Sports Illustrated Blog #9 –
Welcome to my 9th in a series of Sports Illustrated informational reviews. In this blog, I will finish my individual commentary on the top 50 ranked collectable SI’s with a brief dialogue on each cover entry #’s 41 thru 50 and include the follow up ranking list #’s 51 thru 100 with their ranking scores. As always, I invite my readers to comment on my assertions and perhaps add a list of their own.
It’s interesting to note that in compiling my top 100 rankings, I actually had an additional 100 collectable covers that didn’t make the cut. Over the years (since 1954) Sports Illustrated’s mastery/monopoly over quality writing and sports photography, has left no other sports publication in the conversation. SI covers really tell a story on the highs and lows of sports chronology since 8-16-1954 and when they say “Illustrated” in their name, their iconic pictures are not only etched into our brains but have become commonplace in our everyday lives. They are by far the most collected sports publication since 1954, with SI publisher TIME magazine most highly regarded by collectors for the pre-1954 era. TIME magazine and its sister relationship with SI, will be the subject of a future blog. Stay tuned for that one.
Please find below cover ranking #’s 41 thru 50 with a graded picture you can click on to link to a more detailed description.
41. 1967 Yaz – One of the most esthetic covers of all time. This guy wasn’t the strongest or the biggest – he just put his all into everything he did. A Master of the Green Wall. A dark era print, this one is very very difficult to find in quality newsstand condition. This first cover is a sleeper. Don’t be shy about adding this one to your collection if you are lucky enough to find one.
42. 1957 Mantle – One of the few non-common issues from 1957. The start of the dark era, most occurrences of this issue are filled with stress marks and excessive wear. The second full Mantle cover, keep this one high on your list of overlooked diamonds in the rough.
43. 1965 Swimsuit – I included the 60’s swimsuits as #16 on my top 100 list but this one in particular is elusive in newsstand. I don’t know the circulation numbers but Sue Peterson is rare. Dark era and esthetic. It doesn’t get any better or harder to find than this one. 
44. 1967 Orr – The greatest defenseman of all time. Watching Bobby Orr on the highlight films is like watching poetry in motion. Blood on his face, intensity in his eyes – another dark era print which is scarce in quality newsstand condition. One of the most collectable of the 60’s.
45. 1965 Oliva – Tony Oliva is one of the most underrated hitters of all time. Our cover here shows that classic “hit it where they ain’t” swing. Perennial .300 hitter. Another dark era print, I’ve never seen a high grade 65 Oliva but I’m sure they’re out there. Not the most collectable yet but when word gets out how hard this one is, you’ll be glad you bought one now!
46. 1962 Gifford – 1959 thru 1964 is the heart of the SI dark era and the Gifford cover is as difficult as any print during this period. Solid dark blue background wrinkles, creases and scratches easily. Hall of Famer with a NYG following.
47. 1973 Secretariat – Arguably the greatest horse of all time. Very popular with even major sports collectors. Top grades of this issue have proven to be incredibly difficult due to the solid green background which tends to highlight any minor handling or age flaws. Only three grades in the 9’s with only one 9.8!
48. 1970 Butkus – Perhaps the most menacing cover picture of all SI’s. Butkus was always famous for his intimidating playing style and this cover captures the man and the moment perfectly. If you like esthetic covers, this one ranks near the top. Get one and get it signed. Who would win in a duel between Ditka and Butkus??? Bears fans love ‘em.
49. 1959 Willie Mays – The population of the newsstand high grade 59 and 62 Mays covers has been significantly limited due to the quality of materials used during this era. In addition, the 59 is a “Fat” issue which adds more stress to the binding further limiting high quality population. You’ll be lucky to even find a newsstand copy let alone have it grade above 7.0. I have a fondness for these two issues because they continue to update the Mays chronology which was missing for other black athletes during the 50’s and 60’s – Aaron and Clemente in particular.
50. 1962 Willie Mays – Also see #49 above. If you can accumulate all the SI Mays covers (about 10) in high grade, you’ll have a quality registry as well as a chronology of one of the greatest of all time.
SI Covers Ranking – Top 100 for Collectability, Population Scarcity and Investment Potential.
