Earvin "Magic" Johnson

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, and considered one of the great point guards of all time, is seen here during his time at Michigan State (1977-79) in a match-up against Western Kentucky. Since 1981, over a dozen biographies on hi life have been published including his autobiography, "Magic Johnson: My Life."

The Lakers hold the records for having the most wins (2905,) the highest winning percentage (61.5%,) the most NBA Finals appearances (29,) the second fewest non-playoff season with five (San Antonio Spurs have four,) and the second-most NBA championships with 14, behind the Boston Celtics’ 17.

They also hold the record for compiling the longest consecutive win streak (33) in U. S. professional team sports (also an NBA record) in the 1971-72 season. 14 Hall of Famers have played for the Lakers, while four Hall of Famers (John Kundla, Bill Sharman, Pat Riley and Phil Jackson) have coached the team. Four Lakers (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant) have won the NBA Most Valuable Player award. (Thanks to Wikipedia for these details. To learn more about the Lakers, visit Wikipedia.)

What Are the Odds?

Phil "Zen Master" Jackson in an undated newswire photo circa 1967-1978
from the SPORT Magazine Archive

Phil Jackson, a former professional basketball player (New York Knicks 1967-1978, New Jersey Nets 1978-1980) and the current coach of the Los Angeles Lakers confirmed his reputation as the spiritual and holistic guide of the award-winning Chicago Bulls before coming to Los Angeles in 2000 and guiding the Lakers to three consecutive NBA titles. In total, Jackson has won nine NBA titles, which he may pass this year. Currently he is tied with Arnold 'Red' Auerbach for most NBA titles.

The Legacy of Jackie Robinson--Has MLB Really Changed?

The Boys of Summer, 1955
(l. to r., Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Carl Furillo, Carl Erskine, Gil Hodges, Don Newcombe, Duke Snider and Roy Campanella)
Edition size 100, archival pigment inkjet print, image 15" x 12"

This is the quintessential timeless shot of The Boys of Summer, made famous by Roger Kahn's book of the same name. Shot exclusively for SPORT magazine by photographer George Heyer, this authentic image, hand printed from the original slide, captures the camaraderie of the Brooklyn Dodgers at the Ebbets Field batting cage early in the 1955 season.

To read more about Jackie Robinson and his impact on MLB, please read this article in today's Los Angeles Times by Kurt Streeter.

"On the Prowl" Edition of 275
Photo by Stan Lapidus
Tiger Woods with Mark O'Meara at the 18th tee of Augusta National
(Practice round in 2004)

For complete coverage and streaming video visit the Masters website by clicking here.

Angels' Rookie Adenhart Killed in Car Accident

Tragedy struck the Angels last night when rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others were killed in an apparent hit-and-run accident several hours after he pitched a scoreless 6 innings in a game at Angels Stadium against Oakland. Read the NY Times story by clicking here.

Batter Up! It's Baseball Season!

With baseball season upon us--we thought it'd be a great idea to share with you these terrific vintage newswire photos of baseball stars and teams from the past -- all from the archives of SPORT Magazine. If you have any questions or comments, please leave a comment at the bottom of the post and we'll get back in touch with you.

Details for photo above: Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio at the All Star Game 1941: UPI (printed between 1962 and 1970) with a hand-written caption on the reverse, 10" x 8"

Ted Williams/Mickey Harris after 1946 World Series loss: Wide World Photos (printed between 1962 and early 1970s), photo dated 10.16.46 with a typed paper caption (shown), 9" x 7"

Bobby Thompson on the Shoulders of Giants' fans 1951

Bobby Thompson, Bringing Home the Flag for the Giants 1951

Casey Stengel: SPORT/no wire service attribution, published in SPORT Magazine twice, May 1958 and September 1959, 10" x 8"

Nolan Ryan doing sit-ups in an empty Shea Stadium: UPI newswire photo dated 10.9.69 with a typed paper caption, 8" x 10"

Koosman and Seaver of the Mets, National League Eastern Division winners 1969: UPI newswire photo dated 9.25.69 with a typed paper caption, 10" x 8"

Brooks (r) and Frank Robinson of the Orioles 1966: UPI newswire photo dated 4.25.66 with a typed paper caption, 9" x 7"

