SI Weekly Expansion College Basketball Preview 11.22.2010 Jacob Pullen

This weeks SI Expansion has the 2010-2011 College Basketball Preview. I will be adding a little flair and some quality research behind the already great magazine put out by Sports Illustrated.

Cover:

This issue of SI comes with four different regional covers with four different school programs depicted.

1. Kansas State with Senior Guard - Jacob Pullen
2. Duke with Senior Guard - Nolan Smith
3. Washington with Junior Guard - Isaiah Thomas
4. Michigan State with Senior Guard -  Kalin Lucas

On the Bench:

1. One of the mini articles had the writings of the Manny Pacquiao verses Antonio Margarito. I was at home and had to watch the fight online with the free internet site tv. I should have gotten tickets to the Deathstar and watched it on Jerry Jones' big screen. It was a fight that was clearly a must see by any boxing fan!

2. Mini Article II: This story has Nascar star Jimmie Johnson going into this weekend 15 points behind Denny Hamlin in The Chase.  The race this weekend at Homestead is the finale. Who will win? I'll take Johnson!

3. Putting the Shoulder Pads On: A menacing picture of the New York Jets offensive line is pictured next and what a sight over 1,500 lbs of green and white coming to line could do to intimidate to a defense. The Jets are looking for Super Bowl Rings in Dallas and with Rex Ryan coaching, LaDainian Tomlinson playing better, and NFL's Sophmore Mark Sanchez fulfilling his hype they have a shot at the Lombardi Trophy.

4. Being from the Dallas area, I can't talk about the NFL and not bring up the newest intern head coach of the Dallas Cowboys - Jason Garrett. Good Luck Jason your gonna need it!

In the Game:

My look at The Men's and Women's 2010 -2011 SI College Basketball Basketball Preview.

• The men's sneak preview looks into three teams and the tandem's that look to make a run at the tourney.
• Duke's Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith
• Purdue's JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore
• Michigan State's Durrell Summers and Kalin Lucas

Good luck to all six men on their quest for the NCAA Champions!

• The women's sneak preview has the talents of Amber Harris and Ta'Shia Phillips of Xavier wanting to win the title in their hometown Indianapolis after just missing the Final Four last year they are HUNGRY!

Men's Final Four Picks

1. Duke - Picked to win it all
2. Michigan State
3. Kansas State
4. Villanova

I will be watching for some true talented men to show us what college athletics is about. Hardwork and dedication to their craft and the schools they reprasent make college baskeball what it is today. College basketball has always been about the school and not the player. When I look back I think about the teams, coaches and what the school stands for more than the name on the players jersey, that is for the NBA.

In Closing: HEY MAILMAN, TAKE BETTER CARE OF MY SPORTS ILLUSTRATED !

SI Vintage 4.05.2010 Cover: Roy Halladay Phillies - NCAA Men's final Four

Roy "Doc" Halladay

Yesterday the National League announced it's Cy Young winner Roy Halladay! So, I dug in the collection but not far and found the perfect fit for this occasion, SI's baseball 2010 preview issue. Well let's see how this years baseball season's preview issue from SI fared in picking award winners and the World Series winner.

Cover:

In his new red and white pinstriped uniform we see Roy "Doc" Halladay with a menacing look of determination that this workhorse used to dominate the National League in 2010. Roy with his work ethic finally got on the Philadelphia Phillies a team that could be a contender for the World Series. The  NL had to be shaking in the cleats. Little did we know that we would see a true gem in a perfect game in the first season in the National League and he would win the coveted Cy Young Award.

The Bench:

1. The 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four with only four teams:  Who was going to prevail and win their school the big one?

• Michigan State Spartans
• Butler Bulldogs
• West Virginia Mountaineers
• Duke Blue Devils

The winner: Duke Blue Devils...Again!

In The Game:

*2010 SI Baseball Preview*

1. The heart of the preview of the season was that of the trade of Roy "Doc" Halladay to Phillies. SI put a great 8 page spread out that wrote about his start in the bigs, the trade and where his future legacy wants to be in and out of baseball.

