Lineup

28 | BRITISH OPEN
Duel in the Wind
Stewart Cink won his first major, at 36, but Tom Watson, at 59, thrilled the crowds, then showed them how to accept defeat
By Michael Bamberger

36 | BASEBALL
Best Base Runners
The Rays' Carl Crawford and others are swiping bases and stealing games. SI breaks down the impact of aggressive baserunning
By Albert Chen

44 | NBA
Ron Artest
On his best behavior and intent on winning a title, the talented forward happily signs with L.A. in the biggest upgrade of the off-season
By Ian Thomsen

48 | COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Michigan State
The Spartans' run to the NCAA final lifted the spirits of fans in Detroit and across the state—a sensation on which the team is building
By Lee Jenkins

56 | COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Tim Tebow
The Florida quarterback is as dedicated to saving souls as he is to leading the Gators to another national championship
By Austin Murphy

Departments

4 Leading Off

12 Letters

14 Scorecard
• Olympic TV network infuriates IOC, NBC
• Walter Cronkite, sportscasting pioneer

20 Just My Type
Jack Nicklaus on old pal Tom Watson
by Dan Patrick

22 Faces in the Crowd

24 Inside ...

• Baseball
Trade bait, suitors, off-limits prospects
• NBA
Rookie point guards exceed expectations

64 The Vault
• Tom Watson's last British triumph

68 Point After
Ryan Nece and the spirit of giving
by Phil Taylor

Boston is hanging on to Triple A pitcher Clay Buchholz (page 25).

ON THE COVER
Photograph by Gary Bogdon Insets: Robert Beck

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PHOTO

FRED THORNHILL (BUCHHOLZ)

FIVE PHOTOS