“ESPN’s” First Issue & First Baseball Preview Plus the “Sporting News” Centennial Issue.
Lot 359. “ESPN’s” First Issue & First Baseball Preview Plus the “Sporting News” Centennial Issue. Three publications: 1. “ESPN” magazine made its debut on March 23, 1997 with Kobe Bryant, Alex Rodriguez, Kordell Stewart, and Eric Lindros on the cover. Inside, each of these athletes receives a full-page article and photo. More than one-half of the editorial content in the 184-page, large-format magazine is devoted to the upcoming NCAA Basketball Tournament. Other subjects are Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher, Latrell Sprewell, the Diamondbacks and Devil Rays, boxer Tommy Morrison, and Tiger Woods. The front cover has a horizontal crease at the left and several small, minor creases; otherwise, the issue is ex-m, free of problems inside. 2. Former baseball player Michael Jordan is the cover subject of the April 6, 1998 “Baseball Preview” issue. In a six-page article he co-wrote, Jordan discusses his second retirement from basketball and a variety of other subjects. The upcoming baseball season receives 16 pages, and 18 more cover baseball stars from Latin America. Other columns or articles deal with Mike Piazza, Dominik Hasek, the Final Four (6 pages) and, in a Dick Schapp column, the passing of football great Ray Nitschke. Nm. These two “ESPN” issues are extensively illustrated with quality photos. 3. In 1986, “The Sporting News” commemorated its 100th anniversary with a special 106-page Centennial edition. The tabloid is printed on paper typical of magazines, rather than “TSN’s” usual newspaper stock. Baseball and “TSN’s” first 100 years are the focus of this special issue. Photos are abundant, and pages are also devoted to photographer Charles Conlon and illustrator Willard Mullin. The tabloid’s “Man of the Year” and “Major League Player of the Year” selections are also recognized. The photos and articles provide an excellent, nostalgic look at baseball and the tabloid’s history. Vg cover with a label, ex pages. Minimum Bid $15.
