August the 16th is a big day in sports history for a couple of reasons.  On this day in 1954, Sports Illustrated released its first ever publication. The first cover showed Milwaukee Braves star Eddie Matthews at bat and New York Giants catcher Wes Westrum squatting behind him at Milwaukee County Stadium.     

     Michael Jordan has appeared on the cover a record 60 times, with Tiger Woods second at 45 and Muhammad Ali rounding out the top three with 38 appearances. A number of celebrities have also donned the cover such as Ed Sullivan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Chris Rock and even Big Bird.  John F. Kennedy, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton are all presidents who have also been on the cover.     

     Without a doubt the most popular Sports Illustrated issue of the year is the annual Swimsuit Edition. It features beautiful celebrities and models wearing bikinis in some of the most exotic places in the world.  It’s the highest selling issue of the year.     

     Speaking of hot models, also on this date back in 1997, yours truly got freakin’ married.  That’s right.  I remember getting liquored with my brother at the West Hill Tavern in St. Catharines and then staggering across the parking lot to St. Mary’s Church.  I was 30 pounds heavier and had one ugly ass perm.  My wife to be wore a smokin’ hot cream colored beaded number and we walked down the aisle as the organist played ‘Not Enough’ by Van Halen.  Some people didn’t think we’d last 15 minutes, let alone 15 years.  To tell you the truth, neither did I.  And just like that original issue of Sports Illustrated, I’m a little tattered and frayed around the edges.  Happy Anniversary to still my biggest fan.