It appears another legendary magazine is about to disappear from the stands, as stories are circulating that Sports Illustrated may soon be publishing its final print edition. While it has declined as an intellectual property in recent years, SI at its peak was filled with top-quality photography and writing that still holds on decades later.
Sports Illustrated, October 19, 1981.
SI was one of the first non-children’s magazines I read regularly, thanks to my father’s long-running subscription. One of the first SI pieces I clearly remember reading was an ad insert celebrating the World Series, which was ideal for a little nerd developing an interest in baseball history.
Introduction to the first chapter of As The Ball Bounces. Inside Sports, August 1982.
For some reason, there was a year where our SI subscription was replaced by Inside Sports, which Newsweek had launched in 1979 as an edgier competitor. Its oddest element was an ongoing soap opera, As The Ball Bounces, written by veteran sports journalist Robert Lipsyte and illustrated by Frank Springer (who, at the time, was drawing Dazzler for Marvel Comics). I don’t know if this saga was ever finished, as Inside Sports (temporarily, as it turned out) suspended publication. Our subscription was filled out with Sport, which wasn’t nearly as interesting. Soon, SI reappeared in our mailbox.
Sports Ilustrated, April 29, 1985.
Unlike most of the six million magazines a month that we subscribed to, which my father clipped for reference material for his students, SI wound up stored in boxes at home - originally in the crawl space, where they developed a finely aged musty aroma, then in our backyard shed. A few times a year, I’d pull out the boxes and flip through them, re-reading features I loved, discovering which stories made more sense as I grew older, seeing how predictions panned out, and generally appreciating the quality of the writing. There were points where I imagined a future career as a sportswriter, which declined alongside my interest in pro games.
And yes, I read the swimsuit issue, though you’ll be shocked (shocked!) to learn my favourite edition was the 25th anniversary retrospective that caught up with past cover models.
Sports Ilustrated, October 14, 1957.
The magazine had a rocky start. "When Time Inc. patriarch Henry Luce launched SI in 1954," Michael MacCambridge notes on the jacket of his book The Franchise, "it was inept and misguided -- dismissed by most mainstream sports fans as a snobbish, upper-crust magazine more interested in covering dog shows and country-club fashions than popular sports." For example, bridge expert Charles Goren regularly appeared on covers.
Among the oddest cover stories for a magazine dedicated to sports: this 1961 feature, which opened a three-part series on safe driving, which was deemed necessary as "too many Americans have grown careless and lazy in their highway habits."
I'd love to know how the writers would feel about driving around Toronto over 60 years later...
If this is goodbye to SI, you had a good run.
Recommended Reading: The Franchise by Michael MacCambridge, which covers the history of SI up through the mid-1990s.
The Internet Archive has a solid run of SI from the beginning to 1983, plus scattered issues after that. For now, because one never knows when these things will vanish, there’s also the SI Vault.
When I read George Plimpton’s profile of eccentric New York Mets prospect Sidd Finch the week it came out in 1985, I sensed there was something…odd about it? This was around my peak interest in baseball and I had never heard of this reclusive, horn-playing pitcher. Let’s say the cover date should have tipped me off…
What’s New?
Toronto Star, January 1, 1991.
Two TVO pieces this time out. First: to mark the passing of Brian Mulroney, I looked at the introduction of one of his government’s most controversial policies, the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Let’s say it had a chaotic start, one that was a golden age for cash register and taxi meter technicians.
Publicity photo of Kit Coleman, ca. 1894. Library and Archives Canada.
For International Women’s Day, I looked at trailblazing journalist Kit Colemen, who was Canada’s first officially accredited war correspondent when she went to Cuba to cover the Spanish-American War in 1898.
Owen Sound Sun-Times, May 4, 1940.
For Cottage Life, I looked at the recent discovery of the S.S. Arlington, a grain ship which sank into Lake Superior in 1940. Why the captain lived up to stereotype and went down with the ship when everyone else aboard survived remains a mystery.
Toronto Star, July 4, 1958.
Finally, over on Spacing I look at the efforts by some suburban politicians to block the Bloor-Danforth Subway (today’s Line 2) because they felt it would be a tax burden that their constituents would never use. Probably one of those examples I would use if I ever write a “Toronto the Cheap” book.
Coming Soon
Toronto Star, January 30, 1976.
Why is Metro Toronto chairman Paul Godfrey sitting in an empty Exhibition Stadium in the mid-1970s? Hint: it has to do with Major League Baseball…but not the Blue Jays!
Future Games
Last time, I pitched a few ideas for future projects I should consider. So far, feedback suggests I should finally tackle a book…but what do you think? Leave your opinion!
Hire Me
Seeking a writer/researcher/editor for your latest project? I am always taking on new work. Beyond my historical niche, which often leads in surprising directions, I want to expand my horizons and explore new ways of utilizing my skills. I am interested in working on general projects in the corporate, educational, and non-profit sectors where clear communication and presenting solid facts is a must. Privately message me at jamiebradburnwriting[AT]gmail.com if I can assist you.
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That’s all for this edition - see you next time!