Zen and the Art of Mark Harmon

If Mark Harmon did not exist, man would have to invent him — out of necessity or desire for someone so good and true that he seems too good to be true.

Harmon has played many roles. Quarterback at UCLA. Dr. Bobby Caldwell on St. Elsewhere. Special agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs on NCIS. The greatest athlete in the history of Battle of the Network Stars.

But every part of this story — from the obstacle course to the tug of war to the time he saved a young man’s life by pulling him from a burning automobile — is true.

Like some sort of half-athlete, half-actor mythological creature, Harmon was born in Burbank, Calif., the son of Heisman Trophy winner Tom Harmon and Vogue model and actress Elyse Knox. Which meant he was perfectly cast in Battle of the Network Stars (1976-1985, 1989), a biannual made-for-television special in which stars from the three broadcast networks competed in various sporting events.

Battle Q&A / Judy Norton-Taylor

Judy Norton-Taylor will forever be known as Mary Ellen Walton, the oldest daughter to John and Oliva on The Waltons (1972-81), the family drama about a Depression-era family in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains that was watched by more than 20 million viewers a week.

To millions less, Norton-Taylor is simply the greatest women’s athlete in the history of Battle of the Network Stars (1976-85), the biannual made-for-television special in which stars from the three broadcast networks competed in various sporting events. “A female superstar,” Howard Cosell said.

Norton-Taylor could do it all — and play through pain. She won the women’s obstacle course in each of her three appearances — beating Kristy McNichol (thanks to a 3-second penalty), Susan Richardson and Randi Oakes — and she holds the all-time record for touchdown catches. Battle IX was her masterpiece, arguably the best individual performance in the show’s history, helping CBS win six events, three with a broken finger. “It was a good weekend,” she said. Battle X was nearly as good: five wins, two with a sprained ankle.

Today, Norton-Taylor is Judy Norton, but she is still a hyphenate — actress-writer-director-producer and singer. Finding Harmony and Another Day in Paradise — two films she wrote and co-starred in — are scheduled for release later this year. Her IMDb page lists five films in pre- and post-production. Still in the development phase: a stage musical based on the life of Olympic gold medalist Greg Louganis.

Battle of the Network Stars / All-Stars

Battles >> 4
Best events >> obstacle course, running relay

Battles >> 6
Best events >> obstacle course, baseball dunk, 3-on-3 football

Battles >> 6
Best events >> running relay, 3-on-3 football, kayak relay

Battles >> 3
Best events >> obstacle course, 3-on-3 football

Battles >> 5
Best events >> running relay, obstacle course, baseball dunk

Battles >> 4
Best events >> baseball dunk, swimming relay

Battles >> 4
Best events >> swimming relay, obstacle course

Battles >> 5
Best events >> running relay, kayak relay

Battles >> 3
Best events >> running relay, obstacle course

Battle of the Network Stars / CBS

Battles >> December 1980, May 1981
Best events >> 3-on-3 football, tug of war, swimming relay

Battles >> November 1979, December 1980, May 1981
Best events >> obstacle course, 3-on-3 football, swimming relay

Battles >> May 1983, November 1983, May 1984, May 1985
Best events >> swimming relay, kayak relay, obstacle course

Battles >> November 1979, May 1980, December 1980, May 1981
Best events >> baseball dunk, swimming relay, tug of war

Battles >> November 1976, February 1977, November 1977, May 1978, Oct 1982
Best events >> 3-on-3 football, running relay

Battles >> May 1979, May 1980, May 1982
Best events >> tug of war, kayak relay

Battles >> November 1978, May 1980, May 1981, November 1981, May 1984, December 1984
Best events >> swimming relay, kayak relay

Battles >> November 1977, November 1978, May 1979, November 1979
Best events >> obstacle course, running relay

Battles >> November 1978, May 1979
Best event >> tug of war

Battle of the Network Stars / ABC

Battles >> November 1976, February 1977, November 1977, May 1978, November 1978, November 1981
Best events >> running relay, 3-on-3 football, kayak relay

Battles >> May 1979, May 1980, December 1980, May 1981, November 1981, May 1983
Best events >> obstacle course, baseball dunk, 3-on-3 football

Battles >> May 1982, October 1982, May 1983, May 1984
Best events >> running relay, swimming relay, kayak relay

Battles >> November 1976, February 1977, November 1978, May 1979
Best events >> kayak relay, running relay, 3-on-3 football

Battles >> October 1982, May 1983, November 1983, May 1984, December 1984
Best events >> running relay, kayak relay

Battles >> November 1976, February 1977, November 1977
Best events >> running relay, 3-on-3 football