2. The batter looking at the time to face Roy in the World Series was Ben Zobrist and the Tampa Bay Rays.

3. The business of baseball and the salaries earned by the major league players with a few rolling in dough.
Some of the top money earners for the 2010 season:

• Joe Mauer: $12,500,000.00
• Albert Pujols: $16,000,000.00
• Chase Utley: $15,000,000.00
• Alex Roriguez: $32,000,000.00
• Derek Jeter: $21,000,000.00

4. The hitting patience of Denard Span with the Minnesota Twins and the on base percentage all major leaguer's dream of someday acheiving is captured with great artwork and expert writing by Joe Posnanski. Congrats to Ron Gardenhire for manager of the year.

5. Scouting Reports - let's jump right up to SI's predictions of the playoffs

• American League Division Series
• New York Yankees over Minnesota Twins
• Tampa Bay Rays over Anaheim Angels
• National League Division Series
• Philadelphia Phillies over St Louis Cardinals
• Colorado Rockies over Atlanta Braves
• AL Championship Series
• Rays over Yankees
• NL Championship Series
• Phillies over Rockies
• World Series
• Phillies Over Rays

Well, as we all know now the Texas Rangers made it to their first World Series and San Francisco Giants won it all to make history.

Sliding into Home:

The Vault has a great pic of Ervin "Magic" Johnson at Michigan State and Larry Bird with Indiana State in their  college days in the finals of the NCAA tournament. In my opinion the best EVER!

Michael Vick Collectibles: Rookie Football Card thru Autographed Jersy and more!

After the Record Breaking Night I thought I would help you find some great buys on Michael Vick Collectibles.

1. Rookie Football Card

2. Collectible Magazine Cover

3. Philidelphia Autographed Jersey

4. NFL Autographed Football

5. Signature Shoes

6. Autographed Mini Helmet

7. Autographed 8x10 Photo

8. Autographed Virginia Tech College Helmet

9. Atlanta Falcon Bobblehead

10. Game Worn Jersey Card

Here is a little Cheery inspiration for Vick to keep up the good work.

Rookies of the Year awarded!! Neftali Feliz and Buster Posey

Texas Rangers - Closer - Neftali Feliz

San Francisco Giants - Catcher - Buster Posey

Neftali Feliz AL and Buster Posey NL win the Rookie of the Year Awards!

SI Vintage John Madden 8.27.1990 British Open, Ernie Els, Montreal Expos

This is Monday Night and Football Night. So, I thought I would throw in a few Madden links to help get you ready for some football! 

Cover:

Who else does Monday Night Football better than John Madden? The cover has him at his best in a nice easy chair with a remote getting ready for football.

Side note: Tonights game features the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Redskins.

On the Bench:

1. Opening article is the ABC Monday Night Football with Al Michaels and John Madden. The storyline revolves around SI and Madden in a Q&A. SI even asked about the bus.

2. We turn to golf and the British Open with the winner Ernie Els.

3. Next, the issues of losing for Frank Robinson and the Monteal Expos. Remember them? They had a few greats Moises Alou, Vladimir Guerrero, and Larry Walker.

4. Boxing in form of defending the welterweight title Vernon Forrest defeated "Sugar" Shane Mosley makes number four on this list.

5. Training camps took a new twist with the death of Korey Stringer and the Vikings and their scrutiny they had to overcome.

6. Homerun Ball Hysteria - The historic 73rd homerun ball of Barry Bonds and the men who fought over it. Alex Popov and Patrick Hayashi battled in the grandstands and in the courtroom for the record breaking ball.

Well thats another installment of SI Vintage. Keep coming back for more issues and more fun!

SI Vintage Boston Celtics 8.27.1990 John Havlichek, Arnold Palmer, Secretariat

With the Celtics once again playing like the want it all. I am going vintage to give a look back at the Celtics of old. 
Cover:

Boston's Brutal Week: None other than the Hall of Famer, John Havlicek working the boards graces the cover wearing his famous retired number 17 jersey. John was the NBA finals MVP in the 1973-1974 Series.

