 Classic SI photo by John Iacono |
Brave New World
The Braves were the team of the '90s, winning eight division titles and five National League pennants. Only once did the team take home baseball's ultimate prize -- but the 1995 World Series triumph over the Indians was more than satisfying. With that victory, the Braves became the first franchise to win a world title while representing three cities.
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GREATEST ATHLETES |
Ty Cobb, Royston
Highest lifetime average (.366) and fourth-highest total of games played (3,034) in major league history.
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Herschel Walker, Wrightsville
Heisman winner at Georgia; fourth in NFL history in all-purpose yards.
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Bobby Jones, Atlanta
Greatest golfer ever? Swept British and U.S. Opens and Amateurs in 1930, won 13 majors before retiring at 28. Founded Masters.
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FLASHBACK |
1986: Day of Glory for a Golden Oldie
At 46, Jack Nicklaus won his sixth and most dramatic Masters with a final-round 65 that had all of American cheering for him
It was Old St. Nick who had delivered the goodies; it was the Ancient One who had posted that birdie at 17, then parred 18, while Greg Norman had taken out his Fore!-iron and mailed the gallery a souvenir on the same hole; it was the Golden Bear who had mystically come from five shots and a couple of decades back to hijack the Masters golf tournament.
FULL STORY
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SI COVERS |
Dawg Gone Wild
Running back Herschel Walker had one of the most storied careers in college football history. In 1980 he rushed for a freshman-record 1,616 yards and led the Bulldogs to the national title. Georgia lost only one regular-season game in his three years, during which he set 11 NCAA, 16 SEC and 41 school records.
Click here to see a gallery of every Georgia cover
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THE SI POLL |
Who do Georgians root for? SI asked the Peach State residents to weigh in* on sports.
Favorite major league baseball team
Atlanta Braves | 70% |
New York Yankees | 5% |
Favorite NFL team
Atlanta Falcons | 33% |
Dallas Cowboys | 5% |
Green Bay Packers | 5% |
Miami Dolphins | 5% |
Favorite NBA team
Atlanta Hawks | 16% |
Los Angeles Lakers | 10% |
No favorite | 52% |
Favorite NHL team
Atlanta Thrashers | 32% |
No favorite | 47% |
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Favorite pro team
Atlanta Braves | 48% |
Atlanta Falcons | 7% |
Favorite college
Georgia | 39% |
Georgia Tech | 7% |
Greatest athlete who ever lived in or played for a team in your state
Herschel Walker | 32% |
Hank Aaron | 28% |
Ty Cobb | 10% |
State's biggest rivalry
Georgia-Ga. Tech | 67% |
Georgia-Florida | 16% |
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Favorite announcer
Larry Munson | 21% |
Skip Caray | 19% |
More a fan of college or pro sports?
Favorite sport to play
Baseball/softball | 19% |
Running | 13% |
Fishing | 12% |
Favorite sports to watch on TV**
Football | 77% |
Baseball | 59% |
Winter Olympics | 45% |
**Multiple responses allowed | |
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*Harris Interactive poll, conducted online, of 403 Georgia residents who identified themselves as sports fans. Margin of error +/- 5%.
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Sports Illustrated's 50th Anniversary |
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STATITUDES |
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222-0 Score by which Georgia Tech, coached by John Heisman, beat Cumberland College in 1916, largest margin in college history.
5,259 Rushing yards at Georgia by Herschel Walker, most in school history.
3rd Finish in 1980 Heisman race by Walker, later tied by Michael Vick for best by a freshman.
2,111 Points scored at Georgia by Litterial Green, most in school history.
1,688 Points scored at Georgia by Dominique Wilkins.
1934 Year of first Masters, won by Horton Smith.
6 Number of Masters titles won by Jack Nicklaus, a record.
12 Number of strokes by which Tiger Woods won 1997 Masters, a record.
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ENEMY OF THE STATE |
Steve Spurrier
No, neither Martha Burk nor Hootie made the list. Spurrier's win was his fourth, tying him with Brett Favre for the most by a non-Steinbrenner. Georgians' most hated opponents: the Florida Gators (49%), New York Yankees (13%) and New York Mets (6%).
Steve Spurrier | 37% |
George Steinbrenner | 11% |
Bobby Bowden | 4% |
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FAST FACTS |
Admission to statehood: Jan. 2, 1788 (4th state)
Area: 59,441 square miles
Bird: Brown thrasher
Capital: Atlanta
Economy: Agriculture -- Poultry and eggs, peanuts, cattle, hogs, dairy products, vegetables. Industry -- Textiles and apparel, transportation equipment, food processing, paper products, chemical products, electric equipment, tourism.
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Flower: Cherokee rose ( Rosa laevigata)
Nickname: Peach State
Population: 8,186,453 (10th)
Pro sports teams: Atlanta Beat, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Thrashers
Major college programs: Georgia Bulldogs, Georgia Southern Eagles, Georgia State Panthers, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Mercer Bears, Savannah State Tigers
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