October 3, 2005 Table Of Contents
Sports Illustrated Bonus Section: Golf Plus
An unlikely hero lifted the U.S. to a hard-fought victory at the Presidents Cup
Neither a disaster back home nor a cardiac scare could keep David Toms from the Presidents Cup
San Francisco's Harding Park has been restored to its former glory, but will Sandy Tatum's baby pass the acid test?
With nasty weather threatening, Robert Gamez came out of nowhere to win the Texas Open
What golfers are talking about
By Jim Gorant
By with Mitchell Spearman
The Greatest Game turns Ouimet's Cinderella story into a pumpkin
After my pro golf debut, I'm not quitting my day job
By Kenny G
STIK: Life and Times On The PGA Tour
Catching Up With
DECEMBER 25, 1995
By Albert Chen
Air and Space
By Steve Rushin
SI Players
ATLANTA BRAVES THIRD BASEMAN
Breaking news: Barry Zito has the majors' best
By Ben Reiter
Baseball
With six teams vying for the four American League playoff spots, the season-ending White Sox-Indians and Yankees-Red Sox series loomed as do-or-die showdowns
By Tom Verducci
Relief pitching could make the difference in the AL East race
By Albert Chen
College Football
Quarterback Drew Stanton has Michigan State averaging nearly 50 points a game and contending for its first Big Ten title since 1990. This week he'll be out to settle a personal score when he takes on rival Michigan
Led by marquee running back Laurence Maroney, unbeaten Minnesota showed that it could be a force in the Big Ten too
By Mark Beech
Pro Football
Yet another dramatic comeback proves that the Patriots' Tom Brady--the best player in the NFL--owns the final two minutes
Spare Parts
By Bill Syken
NHL Preview 2005-06
The league is back with new rules, a redrawn rink and a salary cap that levels the ice for all 30 teams. After a year off and a frenzy of player movement, can a faster, more explosive NHL win back fans?
The Meek Shall Inherit the Ice
In a postlockout spree, have-not teams suddenly became haves: Pittsburgh lured All-Stars to play with Sidney Crosby, Chicago got a Cup-winning goalie--and that's not all
The improbable signing of Paul Kariya--the first big-name player in franchise history--makes Nashville an overnight Cup contender
A deep defense, a sharp goalie and the excellent Jarome Iginla add up to a dance with Stanley
Young, fast and ready to roll: The totally retooled Flyers are bound for the finals
Coach Bryan Murray believes that a little grit can lead to some long-awaited playoff glory
Thanks to stars willing to settle for less, the Cup winners' highly skilled core remains intact
With his mind clear at last, Tomas Vokoun is set to lead his promising team to new heights
Can Todd Bertuzzi live down his infamous hit, and live up to his old reputation as a scorer?
For Hockeytown to have aspirations of hoisting the Cup again, a Swede must learn to lead
They're skilled and deep, and they have a young captain who's hungry to reach the finals
By Yi-Wyn Yen
Chris Pronger may be the superhero the city has longed for since its Stanley Cup years
Better with age? A revamped team is counting on a pair of old friends to get it back into the playoffs
Although he has been reined in by new rules, goalie Martin Brodeur remains without peer
A longtime New Yorker brings his postseason savvy and trophy-winning touch to Beantown
With the hockey world watching, Sidney Crosby's first miracle will be to make his new team viable
By signing a veteran defenseman, the team's quest for its first playoff berth is afoot
After giving the club a bargain deal, winger Peter Bondra hopes the payoff will be the playoffs
The arrival of the 'Bulin Wall will significantly boost a team coming off a league-worst 20 wins
By Yi-Wyn Yen
The franchise that epitomizes class has hired Youppi! Will a mascot help? Youmustbekidding!
After jettisoning star players and signing an archenemy, the team has some making up to do
The team is counting on their highly touted young goaltender to deliver on his promise
Its hopes hanging on civic pride, Toronto faces some slow going on the road to success
Over the hill? Mike Modano and his team of thirtysomethings insist that older is better
By Yi-Wyn Yen
Lucky Ducks: Reunited at last, the Brothers Niedermayer have found a place in the sun
By Yi-Wyn Yen
The franchise is for sale, but buyer beware: Depth of talent and team identity not included
By Yi-Wyn Yen
L.A. hopes dumping one inconsistent goalie for two inexperienced ones will result in more wins
By Yi-Wyn Yen
Swift Maxim Afinogenov, his headaches behind him, could finally provide some needed offense
Fans had better get used to this bunch. Because of the club's philosophy, help isn't coming soon
By taking the coaching reins, Wayne Gretzky hopes he can speed up the rebuilding process
By Yi-Wyn Yen
Any chance for success rests with Martin Gerber, a career backup out to prove he's a No. 1 goalie
With mainstays thinking of bailing out, a rebuilding club is desperately seeking punch
The fortunes of the Broadway Blueshirts will revolve around the team's mercurial star
Inside: The Week in Sports
Inside College Football
Led by a former hoops star, South Florida staked its claim on the top spot in the new Big East by dismantling Louisville
By Tim Layden
USC'S ACHILLES' HEEL
By Phil Taylor
STEWART MANDEL'S Two-Minute Drill
Inside The NFL
Mike Tice pushed the right buttons to get one win out of the Vikings. Quarterback Dante Culpepper will take it from here
By Peter King
Dr. Z's Forecast: More Pain for Philly
Life of Reilly
By Rick Reilly
Departments
U.S. native J.R. Holden was proud to play for his adopted homeland at the European championships
Here's everything you could possibly want to know about college football--in a single volume
Remote Control Never miss a game again while traveling. The new Slingbox sends your home's TV channels to a laptop
By Bill Syken
Passionate players, delirious devotees and rising TV ratings: As it approaches its 10th birthday, the WNBA is showing signs that it can survive and thrive
Rafael Palmeiro again points his finger, implicating a teammate in his steroids mess
Tulane returns to SMU and defeats the team that gave them shelter from a storm
New rules designed to avoid another embarrassing Presidents Cup draw nearly caused one
The actor, 34, plays an ex--college football star who becomes a handicapper in Two for the Money, which opens on Oct. 7
By Adam Duerson
What to watch and watch for