May 25, 2009 Table Of Contents
LEADING OFF
GOLF PLUS
Although it has been around since 1922, a revitalized Texas Open, won by Zach Johnson, was rarin' to justify its new spot leading off the Lone Star State swing
The 40-year-old mystery of the woman in The Golfing Machine is solved
By Scott Gummer
Inside: THE WEEK IN SPORTS
Next week's Champions League final is an epic showdown between the world's two best players
Young Blackhawks sprite Patrick Kane is defying logic and defenses—and he's dying to stick it to the Red Wings
By Sarah Kwak
Talks involving Jake Peavy have quieted, but two division rivals are worth watching when the bidding starts anew
By Jon Heyman
BASEBALL
Randy Johnson Will Grind Your Bones To Make His Bread
He has more wins in his 40s than he did in his 20s, and he enjoyed his most fearsome run in his late 30s; as he closes in on 300 wins, it's safe to say there's never been another pitching giant like the Big Unit
By Tom Verducci
PREAKNESS
Rachel Alexandra proved her jockey right by wiring the boys at the Preakness, but not without a scare from Mine That Bird, who validated his Derby victory
By Tim Layden
INDIANAPOLIS 500
After a distressing trial on tax-evasion charges, Helio Castroneves is free and clear and on the pole at Indy. So is racing's most irrepressible character a changed man?
SWIMMING
Putting behind him his out-of-the-pool controversies, his three-month suspension and his thoughts of leaving the sport for good, a motivated Michael Phelps returned to competition eager to test himself and build upon his legacy
NBA PLAYOFFS
It's been a rough few decades for Clevelanders—no mistake (by the lake) about it. But with LeBron James and the Cavaliers playing otherworldly basketball, long-suffering fans dare to imagine their first victory celebration since 1964
The Magic's outside touch gives them a shot at spoiling Cleveland's party
By Chris Mannix
Point After
Departments
Guidance with a Fatherly Touch
Helping Michael Vick and other young people realize their potential
By Tony Dungy
When umps got their fill early
Expect more X's and O's as a former coach joins MNF
A new look at the dawn of MLB's expansion era
What smart fans should do this week
By Dan Patrick
An NAIA sidearmer fires a string of blanks
By Peter King