Story Time
I read just recently that another vestige of the “good old days” is heading to the proverbial trash bin. Yes, after struggling mightily in the last few years to stay relevant in a world that seems to be moving faster each day, the magazine Sports Illustrated is on the chopping block like so many other paper publications. SI was not just a weekly read for avid & casual sports fans, it was the eyes and ears to sports when the internet and cable TV weren’t even dreamt of yet. This announcement hit home to many who looked forward to getting their weekly edition in the mailbox and reading of exploits home and across the globe. I for one had an early affinity for this periodic snapshot of any and all sports; some I knew others that I became aware of.
SI released its first edition in 1954 with Roger Maris on the cover, a hall of fame Yankee who became the home run king later on.
I got my first subscription in 1970 and have kept it active until these last few months when the frequency became monthly and then the content became redundant. I saved most all of them over the years before realizing that paying for a storage unit would be too costly so I decided to embark on a project and save the covers of editions I felt were consequential and framed them.
The wall became and still remains a wonderful walk down memory lane of special moments. Ali’s last fight, McEnroe’s brilliance at Wimbledon, Larry Legend, the brilliance of Bobby Orr, TB12, The Rocket, the domination of Michel Phelps, and the incomparable Jack Nicklaus; just to name a few. The beginnings and ends for many like Gretzky, Jordan, Griffey and Tiger. And comebacks for others…
Careers and lives lost like Walter Payton, Mickey Mantle, Arnie, Len Bias and Bill Russell.
It captured not only the personalities but the indelible moments and stories of the time. The Miracle on Ice, the Earthquake at the World Series, the Marathon bombings and 9/11…
It followed global events like the Olympics, the World Cup, Tour de France, 24 hours of Le Mans and horse racing; nothing was off limits, it truly was a looking glass into all sports when we had no other way.
I followed alpine skiing, boxing, swimming and tennis to add to my toolbox as a sporting fan. I read my editions cover to cover and waited for the next Thursday and the mail to arrive. Stories that we all followed and talked about; Super Bowls, World Series, McEnroe vs Borg, Hagler vs Hearns, Celts vs. Lakers, Secretariat, and the triple crown were all there in the mailbox. The legendary Ryder Cup comeback, which I also witnessed in person.
As I’ve gotten older, I admit to having succumbed to some online options but the Sports Illustrated still came to the house and I would grab a read when the time permitted.
Looking at the wall when I find the time now is a wonderful way to relive some of those times, even for a moment. When I look at a 19 year old Tiger, an 18 year old Orr and a 20 year old Tom Seaver pictures I realize how much time has passed though the hourglass and I am thankful to have captured some of those great memories in my own way.
Now if I can only figure out how to see my tickets on the phone for tomorrow’s hockey game, I will be good to go...