Lineup

A STARLIN IS BORN

Hope is the eternal narrative of the Cubs fan—and its latest incarnation is Starlin Castro, a 21-year-old budding superstar

By Albert Chen

Page 36

42 PRO FOOTBALL

THE NFL DRAFT

The atmosphere was turbulent during the weirdest draft ever

By Peter King

48 NHL PLAYOFFS

THE PREDATORS

Nashville's grinding style has given the postseason a whole new backbeat

By Brian Cazeneuve

52 NBA PLAYOFFS

THE GRIZZLIES

A band of castoffs is finally making its mark in Memphis

By Lee Jenkins

The Dangerous Obsession of Antonio Barrera

No matter how often he's gored, the bionic matador returns to face the world's deadliest bulls

By Geoffrey Gray

Page 58

Departments

4 Leading Off

10 Letters

12 Scorecard

Celebrating Wide World of Sports

20 Faces in the Crowd

22 Just My Type

David Stern on the future of the NBA

By Dan Patrick

26 Inside ...

• College Football

High hopes in Oregon

• Baseball

The Twins' struggles

• The NBA

Time to rebuild

• Soccer

Marta in Buffalo

70 Point After

A tragedy becomes a Mother's Day gift

By Phil Taylor

ON THE COVER Photograph by David Durochik/SportPics

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PHOTO

JONATHAN WILLEY/JONWILLEY.COM (CASTRO)

PHOTO

MARCELO DEL POZO/REUTERS (BARRERA)

THREE PHOTOS