Have a look inside SLAM's second-ever issue, with feature articles on Shawn Kemp, Dennis Rodman, Jalen Rose, and recognition for high schoolers (and future teammates) Stephon Marbury and Kevin Garnett.

Tiger Woods on the cover of the October 1994 issue of Golf Journal, a USGA publication. Tiger won the first of his three U.S. Amateur titles that August, and at the time, was the first 18-year-old to win the tournament. Since then, three younger players — Mason Howell (2025), Danny Lee (2008), and Byeong-Hun Ahn (2009) — have captured the men’s title.

George Brett on the cover of Sports Illustrated 34 years ago today. The story was about Brett’s pursuit of 3,000 hits, a milestone he achieved with his fourth hit against the Angels on September 30, a few days before this issue hit newsstands.

Brett retired after the next season at age 40, finishing his Hall of Fame career with 3,154 hits, 317 home runs, and a .305 average.

1954 Sports Illustrated #1 — PSA 9.2.

I’ve been dipping my toes into collectibles outside of cards, and this felt like the perfect one to start with. 72 years old, the first issue of SI, and the original baseball card insert is still intact.

Graded magazines may never have the following that cards do, but this felt like an awfully cool piece of sports history to add to the PC.

Today in 1990 Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders makes his 1st Sports Illustrated cover appearance.

As a junior at Oklahoma State in 1988, Sanders compiled what is widely considered one of the greatest individual seasons by a running back in college football history, rushing for a record 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns, in 11 games. He was awarded the Heisman Trophy, and was unanimously recognized as an All-American.

Sanders retired from the NFL having played his last game at just 30 years old and finished 2nd in all-time rushing yards to Walter Payton. He still holds the NCAA record for rushing yards in a season and rushing TD’s in a season. For my money, he was the most electric and exciting running back I’ve ever seen.

This copy graded in newsstand at CGC 9.4 is a pop 4 with only 2 copies graded higher.