumbull, Conn., though only 13, is a World Series hero and a national hockey champ
by Douglas S. Looney

PICTURES '89 86
Herewith a 30-page portfolio of the most colorful, startling and evocative sports photographs from a year of roses and thorns

THEY NEVER GAVE UP 117
Five athletes, disabled while performing their sports, succeeded against long odds in building new lives
by Richard Hoffer

DEPARTMENTS

Letters 6
Scorecard 21
College Basketball 138
Hockey 144
For The Record 164
Point After 166

Cover Photograph by Brian Lanker

PHOTO

JOE MCNALLY

'TAKE OUT THE PAPERS AND THE TRASH....': Chris Drury, 13, may be an exceptional athlete—a world champ in baseball and a national champ in hockey—but when it comes to cleaning his room, he's an ordinary kid (page 76).