SI.COM

FOR JUNE 23, 2014

Boys from Brazil

Follow SPORTS ILLUSTRATED senior writer Greg Bishop and photographer Simon Bruty as they chronicle their travels during the 2014 World Cup and get a taste of Brazilian culture. In Manaus, they fished for piranha in the Amazon, and in Natal they visited Cajueiro de Pirangi, the world's biggest cashew tree. Go to soccer.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol to explore the country with Bishop and Bruty, and to check out senior writer Grant Wahl's feature about the U.S. team's five German-American players, ahead of the June 26 U.S.-Germany match.

SI DIGITAL BONUS

Bat Man

By Tom Verducci

From the SI Vault July 28, 1997

At 37, seven-time batting champion Tony Gwynn had become so good that he was the most proficient hitter since Ted Williams. And some motivation from Teddy Ballgame had Gwynn on the way to career highs in homers (17) and RBIs (119), while batting .372. To read Verducci's complete story on Gwynn, go toSI.com/vault

Richard Deitsch on ...

World Cup Coverage

ESPN's World Cup broadcasts have been very strong, featuring well-called games and beautiful visuals on the production side. The standout in the studio has been Everton manager Roberto Martinez. He enlivens his shows with intelligent dissection of what has occurred on the pitch, and his postmatch conversations with Michael Ballack and Ruud van Nistelrooy have been incisive and entertaining. Jon Champion and Derek Rae have also been terrific at calling the games. Read more of Deitsch's Media Circus atSI.com

PLANET FUTBOL

What has been your favorite World Cup moment? Robin van Persie's diving header for the Netherlands in its 5--1 win against Spain? Neymar's mis-hit equalizer that propelled Brazil to a 3--1 comeback victory over Croatia? How about Messi's magic versus Bosnia and Herzegovina? Check out SI.com's Planet F√∫tbol, your destination for all things World Cup. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED writers Grant Wahl and Brian Straus bring you all the news from Brazil at soccer.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol

Instagram OF THE WEEK

Follow @SI_soccer on Instagram for the most captivating images from Brazil, including this shot from SI photographer Simon Bruty of a fan having a ball on the streets of Salvador.

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DEAN TURNER/GETTY IMAGES (MONITOR)

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DAVID E. KLUTHO FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (GWYNN)

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MEL LEVINE FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (DEITSCH)

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SIMON BRUTY/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (INSTAGRAM)

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PAOLO NUCCI/ACTION PLUS/ICON SMI (NEYMAR)

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ALI HAIDER/EPA (VAN PERSIE)

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TAYLOR BALLANTYNE FOR SPORTS ILLUSTRATED (BISHOP)

ILLUSTRATION