August 23, 1998

Mark Wohlers, once Atlanta Braves' top relief pitcher, is struggling in minor leagues after losing his ability to throw strikes; his struggle to reclaim his gift, apparently buried beneath welter of emotional and psychological problems, has become discomforting public drama, silencing crowds and drawing sympathy from broadcasters, his malady all more poignant for its fundamental mystery; Atlanta Braves Manager Bobby Cox, frustrated and bewildered, has publicly worried that Wohlers's career might be over; photos (M)

Certain wealthy Manhattanites in their 20's and 30's are choosing Locust Valley as weekend and summer retreat over the Hamptons, where too many barbarians have been let in the gates; Ralph Lauren-like world on North Shore is associated with verbal lockjaw and Wall Street wealth predating 1929, reminiscent of Gatsby era; Locust Valley is little touched by postwar suburbanization, and is both less expensive and less socially formidable than old-guard clubs and neighborhoods of Southampton, Greenwich and Bedford; photos (M)

Ira Rennert's planned dream house on 63 acres in Hamptons would be largest home in America; Sagaponack Homeowners Association is challenging Rennert's building permits before town Zoning Board of Appeals and in State Supreme Court; it contends that Rennert, reclusive industrialist with passion for Orthodox Jewish causes, has misrepresented his plans, claiming to build residence in order to avoid municipal scrutiny when he actually intends complex for religious school or conference center; map; photos (M)

Article on shift in investment practices of black Americans, as they abandon conservative habits of their parents and invest in stocks and mutual funds; photos; graphs (L)

Aluminum baseball bats have come to dominate and alter nature of amateur baseball in US by being simply too good; bats are far lighter to swing than wood and ball flies off faster; in early August, National Collegiate Athletic Association said newest generation of these bats has become dangerous to players and harmful to game because so many hitting records are being broken; NCAA ordered bat manufacturers to modify their designs to meet new lower-performance standard; but rule change, which will take effect next August, has also brought to surface issue that has been churning bitterly for years within NCAA and sport equipment manufacturing industry; diagram; graph; photos (M)

Pres Clinton says US will use 'all the tools at our disposal' to fight terrorist network of Osama bin Laden, as Administration outlines efforts to squeeze him financially after US cruise-missile strikes against sites linked to him in Afghanistan and Sudan; signs executive order calling for Treasury Dept to block any financial transactions with American companies by bin Laden and his principal terrorist organization, Islamic Army (M)

Article on reactions of eight New York City women, members of book group, to latest rash of self-help books and magazine articles that espouse working or staying home to raise families as their only alternatives; photo (L)

Monica Lewinsky debacle has knocked both Democrats and Republicans completely off balance as they alternately condemn Pres Clinton, offer solace and/or keep their mouths shut; uproar over sex appears to have eclipsed Congressional elections, but it could have tremendous effect on them, as well as on next Presidential race; photo; favorite Republican scenario is that Republicans will be galvanized to vote and Democrats will stay home (M)

Gretchen Morgenson column on major rise in returns on 30-year Treasury bonds over last 12 months; graph (M)

After the most tumultuous week of his Presidency, the question that haunts Bill Clinton is how he will be judged in light of the Monica Lewinsky matter. Page 22.

Many of New York City's apartment buildings have roof gardens that provide little patches of lush green to lucky residents; installation and maintenance issues discussed; photos (M)

New York University will build high-rise residence hall on site of old Palladium dance club, on East 14th Street; rendering (S)