Sports Illustrated The Covers Author:Editors of Sports Illustrated The cover is the face of any magazine, the first thing readers see, the place where the editors declare their intentions. At Sports Illustrated the cover has inspired keen interest bordering on obsession ever since the magazine’s launch in 1954. For the past 56 years, the covers of Sports Illustrated have depicted the gr... more »eatest teams and athletes of their generation as well as the most memorable moments in sports. Often it was an appearance on the cover that cemented a player’s reputation or catapulted him or her into legendary status, or?if you believe millions of superstitious readers?offered the absolute kiss of death.In The Covers, each cover is shown in chronological order, starting with the first issue (Aug. 16, 1954) going through 2010. Divided by decade, this index is further supplemented by text written by the Sports Illustrated staffer most closely associated with each 10-year block. The covers serve as both historical record and art pieces. An introduction by current Sports Illustrated editor Terry McDonell and a deep statistical analysis of cover subjects and themes complete this tour through the Sports Illustrated Vault. Which athlete has had the most cover appearances? Which team? Which swimsuit model? How many animals have appeared? How many presidents? How many fathers and sons? Which photographer has shot the most covers? And what really are we to make of the Sports Illustrated jinx? It’s all covered in this luxe 208-page collection.« less