CONTENTS

20
SWASHBUCKLERS
A deep Pirate crew has stayed loose and tight while carving out the best record in the major leagues
BY STEVE RUSHIN

26
TOUR DE COURAGE
Greg LeMond, who fought sickness and adversity in the 78th Tour de France, finished a hero, if not a winner
BY ALEXANDER WOLFF

33
CHALK ONE UP FOR JACK
In a U.S. Senior Open that was more like pool than golf, Jack Nicklaus sank Chi Chi Rodriguez
BY JOHN GARRITY

THE BLACK ATHLETE REVISITED

38
HOW FAR HAVE WE COME?
In 1968 SI examined the black athlete in America. In this and future issues we assess what progress has been made
BY WILLIAM OSCAR JOHNSON

44
A MATTER OF BLACK AND WHITE
An SI survey of professional athletes revealed some of the deep divisions that persist between the races
BY WILLIAM OSCAR JOHNSON

48
'THINGS SEEM BETTER, BUT...'
Ten prominent sports figures discuss what has happened to the black athlete in the past 23 years

54
REACH OUT AND TOUCH SOMEONE
Some of sport's black superstars are cashing in big on an ability to transcend their racial identity
BY E.M. SWIFT

60
A COURAGEOUS STAND
In '68, Olympic medalists Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their gloved fists for racial justice
BY KENNY MOORE

DEPARTMENTS

6
LETTERS

15
SCORECARD

36
BASEBALL

78
FOR THE RECORD

80
POINT AFTER

COVER PHOTO-ILLUSTRATION BY AMY GUIP
MICHAEL JORDAN BY JOHN BIEVER; JACKIE JOYNER-KERSEE BY MANNY MILLAN

PHOTO

JEAN-PIERRE LENFANT/VANDYSTADT

The Passage of Time: A grand-mère in a traditional headpiece sits serenely by as the streaking competitors in the Tour de France passed through Brittany during the Quimper-St.-Herblain stage

(page 26).