New York, NY, April 13, 2004 - This week's SPORTS ILLUSTRATED highlights the sports scene in the state of Massachusetts, marking the 39th of 50 state-specific sections to be published in the magazine as part of SI's yearlong 50th Anniversary celebration.

Identifying the tradition and history of the Boston Marathon as a sporting event unique to the state, the six-page feature also includes an accompanying essay by 26-year SI veteran and senior writer E.M. Swift , plus a wide range of facts, figures and photographs highlighting the most memorable moments and personalities that have shaped the state's sports landscape.

The Massachusetts edition begins hitting newsstands on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 . Newsstand copies in Massachusetts will feature a cover-flap identifying the special state section.

Highlights from the special section include:

• In "The Long Run," SI senior writer Tim Layden describes how the 108th Boston Marathon will add to a legacy of heroes and heartbreaks
. • Who needs success? The Red Sox' Biblical misfortunes are a unifying force explains, E.M. Swift in "The Pox on the Sox."
• The Poll: Bay Staters weigh in on their state's sports scene in a Harris Interactive poll that found these results:

o Favorite major league baseball team.....Boston Red Sox (86%)
o Favorite NFL team.....New England Patriots (83%)
o Favorite NBA team.....Boston Celtics (67%)
o Favorite NHL team.....Boston Bruins (72%)
o Favorite college team......Boston College (33%)
o Greatest athlete.....ed Williams (40%)
o State's Biggest Rivalry.....Red Sox-Yankees (73%)

• Enemy of the State: George Steinbrenner , Chalk up another Enemy win (an SI Poll-leading seventh) for the New York Yankees' owner. Bay Staters' most hated opponents: the Yankees (94%), the New York Jets (2%), and the UConn Huskies (1%).
• Greatest Moment - Editor's pick : With five seconds left in Game 7 of the 1965 NBA Eastern Conference Finals and Philadelphia down by one, 76ers guard Hal Greer attempted to inbound the ball to Chet Walker. Celtics announcer Johnny Most's raspy call-"Havlicek stole the ball!"-still sums up the most thrilling single play in the Celtics' unparalleled run of 11 NBA championships between 1956-57 and '68-69.
• Sportstown: Billerica earns Sports Illustrated 50th Anniversary Sportstown honors for having Massachusetts' best community sports programs.

SI's 50th Anniversary program, America's Sports Illustrated: 50 Years, 50 States, 50 Sports, is a wide-ranging multimedia platform that is the most ambitious initiative in the history of the franchise. The grassroots effort, which began in July 2003 and continues through July 2004, is a yearlong celebration of sports in America. It will include editorial coverage in the magazine and online, a community sports outreach campaign with YMCA of the USA and the National Recreation and Park Association, as well as The Toyota Presents Sports Illustrated's 50th Anniversary Tour that will travel to unique sports events and festivals in cities and towns throughout the country. SI's actual 50th anniversary date is August 16, 2004. Toyota is the presenting sponsor of the Tour; Best Buy , MassMutual Financial Group and Starter are program sponsors.

Contacts: Sheryl Spain, SI (212) 522-6905;    Julie Sprich, Edelman (212) 522-9511