Lineup

AUGUST 14,2006
VOLUME 105, NO. 6

FEATURES

BASEBALL

42 GrimePays
Phillies second baseman Chase Utley is putting up filthy numbers, proving thathe's more than just another pretty face in a dirty uniform
by Michael Farber

OLYMPICSPORTS

50 TalentPool
Led by 17-year-old Katie Hoff, a new wave of U.S. women made a splash at thenationals and are ready to regain their No. 1 ranking in the world
by Kelli Anderson

BASKETBALL

54 Bleu, Blanc,Rouge!
Led by longtime pals Boris Diaw and Tony Parker, a young and colorful Frenchteam could deliver a surprise at next week's world championships
by Alan Shipnuck

Training CampReport
Jobs will be won or lost, careers made or broken. It's the nature of theNFL
by Peter King PAGE 58

Departments

6 Leading Off

12 Letters

15 Air andSpace

Want to be an NFLplayer? This is even better: watching one practice in the broiling sun by SteveRushin

16Scorecard
• More hypocrisy in the NCAA
• Remembering Susan Butcher
• A tribute: Tiger reaches 50 wins

28 Faces in theCrowd

31 Players

82 Life of Reilly
After an intentional walk in a PONY league title game, the Utah town ofBountiful is Rancorful by Rick Reilly

Inside ...

74 MotorSports
• Jimmie Johnson conquers Indy
• The roiling Stewart-Edwards feud

77 Baseball

• Mike Piazzagets his second wind
• The Red Sox' backstop quandary

Cover

PHOTOGRAPH BY ALTIELEMANS

INSET PHOTOS:Damien Strohmeyer (Gramatica); John Biever (Pool); Todd Bigelow/Aurora (Bell);Darren Carroll (Babin); John Iacono (Carter); Al Tielemans (Utley)

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>>THEPGA

If Tiger Woods(right) wins the PGA Championship on Aug. 20, SI.com's Gary Van Sickle won't besurprised if Woods, who won the British Open last month, goes on to hold allfour major titles again. For a PGA preview, including the odds on every player,go to SI.com/golf.

>>COLLEGEPREVIEW

In what could bethe most wide-open national title race in years, SI.com's Stewart Mandel likesNotre Dame and its senior wide receiver Jeff Samardzija (left) a lot anddefending champion Texas not so much. Go to SI.com/collegefootball for Mandel'sseason preview, including capsules on the obvious (and not-so-obvious)contenders.

>>FANTASYFOOTBALL

Running backshold down seven of the top eight spots in SI.com's Fantasy Football PlayerRankings--and Saints rookie Reggie Bush isn't on that list. To see the rankingsand read James Quintong's new Fantasy blog, go to SI.com/fantasy.

>>PROFOOTBALL

If you've watchedAntonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez and Jeremy Shockey (right) recently, you know thevalue of a top tight end. For an essay on how the position has changed and aphoto gallery of the best tight ends ever, go to SI.com/nfl.

PHOTO

JOHN W. MCDONOUGH (JAMES)

 54SAYONARA LeBron James saluted the fans in Las Vegas after a 114--69 win lastThursday over Puerto Rico, a tune-up for the world championships inJapan.

PHOTO

PETER READ MILLER (NFL)

PHOTO

ROBERT BECK (PARRISH)

36 CORE VALUES Like many NFL players, 49ers defensive back Tony Parrish performs an exercise regimen designed to strengthen his midsection muscles.

PHOTO

LOU CAPOZZOLA (WOODS)

PHOTO

JOHN BIEVER (SAMARDZIJA)

PHOTO

DAMIAN STROHMEYER (SHOCKEY)