Satchel Paige Hall of Fame 1971 inductee: UPI newswire photo dated 8.9.71 with a typed paper caption, 9" x 7"

Johnny Podres of the Dodgers makes history October 4, 1955: Wide World Photos newswire photo printed between 1962 and early 1970s, photo dated 10.4.55 with photocopy caption, 7" x 9"

Jim Palmer 1976

Stan Musial and Family 1962

Jackie Robinson & Billy Martin 1952

Mickey Mantle Retires June 6, 1969: UPI newswire photo dated 6.8.69 with a photocopy caption, 7" x 9"

Sandy Koufax World Series 1963 (image used by Topps Trading Cards): UPI photo by Joel Shrank dated 10.2.63 (most likely printed after the fact--also published on pg. 163 of "A Portrait of Baseball Photography"), 8" x 10"

Don Larsen/Yankees--1st perfect game World Series 1956: UPI photo by Arthur Rickerby dated 10.8.56 with a photocopy caption (photo may have been printed at later date) 8" x 10"

Cookie Lavagetto--Dodgers beat the Yankees in the 1947 World Series: UPI newswire photo printed between 1962-1970, photo dated 1947 with a hand-written caption, 8" x 10"

Reggie Jackson 1973 World Series 3-run homer: UPI (unstamped) newswire photo dated 10.21.73 with a photocopy caption, 8" x 10"

Reggie Jackson and Jim Hunter/Yankees 1978 World Series: Wide World Photo newswire photo dated 10.17.78 with a photocopy caption, 7" x 9"

Lou Gehrig 1935 All Star Game: UPI newswire photo printed between 1958 and 1962 with hand-written caption on the reverse, 7" x 9"

Rickey Henderson stealing bases: UPI newswire photo dated 7.21.82 with a typed paper caption and crop marks/publisher's notations but no confirmation that it was published in SPORT, 8" x 10"

Carlton Fisk World Series Home Run: UPI newswire photo dated 10.22.75 with a hand-written caption on the reverse, 8" x 10"

Steve Garvey at a Dodgers workout: Dodgers photo by Bruce Margolis dated April 1980 with a hand-written caption on the reverse, published in SPORT Magazine April 1980, 8" x 10"

Roberto Clemente honored as Player of the Month, 1960: UPI newswire photo, dated 6.23.60 with hand-written caption on the reverse, 9" x 7"

Leo Durocher discusses call with umpire/Cubs vs. Mets: UPI newswire photo dated 9.8.69 with a hand-written caption on the reverse, 10" x 8"

Rod Carew at Bat (Angels): UPI newswire photo from 1979, 8" x 10"

Burdette/Braves vs. Yankees World Series 1957: Wide World Photo newswire photo dated 10.10.57 with a typed paper caption, 9" x 7"

Johnny Bench, Cincinnati Reds: SPORT/no wire service attribution, published in an October SPORT special section, pg 112, no date (between '68 and '81), 10" x 8"

Ernie Banks National League MVP Award: UPI--Chicago Bureau newswire photo, dated 5.17.59 with a typed paper caption, 9" x 7"

Ron Cey (r) and Walt Alston in Dodgers Clubhouse: UPI newswire photo, dated 7.11.74 with a typed paper caption, 10" x 8"

Hank Aaron hits #715: UPI Laserwire photo, dated 4.18.1974, 9" x 7"

Roger Maris, Doris Day & Mickey Mantle: UPI newswire photo, dated 8.23.61 with a hand-written caption on the reverse, 7" x 9"

Chuck Connors--Chicago Cubs: Wide World Photo (photo issued between 1955-1957) photo dated 7.13.51 with photocopy caption and notations, but printed at later date, 9" x 7"

President Eisenhower greets Mickey Mantle (#7) and the Yankees October 3, 1956: World Wide Photo newswire photograph, 9" x 7", dated 10.3.56 with a typed paper caption, printed in SPORT Magazine page 102 October 1956

SPORT Magazine Debuts on FaceBook

If you thought the new iphone was exciting---wait until you see the new pictorial collection from the SPORT archive now on FaceBook! http://tinyurl.com/ae3hca