Leading Off PICTURES Of The Year

THE GAMES FADE, but images remain and grow brighter in memory: a blazing sprint, a lunging catch, a bone-jarring hit, a jubilant celebration, a somber memorial. Every year SI's photo editors scan millions of pictures from around the world and cull the most arresting portrait and action photography for our print and tablet editions, our website and our Pictures of the Year. As much as any other year in sports, 2013 was replete with both tragedy (the Boston Marathon) and redemption (the Red Sox); triumphant breakthroughs (Andy Murray at Wimbledon) and dynasty-building title defenses (the Heat); stars returning to dominance (Tiger Woods, Serena Williams), certain Hall of Famers reaffirming their excellence (Miguel Cabrera, Tom Brady) and rookies announcing their greatness (Damian Lillard, Yasiel Puig). The photos on these 14 pages, taken by SI photographers and other shooters around the globe, tell the story of sports in 2013 in all its grief and glory.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY ROBERT BECK SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

FEBRUARY 3, NEW ORLEANS Jacoby Jones ran back the second-half kickoff 108 yards in the Ravens' Super Bowl victory over the 49ers.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRIS CONDON PGA

OCTOBER 2, COLUMBUS, OHIO Tiger Woods lay back with Jason Dufner (center) and Phil Mickelson before the Presidents Cup opening ceremony at Muirfield Village Golf Club.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY AMBER BRACKEN QMI AGENCY/ZUMAPRESS.COM

1. OCTOBER 4, EDMONTON Anthony Birchak celebrated his MFC 38 victory over Tito Jones.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY SIMON BRUTY SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

2. APRIL 14, AUGUSTA Adam Scott (with caddie Steve Williams) triumphed at the Masters.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY STAN GROSSFELD/THE BOSTON GLOBE/GETTY IMAGES

3. OCTOBER 14, BOSTON Red Sox fans hailed an ALCS homer that Tigers rightfielder Torii Hunter (upside-down) couldn't catch.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY TÓ MANÉ BARCROFT MEDIA/LANDOV

JANUARY 28, NAZARÉ, PORTUGAL Garrett McNamara of the U.S. surfed a record wave, estimated to have been 100 feet high.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY CLIVE BRUNSKILL/GETTY IMAGES

1. JULY 7, LONDON It was smartphone snaps for Wimbledon victor Andy Murray.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY BRIAN BABINEAU NHLI/GETTY IMAGES

2. JUNE 24, BOSTON Dave Bolland (36) scored the Stanley Cup winner for the Blackhawks.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY PETER LOCKLEY/NCAA PHOTOS FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

3. APRIL 8, ATLANTA Streamers flew for Louisville's NCAA champs.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY WINSLOW TOWNSON FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

OCTOBER 30, BOSTON Jonny Gomes (far right; page 94) was safe at home in the World Series. Eight arms said so.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

1. AUGUST 11, MOSCOW Usain Bolt was lightning fast at the track worlds.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY AL TIELEMANS SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

2. DECEMBER 8, PHILADELPHIA The Lions and the Eagles put on a snow-stopping performance.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY JEFF HAYNES/REUTERS

3. MAY 4, LOUISVILLE Jockey Joel Rosario guided Orb to a muddy win in the Kentucky Derby.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY NHAT V. MEYER/MCT/ZUMA PRESS

4. SEPTEMBER 5, SAN FRANCISCO The Giants and the Diamondbacks got some arch support at AT&T Park.