Battles >> February 1977, November 1977, November 1979
Best events >> obstacle course, swimming relay

Battles >> December 1980, May 1981, November 1981
Best events >> baseball dunk, tandem bike relay

Battles >> May 1982, October 1982, November 1983
Best event >> swimming relay

Battle of the Network Stars / NBC

Battles >> November 1981, May 1982, May 1984, December 1984
Best events >> obstacle course, running relay, tug of war

Battles >> November 1979, May 1980, May 1981, November 1981, May 1983
Best events >> running relay, obstacle course, baseball dunk

Best events >> tug of war, swimming relay

Best events >> swimming relay, 3-on-3 football, baseball dunk

Best events >> tug of war, kayak relay

Best event >> running relay

Best events >> baseball dunk, tug of war

Best event >> baseball dunk, 3-on-3 football

Battle of the Network Stars XIX

WINNER >> ABC

2. CBS
3. NBC

Kayak relay >> ABC

JoAnn Willette
John Davidson
Olivia d’Abo
Brian Wimmer

2. CBS
3. NBC

Swimming relay >> CBS, 1:21.09 (record)

Jack Scalia
Kristian Alfonso
Steve Kanaly
Nicollette Sheridan
Lorenzo Lamas

2. NBC
3. ABC

Baseball dunk >> ABC, 4 points

Brian Robbins > Teri Copley, 4 pts

CBS >> 3

Charlene Tilton > Greg Evigan, 3 pts

NBC >> 0

Obstacle course >> NBC

2. ABC
3. CBS

Best time (men) > Brian Wimmer, NBC, 19.62
Best time (women) > Tina Yothers, NBC, 25.44

Running relay >> ABC, 2:00.59

Rob Stone
Olivia d’Abo
John Davidson
Allyce Beasley
Rebeca Arthur
Brian Wimmer

2. NBC
3. CBS

Tandem bike race >> ABC, 2:00

Brian Robbins-JoAnn Willette
John Davidson-Olivia d’Abo
Rob Stone-Rebeca Arthur

2. CBS
3. NBC

Tug of War >> ABC def. CBS

Rob Stone
JoAnn Willette
Olivia d’Abo
Brian Robbins
Brian Wimmer

MVP (men) Brian Wimmer, ABC

MVP (women) Olivia d’Abo, ABC

All-Battle team >> Wimmer and d’Abo

John Davidson, ABC
JoAnn Willette, ABC
Rob Stone, ABC
Brian Robbins, ABC
Tina Yothers, NBC
Rebeca Arthur, ABC

Records >> Swimming relay, CBS, 1:21.09

Best event >> Tug of War

Worst event >> Baseball dunk

Hosts >> Howard Cosell, Shari Belafonte

Commissioner >> John Matuszak

1985 AL All-Star voting

Catcher >> Lance Parrish, Tigers, 1,037,683

2. Carlton Fisk, White Sox, 787,313.  3. Jim Sundberg, Royals, 375,706.  4. Bob Boone, Angels, 355,008.  5. Ernie Whitt, Blue Jays, 345,248.  6. Rick Dempsey, Orioles, 289,928.  7. Butch Wynegar, Yankees, 179,683.  8. Rich Gedman, Red Sox, 116,837.

First base >> Eddie Murray, Orioles, 778,477

2. Rod Carew, Angels, 728,070.  3. Don Mattingly, Yankees, 506,008.  4. Willie Upshaw, Blue Jays, 383,364.  5. Kent Hrbek, Twins, 351,606.  6. Bill Buckner, Red Sox, 341,916.  7. Cecil Cooper, Brewers, 298,427.  8. Alvin Davis, Mariners, 159,846.

Second base >> Lou Whitaker, Tigers, 1,070,731

2. Damaso Garcia, Blue Jays, 533,807.  3. Bobby Grich, Angels, 416,550.  4. Frank White, Royals, 354,074.  5. Willie Randolph, Yankees, 300,633.  6. Julio Cruz, White Sox, 294,440.  7. Jim Gantner, Brewers, 232,496.  8. Tim Teufel, Twins, 219,641.

Third base >> George Brett, Royals, 1,394,334

2. Wade Boggs, Red Sox, 395,636.  3. Doug DeCinces, Angels, 356,237.  4. Rance Mulliniks, Blue Jays, 339,684.  5. Paul Molitor, Brewers, 272,172.  6. Darrell Evans, Tigers, 235,928.  7. Buddy Bell, Rangers, 219,993.  8. Gary Gaetti, Twins, 211,706.

