 Classic SI photo by David E. Klutho |
Devils Get Their Due
New Jersey solidified one of the best runs in NHL history this season by winning its third Stanley Cup in eight years, defeating the Mighty Ducks in seven games. The Devils used home ice to their advantage, winning a record 12 playoff games at the Meadowlands. New Jersey also took the Cup in 1995 and 2000.
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FACES IN THE CROWD |
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Carl Lewis Willingboro
Feb. 6, 1978 -- A Willingboro High junior, Carl, 16, leaped 23' 6' on his first long jump of the year to set a state prep indoor record. The son of 1952 Olympic hurdler Evelyn Lewis, he also set a state record of 44' 8' for a sophomore in the triple jump.
Career highlight: Won 10 Olympic medals.
Now photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images
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Al Leiter Pine Beach
June 4, 1984 -- Al, a senior lefthander at Central Regional High, struck out 32 batters in a 13 1/3-inning scoreless tie with Wall High, called because of rain. He was five Ks shy of the national record, set over 17 innings. Al is 10-0 with four no-hitters this season.
Career highlight: Threw the first no-hitter in Marlins history.
Now photo by Fernando Medina/Getty Images
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GREATEST ATHLETES |
Carl Lewis, Willingboro
Won four gold medals at 1984 Olympics, three medals (two golds and a silver) at the '88 Olympics, two golds at the '92 Olympics and a gold in the long jump in '96.
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Rick Barry, Roselle Park
All-State at Roselle Park High; NBA Rookie of the Year with Warriors; 23.2 ppg for career.
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Franco Harris, Mount Holly
Ran for more than 1,000 yards eight times in 13 seasons with Steelers; member of four Super Bowl-championship teams.
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FLASHBACK |
2000: Devil of a Time
The throwback Devils clinched a nail-biter of a Stanley Cup victory
Ken Daneyko had his second Stanley Cup, a cigar that was half a
city block long and his emotions in check after having wept
unashamedly moments earlier as he'd spoken of outgoing New
Jersey Devils owner John McMullen. The one thing Daneyko, a
36-year-old defenseman, didn't have were his two front teeth.
"Anybody got my teeth?" he screamed amid the celebratory din of
the dressing room.
FULL STORY
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THE SI POLL |
Who do New Jerseyites root for? SI asked the Garden State residents to weigh in* on sports.
Favorite major league baseball team
New York Yankees | 44% |
New York Mets | 23% |
Philadelphia Phillies | 15% |
Favorite NFL team
New York Giants | 39% |
New York Jets | 18% |
Philadelphia Eagles | 13% |
Favorite NBA team
New Jersey Nets | 28% |
New York Knicks | 16% |
Philadelphia 76ers | 14% |
No favorite team | 29% |
Favorite NHL team
New Jersey Devils | 37% |
Philadelphia Flyers | 17% |
New York Rangers | 15% |
No favorite | 23% |
Greatest athlete who ever lived in or played for a college or pro team in your state
Lawrence Taylor | 12% |
Bill Bradley | 9% |
Martin Brodeur | 5% |
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Favorite college team
Notre Dame football | 15% |
Penn State football | 11% |
Rutgers basketball | 5% |
State's biggest rivalry
Giants-Jets | 23% |
Yankees-Mets | 16% |
Rangers-Devils | 14% |
Giants-Eagles | 9% |
Favorite announcer
John Madden | 23% |
Marv Albert | 7% |
Bob Costas | 7% |
More a fan of college or pro sports?
Pro | 82% |
College | 7% |
Equal | 11% |
Favorite sports to play
Bowling | 17% |
Swimming | 16% |
Baseball-softball | 13% |
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Which team is New Jerseyıs biggest villain?
Dallas Cowboys | 18% |
New York Rangers | 16% |
Boston Red Sox | 14% |
Philadelphia Eagles | 26% |
None | 12% |
Favorite sports to watch on TV**
Football | 69% |
Baseball | 51% |
Winter Olympics | 46% |
Summer Olympics | 43% |
Basketball | 37% |
Hockey | 36% |
Golf | 24% |
**Multiple responses allowed | |
Which is more important to you, sports or sex?
Sex | 61% |
Sports | 12% |
Declined to answer | 27% |
FUN FACT | |
52% of respondents have attended a professional baseball, basketball, football or hockey game within the past 12 months. | |
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*Harris Interactive poll, conducted online, of 402 New Jersey residents who identified themselves as sports fans. Margin of error +/- 4.9%. |
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Sports Illustrated's 50th Anniversary |
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STATITUDES |
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38 Years since Princeton's men's basketball team's lone Final Four appearance.
.574 All-time winning percentage of the USFL's New Jersey Generals.
25 Years since Rutgers' last, and only, postseason bowl appearance (the Garden State Bowl against Arizona State in 1978).
10,440 & 7,576 Points and rebounds, respectively, accumulated by Buck Williams as a Net. He is the franchise's all-time leader in both categories.
2.19 Martin Brodeur's goals-against average -- the lowest in NHL history during the modern era.
1869 Year that the first intercollegiate football game took place in New Brunswick, N.J., between Rutgers University and its neighbor, Princeton. Rutgers won the game 6-4.
57 & 218 Career home runs and RBIs, respectively, by Mo Vaughn as a Seton Hall Pirate. Both are school records.
77-49-1 Record of Bill Parcells as head coach of the New York Giants.
29-19 Record of Bill Parcells as head coach of the New York Jets.
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ENEMY OF THE STATE |
George Steinbrenner
New Jerseyites may root for the Yankees, but the only Boss they love is Springsteen. Who are the state's most hated sports opponents? The Dallas Cowboys (18%), the New York Rangers (16%) and the Boston Red Sox (14%).
George Steinbrenner | 24% |
Bill Parcells | 8% |
Mark Messier | 6% |
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FAST FACTS |
Admission to statehood: Dec. 18, 1787 (3rd)
Area: 8722 square miles
Bird: Eastern Goldfinch
Capital: Trenton
Economy: Agriculture: Nursery stock, horses, vegetables, fruits and nuts, seafood, dairy products. Industry: Chemical products, food processing, electric equipment, printing and publishing, tourism.
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Flower: Violet (Viola sororia)
Nickname: Garden State
Population: 8,414,350 (9th)
Pro sports teams: New Jersey Nets, New Jersey Devils, New York/New Jersey MetroStars
Major college programs: Princeton Tigers, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Seton Hall Pirates |
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