FEATURES
MLB PLAYOFFS
42 What It Takes
The key to becoming a 21st-century champ? Do as Buster Posey and the Giants do: Put the bat on the ball and jump on those chances to score
BY TOM VERDUCCI
PRO FOOTBALL
48 Ed Hochuli
The two-time Super Bowl ref was already a folk hero. During the lockout he became the most important man in football
BY STEVE RUSHIN
GOLF
56 Ryder Cup
I'll take the blame for the U.S.'s stunning loss, and I know I'll be second-guessed. But even in defeat, my captaincy is the highlight of my career
BY DAVIS LOVE III
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
60 Jarvis Jones
Driven by a family tragedy, the Georgia linebacker has become the best defensive player in the SEC
BY ANDY STAPLES
66 The World's Team
FC Barcelona is more than a club, more than a champion and more than Lionel Messi—it embodies a sporting ideal and is beloved across the globe
BY GRANT WAHL
DEPARTMENTS
4 SI Digital
6 Leading Off
12 The Mail
15 Scorecard
Dangers of democracy
22 Faces in the Crowd
24 Just My Type
Tony La Russa's genius
BY DAN PATRICK
26 Inside ...
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
NFL | NBA | NASCAR
76 Point After
NFL, you have a problem
BY PHIL TAYLOR
ON THE COVER: Photograph by John W. McDonough
PHOTO
PACO LARGO/PANORAMIC/ICON SMI
HOMAGE TO CATALONIA Bred in the Barcelona system from age 13, Lionel Messi (center) has become the face of futbol and the bane of Real Madrid.
PHOTO