Shortstop >> Cal Ripken, Orioles, 1,398,901

2. Alan Trammell, Tigers, 669,057.  3. Tony Fernandez, Blue Jays, 367,455.  4. Robin Yount, Brewers, 360,450.  5. Onix Concepcion, Royals, 322,055.  6. Alfredo Griffin, Athletics, 159,764.  7. Julio Franco, Cleveland, 118,074.  8. Spike Owen, Mariners, 106,545.

Outfield >> Dave Winfield, Yankees, 929,016.  2. Rickey Henderson, Yankees, 820,338.  3. Jim Rice, Red Sox, 723,022.

4. Reggie Jackson, Angels, 704,156.  5. Fred Lynn, Orioles, 672,658.  6. Kirk Gibson, Tigers, 637,097.  7. Tom Brunansky, Twins, 554,465.  8. Tony Armas, Red Sox, 445,221.  9. George Bell, Blue Jays, 409,064.  10. Jesse Barfield, Blue Jays, 405,130.  11. Lloyd Moseby, Blue Jays, 401,265.  12. Chet Lemon, Tigers, 399,773.  13. Willie Wilson, Royals, 358,883.  14. Harold Baines, White Sox, 329,423.  15. Kirby Puckett, Twins, 270,648.  16. Larry Parrish, Rangers, 260,579.

1985 NL All-Star voting

Catcher >> Gary Carter, Mets, 1,129,018

2. Terry Kennedy, Padres, 777,485.  3. Jody Davis, Cubs, 430,021.  4. Tony Pena, Pirates, 413,170.  5. Darrell Porter, Cardinals, 332,510.  6. Ozzie Virgil, Phillies, 228,669.  7. Mike Scioscia, Dodgers, 228,504.  8. Mike Fitzgerald, Expos, 173,727.

First base >> Steve Garvey, Padres, 1,310,111

2. Keith Hernandez, Mets, 841,951.  3. Pete Rose, Reds, 748,121.  4. Leon Durham, Cubs, 362,740.  5. Dan Driessen, Expos, 198,020.  6. Greg Brock, Dodgers, 147,795.  7. Enos Cabell, Dodgers, 146,654.  8. Jason Thompson, Pirates, 90,081.

Second base >> Tommy Herr, Cardinals, 1,109,178

2. Ryne Sandberg, Cubs, 1,050,549.  3. Steve Sax, Dodgers, 379,526.  4. Manny Trillo, Giants, 223,149.  5. Juan Samuel, Phillies, 190,362.  6. Bill Doran, Astros, 188,833.  7. Glenn Hubbard, Atlanta, 163,896.  8. Johnny Ray, Pirates, 85,957.

Third base >> Graig Nettles, Padres, 1,032,335

2. Mike Schmidt, Phillies, 739,793.  3. Ron Cey, Cubs, 643,288.  4. Tim Wallach, Expos, 384,480.  5. Terry Pendleton, Cardinals, 287,848.  6. Bob Horner, Atlanta, 195,525.  7. Bill Madlock, Pirates, 177,695.  8. Phil Garner, Astros, 167,921.

Shortstop >> Ozzie Smith, Cardinals, 1,349,362

2. Garry Templeton, Padres, 820,449.  3. Dave Concepcion, Reds, 369,094.  4. Hubie Brooks, Expos, 310,432.  5. Larry Bowa, Cubs, 279,226.  6. Craig Reynolds, Astros, 211,394.  7. Bill Russell, Dodgers, 182,607.  8. Rafael Ramirez, Atlanta, 127,810.

Outfield >> Dale Murphy, Atlanta, 1,425,952.  2. Tony Gwynn, Padres, 968,262.  3. Darryl Strawberry, Mets, 907,197.

4. Kevin McReynolds, Padres, 664,888.  5. Willie McGee, Cardinals, 630,075.  6. Jack Clark, Cardinals, 601,159.  7. Dave Parker, Reds, 509,060.  8. Pedro Guerrero, Dodgers, 460,905.  9. Jose Cruz, Astros, 450,915.  10. Tim Raines, Expos, 448,160.  11. Andre Dawson, Expos, 430,269.  12. Keith Moreland, Cubs, 378,340.  13. Bob Dernier, Cubs, 346,606.  14. Gary Matthews, Cubs, 344,271.  15. Terry Puhl, Astros, 265,485.  16. Jerry Mumphrey, Astros, 237,135.