Rank Year Newsstand Cover Pop Cond. Cosmet Collect Invest Total
Scarcity Scarcity ics ability ment
| 1 | 1961 | Roger Maris | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 48 |
| 2 | 1956 | Mickey Mantle (all pages) | 10 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 48 |
| 3 | 1959 | Johnny Unitas | 9 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 47 |
| 4 | 1967 | Roberto Clemente | 8 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 46 |
| 5 | 1969 | Reggie Jackson | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 45 |
| 6 | 1961 | Fran Tarkenton | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 45 |
| 7 | 1968 | Pete Rose | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 45 |
| 8 | 1969 | Hank Aaron | 8 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 45 |
| 9 | 1963 | Cassuis Clay | 7 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 45 |
| 10 | 1960 | Jim Brown | 8 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 45 |
| 11 | 1962 | Mickey Mantle | 7 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 44 |
| 12 | 1961 | Bart Starr | 8 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 44 |
| 13 | 1955 | Ted Williams | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 44 |
| 14 | 1964 | Swimsuit | 9 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 44 |
| 15 | 1965 | Joe Namath | 8 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 44 |
| 16 | 1965 | Swimsuits (1965-1969) | 9 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 43 |
| 17 | 1974 | Hank Aaron 715 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 43 |
| 18 | 1970 | Swimsuit | 9 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 43 |
| 19 | 1960 | Jack Nicklaus | 8 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 43 |
| 20 | 1971 | Swimsuits (1970-1979) | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 42 |
| 21 | 2002 | Tom Brady The Natural | 5 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 42 |
| 22 | 1954 | Issue #2 | 8 | 10 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 42 |
| 23 | 1956 | Warren Spahn | 7 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 41 |
| 24 | 1981 | Wayne Gretzky | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 41 |
| 25 | 1977 | Larry Bird | 5 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 41 |
| 26 | 1970 | Steve Prefontaine | 9 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 40 |
| 27 | 1955 | Yogi Berra | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 40 |
| 28 | 1980 | Olympic Hockey | 5 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 40 |
| 29 | 2002 | Tom Brady Amazing | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 40 |
| 30 | 1955 | Al Rosen | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 40 |
| 31 | 1956 | AllStar Game | 8 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 40 |
| 32 | 1955 | Willie Mays | 8 | 8 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 40 |
| 33 | 1983 | Michael Jordan | 7 | 9 | 5 | 10 | 9 | 40 |
| 34 | 1975 | Ali Frazier | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 40 |
| 35 | 1974 | Ali Foreman | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 40 |
| 36 | 1971 | Ali Frazier | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 40 |
| 37 | 1955 | Hogan | 8 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 40 |
| 38 | 1956 | Mantle WS | 8 | 10 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 40 |
| 39 | 1996 | Derek Jeter | 7 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 40 |
| 40 | 1962 | Tarkenton | 8 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 40 |
| 41 | 1967 | Yaz | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 40 |
| 42 | 1957 | Mantle | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 40 |
| 43 | 1965 | swimsuit | 10 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 40 |
| 44 | 1967 | Orr | 9 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 40 |
| 45 | 1965 | Oliva | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 40 |
| 46 | 1962 | Gifford | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 40 |
| 47 | 1973 | Secretariat | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 40 |
| 48 | 1970 | Butkus | 7 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 40 |
| 49 | 1959 | Mays | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 39 |
| 50 | 1962 | Mays | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 39 |
| 51 | 1976 | Brett | 9 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 39 |
| 52 | 1976 | Schmidt | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 39 |
| 53 | 1968 | Marivich | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 38 |
| 54 | 1966 | Alworth | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 38 |
| 55 | 1962 | Palmer | 7 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 38 |
| 56 | 1970 | Conigliaro | 6 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 37 |
| 57 | 1960 | Arnold Palmer | 5 | 10 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 36 |
| 58 | 1956 | Ford | 7 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 36 |
| 59 | 1961 | Chamberlain | 8 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 36 |
| 60 | 1956 | Cousy | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 36 |
| 61 | 1961 | Palmer SOY | 9 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 36 |
| 62 | 1967 | McGee | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 36 |
| 63 | 1977 | Munson | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 36 |
| 64 | 1959 | Aparicio Fox | 8 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 36 |
| 65 | 1961 | Player | 8 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 36 |
| 66 | 1974 | Julius Irving | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 35 |
| 67 | 2002 | LeBron James | 3 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 35 |
| 68 | 1983 | Dan Marino | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 35 |
| 69 | 1982 | Joe Montana | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 35 |
| 70 | 1982 | John Elway | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 35 |
| 71 | 1965 | Mantle | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
| 72 | 1958 | Mantle Berra Yankees | 7 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
| 73 | 1966 | Sayers | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
| 74 | 1974 | Ali Foreman | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
| 75 | 1956 | Hornung | 7 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 34 |
| 76 | 1956 | Kaline | 7 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 34 |
| 77 | 1957 | Musial Williams | 8 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 34 |
| 78 | 1966 | Robinson robinson | 8 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 34 |
| 79 | 1966 | Riley | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 34 |
| 80 | 1966 | Morgan | 8 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 34 |
| 81 | 1976 | Payton | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 34 |
| 82 | 1996 | Peyton Manning | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 33 |
| 83 | 1955 | Marciano | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 33 |
| 84 | 1956 | Martin | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 33 |
| 85 | 1970 | Mays | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 33 |
| 86 | 1969 | Lombardi | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 33 |
| 87 | 1956 | St Louis | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 33 |
| 88 | 1964 | Clay | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 33 |
| 89 | 1964 | Clay | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 33 |
| 90 | 1966 | Alcindor | 9 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 33 |
| 91 | 1986 | Tyson | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 33 |
| 92 | 1959 | White Sox | 7 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 32 |
| 93 | 1996 | Bret Favre | 5 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 31 |
| 94 | 1989 | Jerry Rice | 5 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 31 |
| 95 | 1954 | Calvin Jones | 8 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 31 |
| 96 | 1970 | Manning | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 31 |
| 97 | 1955 | Walker | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 31 |
| 98 | 1954 | #1 Issue | 1 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 29 |
| 99 | 1963 | Rozelle | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 29 |
| 100 | 2007 | Drew Brees | 3 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 27 |