SI covers and local athletes

When I saw that the Florida Gators had made this week's cover of Sports Illustrated, it got me thinking: Had any local high school products ever made an SI cover? The answer is, yes. Quite a few, actually. So far, here are the ones I can confirm ...

<---Dwight Gooden, Hillsborough: Known to many as Dr. K, the ace pitcher made five SI covers. The first was in 1984, the year he took Major League Baseball by storm. The last was in 1995, when he appeared with Darryl Strawberry. Gooden was the 1984 NL Rookie of the Year and 1985 Cy Young winner. You can find all of his covers HERE.

<---Steve Garvey, Chamberlain: The former Major League standout, who played for the Dodgers and Padres and was a regular at the annual All-Star Game, appeared on four different SI covers. The first was in 1974 and the last in 1983. You can find all of Garvey's covers HERE.

Wade Boggs, Plant: One of baseball's great hitters during the 20th century, Boggs made three SI covers. In two of them, he is the only person pictured. In the third, NFL running back Tony Dorsett is in the main photo while Boggs is shown on the top of the page (Find his covers HERE)

<---Tino Martinez, Jefferson: A big bat with the New York Yankees, Martinez graced the cover of SI with Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera on May 18, 1998. Martinez wasn't just a Jefferson stud. He also had big-time success at the University of Tampa.

<---Gary Sheffield, Hillsborough: One of the game's dominant power hitters during the past two decades, Sheffield made his one and only SI cover on Nov. 3, 1997 after helping lead the Florida Marlins to their first World Championship.

Lou Piniella, Jesuit: Today, he's the manager of the Chicago Cubs. But when Piniella made the SI cover in 1976, he was one of the New York Yankees' top players. A hard-nosed competitor if there ever was one, this photo seems awfully fitting, don't you think?

Hulk Hogan, Robinson: The famed pro wrestler, whose given name is Terry Bollea, grew up in South Tampa. He appeared on the cover of SI on April 29, 1985. When this cover came out, Hogan was at the height of popularity. Earlier in the decade, he appeared in Rocky III.

Who are we missing? Go to SI's cover vault, punch in a name or two and see what you come up with.

--KEITH NIEBUHR

Comments

[Newt]

We are so proud of our local cover boys. Except for Tino and Lou, they're a bunch of dopers, criminals, womanizers, philanderers, etc. Be sure to send in their mug shots if you are submitting additional names.