Tennis, 1977-85

MEN

Most majors

Bjorn Borg, 8

John McEnroe, 7

Jimmy Connors, 5

Mats Wilander, 4

Guillermo Vilas, 4



WOMEN

Most majors

Martina Navratilova, 12

Chris Evert, 12

1985 All-NBA teams

As selected by a nationwide panel of 78 media members, with total points and first-team votes in parentheses:

FIRST TEAM

Forward >> Larry Bird, Boston, 156 (78)

Forward >> Bernard King, New York, 107 (40)

Center >> Moses Malone, Philadelphia, 110 (40)

Guard >> Magic Johnson, L.A. Lakers, 146 (69)

Guard >> Isiah Thomas, Detroit, 112 (41)


SECOND TEAM

Forward >> Terry Cummings, Milwaukee, 74 (18)

Forward >> Ralph Sampson, Houston, 57 (14)

Center >> Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, L.A. Lakers, 107 (37)

Guard >> Michael Jordan, Chicago, 91 (27)

Guard >> Sidney Moncrief, Milwaukee, 68 (15)

Battle of the Network Stars XVIII

WINNER >> NBC

2. ABC
3. CBS

Swimming relay >> ABC, 1:45.37

Michael Spound
Pat Klous
Mary Cadorette
Deborah Adair
Ted McGinley

2. NBC
3. CBS

Running relay >> NBC, 1:44.00

Bubba Smith
Erin Gray
Ken Olin
Patricia McPherson
Lisa Bonet
Philip Michael Thomas

2. ABC
3. CBS

Kayak (beach) relay >> CBS, 5:33.80

Jennifer O’Neill
Lorenzo Lamas
Jenilee Harrison
Doug McKeon
Billy Moses
Dack Rambo

2. ABC
3. NBC

Mexican fishing boat race >> ABC, 2:00.97

Emma Samms
Deborah Adair
Michael Spound
Tony Danza
Jack Coleman
Ted McGinley

2. CBS
3. NBC

Tennis >> NBC, 22 games

Ken Olin-Nancy McKeon
Phillip Michael Thomas-Erin Gray

2. ABC, 18
3. CBS, 14

Volleyball >> NBC

Bubba Smith
Ken Olin
Phillip Michael Thomas
Erin Gray
Patricia McPherson
Nancy McKeon

2. ABC
3. CBS

Obstacle course (beach) >> CBS

2. NBC
3. ABC

Best time (men) >> Billy Moses, CBS, 15.34
Best time (women) >> Lisa Bonet, NBC, 20.02

Tug of War >> NBC def. ABC

Philip Michael Thomas
Patricia McPherson
Bubba Smith
Nancy McKeon
Lisa Bonet

MVP (men) Philip Michael Thomas, NBC

MVP (women) Lisa Bonet, NBC

All-Battle team >> Thomas and Bonet

Ken Olin, NBC
Billy Moses, CBS
Bubba Smith, NBC
Nancy McKeon, NBC
Patricia McPherson, NBC
Erin Gray, NBC

Best event >> none

Worst event Kayak (beach) relay

Hosts >> Joan Van Ark, Dick Van Dyke

Commissioner >> Earl Weaver

SI swimsuit issue, 1977-85

Swimsuit Issue cover models:

1977 >> LENA KANSBOD

Age >> 20  Born >> Sweden

Location >> Maui, Hawaii  Photographed by >> Art Kane

Also in this issue >> Barbara Minty, Cheryl Tiegs

1978 >> MARIA JOAO

Age >> 22  Born >> Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Location >> Bahia, Brazil  Photographed by >> Walter Iooss Jr.

Also in this issue >> Christie Brinkley, Cheryl Tiegs, Monique Moura de Carvalho

1979 >> CHRISTIE BRINKLEY

Age >> 25  Hometown >> Los Angeles

Location >> Seychelles  Photographed by >> Walter Iooss Jr.

Also in this issue >> Barbara Carrera, Apollonia van Ravenstein

1980 >> CHRISTIE BRINKLEY

Age >> 26  Hometown >> Los Angeles

Location >> British Virgin Islands  Photographed by >> John Zimmerman

Also in this issue >> Irina Gerasimenko, Bernadette Swann, Jocelyn Javits

1981 >> CHRISTIE BRINKLEY

Age >> 27  Hometown >> Los Angeles

Location >> Captiva Island, Florida  Photographed by >> John Zimmerman

Also in this issue >> Carol Alt, Kelly Emberg, Rita Tellone, Lena Kansbod

1982 >> CAROL ALT

Age >> 21  Hometown >> Queens, New York

Location >> Kenya  Photographed by >> John Zimmerman

Also in this issue >> Kim Alexis, Charissa Craig, Kathryn Redding

1983 >> CHERYL TIEGS

Age >> 35  Hometown >> Alhambra, Calif.

