Next Week

Baseball 1973 should be a banner year, with designated hitters, mustaches, more Monday night TV, Henry chasing the Babe and the prospect of exciting pennant races in both leagues. But while William Leggett discusses this revival of interest, Dick Young argues that the men who run the sport seem to know less about their product than do the fans. Following an action-filled photo essay and an assessment of the 24 teams, Ron Fimrite observes Steve Carlton, baseball's best pitcher, and Frank Deford presents an old catcher—Joe Garagiola—calling signals in a new game. Plus the usual news, features and departments.