CONTENTS

14
THE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

The Atlanta Braves took a three-games-to-two lead over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League
BY STEVE RUSHIN

After five games, the Toronto Blue Jays held an edge on the Oakland A's in the American League
BY STEVE WULF

22
THE RIGHT STUFF!
For the second week in a row, Miami made the big plays—and the big hits—to knock off a Top 5 team
BY AUSTIN MURPHY

28
DOG DAYS
Here's the real poop on the fouled-up Cincinnati Reds and Owner Marge Schott. It's a very messy tale
BY TIM KURKJIAN

32
GAME BALL
When Jerry Ball, the Detroit Lions' aptly named defensive lineman, comes to play, somebody has to pay
BY RICK TELANDER

36
CALL HIM QADRY
Another Ismail, the Rocket's brother, the Missile, has really taken off for the Syracuse football team
BY SALLY JENKINS

44
UP AGAINST THE WALL
Amid the violence and despair of inner-city Los Angeles, young men find hope playing football at Dorsey High
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PETER READ MILLER
TEXT BY SHELLEY SMITH

66
THE KING
Richard Petty is closing his remarkable 35-year reign over stock car racing with a regal tour
BY ED HINTON

DEPARTMENTS

4
TELEVISION

6
LETTERS

9
SCORECARD

54
HORSE RACING

57
PRO FOOTBALL

62
COLLEGE FOOTBALL

78
FOR THE RECORD

80
POINT AFTER

COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY V.J. LOVERO

PHOTO

CHUCK SOLOMON

SkyDome Skyball: Blue Jay Dave Winfield, shown on the cover sliding in safely against the A's Walt Weiss in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, looked less fondly upon this Game 2 play, a pop that Oakland catcher Terry Steinbach stepped forward to snag (page 18).