March 26, 2012 Table Of Contents
GOLF PLUS
Luke Donald regained his No. 1 ranking with a victory at the Transitions Championship, while a quartet of fortysomething major winners tried to rediscover the magic
Just when I thought I had finally figured out radio, my bosses abruptly canceled my show
Sports Illustrated DIGITAL
LEADING OFF
THE MAIL
EDITOR'S LETTER
2012 NCAA TOURNAMENT SWEET SIXTEEN
HIGHER SEEDS DOMINATED THE OPENING WEEKEND, BUT A TRIO OF FANTASTIC UPSETS REMINDED US HOW SUBLIME MARCH CAN BE
By Tim Layden
Coming off three straight 20-loss seasons for the first time in school history, Indiana returns to the Sweet 16
Facing the possibility of being knocked out by another unheralded tourney foe, Kansas responded down the stretch and now has dead aim on New Orleans
By Albert Chen
Baseball Preview
AFTER THE GREATEST 11-YEAR OPENING A HITTER HAS EVER HAD, ALBERT PUJOLS IS STARTING OVER WITH THE ANGELS. HOW CAN HIS NEXT DECADE POSSIBLY MATCH UP WITH THE LAST? IT ALL STARTS WITH A DAILY SEARCH FOR THE PERFECT SWING
By Tom Verducci
The new postseason setup, sleeper teams, future free agents and ballpark birthdays: everything you need to know for 2012—starting with a change in the balance of power
What makes the game's fiercest division even fiercer? Try a fourth team capable of winning 90. The Yankees and the Rays are the teams to beat, but the Jays are back in the picture
By Albert Chen
The Tigers already had a stranglehold on their weakened division—and then they added Prince Fielder. While Detroit plans for October, the rest of the Central races for second
By Ted Keith
The Angels and the Rangers, flush with TV cash and talent, are the AL's new power brokers. With apologies to the I-95 corridor, they are the game's most fascinating rivals
By Albert Chen
The Phillies will win their sixth straight division crown, but the revolution is coming: The Marlins and the Nationals are primed for an insurgency in the East
By Joe Lemire
The worst division in baseball was further weakened by the loss of two of the game's biggest stars, which has opened the door for the well-rounded, pitching-fortified Reds
By Matt Gagne
Five teams, four elite players: The division is home to the league's best catcher, rightfielder, centerfielder and shortstop. One of them will carry the Giants to the top
By Ben Reiter
RED SOX PITCHER FRANK SULLIVAN DELIVERED THE WITTIEST OF ALL LAMENTS ABOUT THE PERILS OF PITCHING TO MICKEY MANTLE. HE GAVE UP ENOUGH HOME RUNS TO KNOW
By Jane Leavy
POINT AFTER
My Picks? Pulled Pork, Joan of Arc
By Phil Taylor
Departments
Remember Linsanity? How about Tebowmania? These days, even the best stories get old fast
Ending weeks of speculation, the game's top free agent followed his heart to Denver
By Peter King
A former Buckeyes walk-on takes a humorous look at big-time college hoops
By Dan Greene
Dwight Howard's House of Waffling
By Bobby Ghosh
Edited by Alexandra Fenwick
Wisconsin-Whitewater makes a splash, adding the D-III hoops title to its football crown
By Dan Patrick