CONTENTS

14
A FEARSOME FOURSOME
Kentucky ran roughshod in the Southeast to earn the favorite's role in the strongest Final Four ever
BY ALEXANDER WOLFF

30
STYMIED NO MORE
Nick Price, long known as Mr. Runner-up, dominated a star-studded leader board at the TPC
BY RICK REILLY

BaseBaLL '93

34
FIVE ACES
The Braves have dealt themselves quite a pitching staff
BY STEVE RUSHIN

42
WHEN FOUR IS MORE
Teams should have the guts to try a four-man rotation
BY TIM KURKJIAN

44
DISTINGUISHED HISTORY
The impact of the designated hitter hasn't been trivial
BY STEVE WULF

54
NO HITTERS
Pitchers at the plate are the best argument for the DH
BY TIM KURKJIAN

60
PUERTO RICO'S NEW PATRON SAINT
Like Clemente, Juan Gonzalez is a hero in his country
BY TOM VERDUCCI

68
AMERICAN LEAGUE
The Orioles and the Twins are the pair of teams to beat
BY TIM KURKJIAN

76
TIGHTENING THE BOND
Double tragedy drew the close-knit Indians even closer
BY TIM KURKJIAN

78
THE ACCIDENTAL BALLPLAYER
Larry Walker dreamed of playing hockey for Montreal
BY LEIGH MONTVILLE

86
NATIONAL LEAGUE
The Braves and the Cards figure to be top contenders
BY STEVE RUSHIN

92
THE HEADLINER
In K.C., David Cone hopes to make news on the field
BY JOHN ED BRADLEY

DEPARTMENTS

4
LETTERS

7
FACES IN THE CROWD

11
SCORECARD

20
NCAA SPORTS PEOPLE

108
POINT AFTER

COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL O'NEILL

PHOTO

CHUCK SOLOMON

Taking the Extra Base: Just as Gary Redus of the Rangers added zip to a spring training game with this dash around second, we're adding zing to the start of baseball's regular season with our special preview package (page 34).