Location >> Jamaica  Photographed by >> Walter Iooss Jr.

Also in this issue >> Carol Alt, Kim Alexis, Paulina Porizkova, Kelly Emberg, Hillary Satire

Battle of the Network Stars >> Competed in Battle IV, helping ABC win the running relay.

1984 >> PAULINA PORIZKOVA

Age >> 18  Born >> Czechoslovakia  Hometown >> Lund, Sweden

Location >> Aruba  Photographed by >> Paolo Curto

Also in this issue >> Kelly Emberg, Kim Alexis, Kathy Ireland, Carol Alt, Jean Pelton

1985 >> PAULINA PORIZKOVA

Age >> 19  Born >> Czechoslovakia  Hometown >> Lund, Sweden

Location >> Australia  Photographed by >> Brian Lanker

Also in this issue >> Kim Alexis, Kathy Ireland, Elle Macpherson, Renée Simonsen, Sarah Nursey

Dr. Z’s 1984 All-Pro Team

Selected by Paul Zimmerman in Sports Illustrated:

OFFENSE

Wide receiver >> John Stallworth, Pittsburgh

Tackle >> Jimbo Covert, Chicago

Guard >> Russ Grimm, Washington

Center >> Dwight Stephenson, Miami

Guard >> John Hannah, New England

Tackle >> Keith Fahnhorst, San Francisco

Tight end >> Todd Christensen, L.A. Raiders

Wide receiver >> Roy Green, St. Louis

Quarterback >> Dan Marino, Miami

Running back >> Walter Payton, Chicago

Running back >> Eric Dickerson, L.A. Rams

Running back >> James Wilder, Tampa Bay


DEFENSE

End >> Lee Roy Selmon, Tampa Bay

Defensive tackle >> Randy White, Dallas

Nose guard >> Jim Burt, N.Y. Giants

End >> Howie Long, L.A. Raiders

Outside linebacker >> Clay Matthews, Cleveland

Inside linebacker >> Jim Collins, L.A. Rams

Middle linebacker >> Mike Singletary, Chicago

Outside linebacker >> Lawrence Taylor, N.Y. Giants

Cornerback >> Mike Haynes, L.A. Raiders

Strong safety >> Kenny Easley, Seattle

Free safety >> Michael Downs, Dallas

Cornerback >> Louie Wright, Denver


SPECIALISTS

Kicker >> Jan Stenerud, Minnesota

Punter >> Reggie Roby, Miami


AWARDS

Player of the Year >> Dan Marino, Miami

Coach of the Year >> Dan Reeves, Denver

Battle of the Network Stars XVII

WINNER >> NBC

2. ABC
3. CBS

Swimming relay >> NBC, 1:22.52 (record)

James B. Sikking
Stepfanie Kramer
Mark Harmon
Jane Badler
Marc Singer

2. ABC
3. CBS

Kayak relay >> ABC, 3:55.78 (including penalty)

Tony Danza
Heather Locklear
Tracy Scoggins
William Shatner

2. CBS
3. NBC

3-on-3 football >> NBC

Quarterback > James B. Sikking

2. ABC
3. CBS

Baseball dunk >> ABC, 13 points

Tony Lo Bianco > Deborah Shelton, 9

2. NBC, 12

Mark Harmon > Heather Locklear, 6

3. CBS, 3

Obstacle course >> NBC

2. ABC
3. CBS

Best time (men) > Mark Harmon, NBC, 17.96
Best time (women) > Tracy Scoggins, ABC, 22.52

Tandem bike relay >> NBC, 2:10.91

Marc Singer-Kim Fields
Michael J. Fox-Stepfanie Kramer
Mark Harmon-Jane Badler

2. ABC
3. CBS

Running relay >> NBC, 2:03.78

Michael J. Fox
Kim Fields
Mark Harmon
Jane Badler
Stepfanie Kramer
Marc Singer

2. ABC
3. CBS

Tug of War >> NBC def. ABC, less than one minute

Mark Harmon
Kim Fields
Marc Singer
Teri Copley
James B. Sikking

Injury report >> Jennifer O’Neill (knee)

MVP (men) Mark Harmon, NBC

MVP (women) Tracy Scoggins, ABC

All-Battle team >> Harmon and Scoggins

Marc Singer, NBC
James B. Sikking, NBC
Kim Fields, NBC
Stepfanie Kramer, NBC
Jane Badler, NBC
Tony Lo Bianco, ABC

Best event >> none

Records >> Swimming relay, NBC, 1:22.52

Hosts >> Howard Cosell, Shari Belafonte

Commissioner >> Bob Uecker