Lineup:

1. The Sledding Was Tough: Jumping right into it is the Boston Celtics and how well they were positioning themselves for another playoff run. The article has nice photography with a picture of Dave Cowens skyhooking the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The season ended on a high that year with a NBA championship trophy to show for it.

2. Jose Was Attacked By The Zoo:  Boxing was a huge sport in the 1970's and Carlos Monzon middleweight that put it to you like an animal. The ring was to small for him and the challenger Jose Napoles and Carlos ate him up!

3. Along Came The Little People: St. Mortiz and the great skiing of Liechtenstein. The pride of the slope was Hanny Wenzel by winning the World Championships.

4. And They Used to Call Me Sexy: The unsuccessful breeding of the great Secretariat. The great Triple Crown winning horse was back on the farm and retired and was ready to board and make the next great winning offspring but problems abound. Was the stud sterile?

5. Generating Eclectic Powers: Here is the story of Lee Evans one of the world's best at the time in the 440m and how he trained mind and body. From the SI article he tried vegetables, antiques, yoga, versifying, astrology and religion and still not lose the thrill of running for love and money.

6. Down to the Sea Again - By Shiplet  Mainly the story is about a yachtsman and his story while cruising in his yacht.

7. Where it still 1960 and Hope Springs Eternal: The golfing great turns 44. Who is he Arnold Palmer. He is playing in Palm Springs and the world loves him.

As you can already tell the SI of the 1970's were filled with more diverse sporting events unlike the SI of today that really showcase the high profile sports.

SI Vintage Cowboys and Raiders 8.27.1990 Troy Aikman, Barry Bonds, Boris Becker

Thought I would start off my vintage look into Sports Illustrated with a cover that fits the times. With the Raiders looking great and the Cowboys getting "Crunched" I thought I would get a visual reflection.
The Cover:

 A nice view of Troy Aikman feeling the Oakland Defensesman Mike Wise getting the sack brings awareness of how bad the 1990 Season was for the Dallas Cowboys. For the fans of the Cowboys they are wishing for a better outcome to 2010. Well, I guess miracles do happen, will it happen in big D?
The Line Up:
1. BrawlGame! The article covers the melees in baseball that were affecting the game! Some of the players depicted fighting were Pedro Guerrero, Bob Gibson, and Don Drysdale. Joe Medwick. One picture shows a great black eye on Tony Conigliaro which came from the fist of "Ducky" Joe Medwick.

2. Still a long way to go: Dallas Cowboys after its 1-15 season in 1989 was in a big hole in the early season of 1990. As the head coach, Jimmy Johnson was building a dynasty for the future with a core of great players. But, the 1990 season was still under .500 with a 7-9 record and a few wins a way from the famous saying "How 'bout them Cowboys".

3. "I Deserve My Turn": The story is about Steve Huffman and his relationship with Notre Dame's head coach Lou Holtz. Lou calling Steve a "quitter" started a big fiasco that excalated with Huffman calling out the school and the use of steroids.

4. Good as it gets: Betsy King and her great win at Wykagyl with a 9 under par 63.

5. Fascinating Rhythm: Horseracing and the Travelers Stakes at Saratoga racetrack with the horse Rhythm winning it all.

6. The Push is On: Atlantans were working hard to get the 1996 Olympics in their city. We all know that was the year of the infamous car bombing, The 1996 Olympics did have some great memories winning many medals. The wins of Michael Johnson, women's gymnastics team,  Mia Hamm getting gold in womens soccer, and the 1996 Dream Team II were all captivating to watch.

7. The Lone Rider: First place was for the Pittsburg Pirates led by Jim Leyland and slugger Barry Bonds. The story is about Jim and how he managed the team to eventually a disappointing record.

8. Eye of the Tiger: Winning and losing in tennis and the life of Boris Becker. A great 11 page article on how he played the game and lived the life. There is a great photo with Sylvester Stallone included in the article.

All in all the magazine was filled with great reading and a nice trip down memory lane.