On the Cover of Sports Illustrated - Jeff Francis

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news ... 3df757fe39

A combination of timing and good luck puts Francis on top

Vancouver Sun Friday, October 12, 2007

North Delta's Jeff Francis, who has only been in the Major Leagues four years, and started Thursday's ALCS opener for the Colorado Rockies, appears on this week's cover of Sports Illustrated (dated Oct. 15th) for the second time in his career.

Francis, who was also featured on July 24, 2006, now takes sole possession of the lead for Canadian baseball players to grace the SI cover, despite some blistering career statistics by Fergie Jenkins, Larry Walker and Eric Gagné.

"The cover of Sports Illustrated represents the peak of news at the very moment we close the magazine, hopefully with a forward spin on it," explained Terry McDonell, editor of Sports Illustrated Group.

"Besides the athletes obviously being very good at what they do, it is totally timing and a lot of luck that lands you on the cover. There are so many variables. Sometimes it's an easy call, but most times a very tough call to make."

Just ask Pete Ward about the "luck" part of it. The Montreal native was slated for the June 7, 1965 SI cover, but the

presses were halted when a photo of a controversial punch by Muhammad Ali delivered to Sonny Liston surfaced at the eleventh hour and was given the nod over the Chicago White Sox star third baseman. Ward received a test copy of the cover that was to be, and has it hanging in his home office in Lake Oswego, Ore.

The issue that was officially published, priced at 35 cents, became the sixth of 41 covers for Ali, second only to Michael

Jordan with 49. Tiger Woods is lurking in third place with 29 and counting.

Jenkins, born in Chatham, Ont., appeared on the SI cover on Aug. 30, 1971, the year he won his Cy Young Award. It was the fifth of six consecutive 20-win seasons for the Hall-of-Famer, who went on to compile a total of 284 wins. The fearsome right-hander is the only retired pitcher in Major League history to strike out more than 3,000 hitters while walking less than 1,000.

Walker graced the SI cover on June 11, 2001, the year he won his third National League batting title (he also won in it 1998 and 1999). The Maple Ridge native won the NL MVP Award in 1997, was a five-time all-star, seven-time Gold Glove winner and clobbered 383 home runs in his career while compiling a .313 lifetime batting average.

Gagne, whose sole appearance on the SI cover was ironically in a Boston Red Sox uniform earlier this year (Aug. 27, 2007). The Mascouche, Que., native is the only other Canadian still alive in the MLB playoffs, working one inning of relief so far for the Red Sox in their sweep of the Los Angeles Angels. Gagne won the Cy Young Award in 2003 while in the middle of compiling a Major League record 84

consecutive saves.

Other Canadians who would arguably be deserving include last year's American League MVP Justin Morneau of New

Westminster and the 2004 National League Rookie of the Year, Jason Bay, of Trail.

Wayne Gretzky leads all Canadians with 16 SI cover appearances, followed by Bobby Hull and Bobby Orr with five apiece. Steve Nash, Gordie Howe and Mario Lemieux have appeared four times, Sidney Crosby twice and Mike Weir once.

[WestCoastJoe]

Local Kid Makes Good

As good as the "Cover of the Rolling Stone"?

Not according to Doctor Hook, but for sports fans, it is better. For many sports fans and athletes Sports Illustrated is the Holy Grail of media recognition.

Jeff Francis is keeping up the tradition of local boys making it to the Big Show and excelling, a tradition begun by Larry Walker.

Walker graced the SI cover on June 11, 2001, the year he won his third National League batting title (he also won in it 1998 and 1999). The Maple Ridge native won the NL MVP Award in 1997, was a five-time all-star, seven-time Gold Glove winner and clobbered 383 home runs in his career while compiling a .313 lifetime batting average.

Adam Loewen

Ryan Dempster

and some other "good Canadian kids" are doing just fine in the Bigs. (Justin Morneau, Jason Bay)

[Rammer]

The SI factor of being on the cover didn't phase Jeff Francis, who came up big when needed in his game one start last night.

[WestCoastJoe]

The SI factor of being on the cover didn't phase Jeff Francis, who came up big when needed in his game one start last night.

Maybe since it was his second time on the cover, Rammer. That might have broken the S.I. cover "jinx" for him. By the way, is the Madden 2008 cover of Vince Young affecting him this year?

Francis, who was also featured on July 24, 2006, now takes sole possession of the lead for Canadian baseball players to grace the SI cover, despite some blistering career statistics by Fergie Jenkins, Larry Walker and Eric Gagné.