Our Favorite Athletes

In this exclusive photo gallery, CNNSI.com presents Sports Illustrated's 20 favorite competitors of the 20th century. Click on a thumbnail to view a larger image.

Our favorite athletes Photo gallery thumbnails 1. Sandy Koufax 2. Muhammad Ali 3. Dick Butkus 4. Babe Ruth 5. Michael Jordan 6. Mickey Mantle 7. Arnold Palmer 8. Johnny Unitas 9. Wayne Gretzky 10. Bill Russell 11. Sugar Ray Robinson 12. Ted Williams 13. Bo Jackson 14. Wilma Rudolph 15. Pancho Gonzalez 16. Jackie Robinson 17. Roberto Clemente 18. Julius Erving 19. Joe Louis 20. Chris Evert Top 20 capsules Richard Hoffer essay