Sports Illustrated

San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner is the much-deserving cover boy for this always-anticipated issue, and the accompanying story is a nice look at the simple, Farm Dude lifestyle of the ace lefthander. But there's so much more, including a tremendous story on the effort and visionary regimen Patriots' QB Tom Brady goes through to keep him at peak production - arguably something he'll be able to do into his 40s. It's pretty amazing stuff. But there are profiles of athletes who were considered for the Sportsman of the Year honor in a variety of disciplines - and, yes, that IS UConn woman hoopster Breanna Stewart included in there for your holiday reading fun. Finally, a piece on ALS - Lou Gehrig's Disease - and the courage and activism of athletes/patients is remarkable.

- RICK KOSTER