Lineup

34 | PRO FOOTBALL

London Fletcher

The Redskins' linebacker has made a 15-year career of far exceeding expectations

By Tim Layden

42 | WORDS WITH ...

Chris Fowler

The host of College GameDay discusses his two decades as a Saturday-morning staple

By Richard Deitsch

46 | SOCCER

Mario Balotelli

Italy's 23-year-old star forward has talent that's every bit as electric as his personality

By Grant Wahl

52 | PRO BASKETBALL

Brad Stevens

The Celts' new coach is a lifelong student of the game—fitting, because he could pass for a college kid

By Tim Layden

26 THE SWING

See the ball, hit the ball? Mastering the intricate choreography it takes to square up a baseball remains one of the game's enduringly beautiful—and maddening—mysteries

By Tom Verducci

2 | SI Digital

4 | Leading Off

10 | The Mail

13 | Scorecard

19 | Faces in the Crowd

20 | Just My TypeDan Patrick

Eli Manning on getting a perm

60 | Point AfterLee Jenkins

The Dodgers: winning games, hearts

SI HAS REGIONAL COVERS THIS WEEK: TOM DIPACE (DAVIS); JEFFERY A. SALTER FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (BALOTELLI, AT THE ST. REGIS BAL HARBOUR)

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PHOTO

ROB CARR/GETTY IMAGES (DAVIS)

FEELING AT HOME A rebuilt swing has made first baseman Chris Davis the game's premier power hitter.

PHOTO

GEOFF BURKE/USA TODAY SPORTS (FLETCHER)

THREE PHOTOS