May 14, 2012 Table Of Contents
EDITOR'S LETTER
GOLF PLUS
Oozing with talent but winless on the PGA Tour, Rickie Fowler gave the game a huge jolt at the Wells Fargo by taking down fellow 23-year-old Rory McIlroy, setting up a Whiz Kid rivalry
By Damon Hack
The new short course at Bandon Dunes may represent the game's hope for the future
By Bill Coore
LEADING OFF
THE MAIL
Inside: THE WEEK IN SPORTS
Will Albert Pujols hit again? Of course—but a massive slump has lowered expectations for his first year in Anaheim
By Tom Verducci
Mariano Rivera's unparalleled career could be over
By Joe Sheehan
Last year nothing went right for the Heat. This year, as its foes drop one by one, the odds appear to be increasingly in Miami's favor
By Ian Thomsen
Thirty-nine one-goal games, 20 decided in OT, three Game 7s: Nobody captures the drama of NHL Spring quite like the erudite Mike Emrick
As she settles into her first full NASCAR season, Danica Patrick is trying to master a new car— and make new friends
JUNIOR SEAU
Junior Seau was a beloved figure in San Diego and one of the greatest linebackers the NFL has seen. His suicide at age 43 has left even those who knew him best stunned, confused and searching for answers.
By Jim Trotter
Throughout Seau's career, writers—the author included—held him up as a superhero impervious to injury. Time to rethink our idol-making
By Peter King
While brain trauma receives the most attention, the factors that may contribute to suicide among former players are manifold
HORSE RACING
An undervalued horse ridden by an unknown jockey roared to an unexpected victory and began pursuit of the elusive Triple Crown
By Tim Layden
BOXING
Showing a brilliance that fans may never fully appreciate, Floyd Mayweather Jr. stayed unbeaten despite a furious challenge from Miguel Cotto
By Chris Mannix
STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
For better and worse, players from the former Soviet bloc have been the focus of playoff drama. Are they playing to type, or just playing hockey?
THE BRYANTS
WHERE DOES GREATNESS COME FROM?
You might assume that Kobe Bryant inherited his talent for basketball and his burning need to dominate from his father, former NBA and Italian league player Joe (Jellybean) Bryant. But Joe and Kobe are substantially different, and while the son got some gifts from his father, he got his fire from an unexpected source
POINT AFTER
By Phil Taylor
Departments
Imagine if someone wanted to write a book about the greatest—or worst—moment of your high school sports career
The departure of the Big East commissioner is a sign of the times
A new coffee-table book paints a vibrant portrait of one of surfing's original gear guys
Edited by Alexandra Fenwick
A naval officer gets the nod to pursue his NFL dream
By Dan Greene
By Dan Patrick