How to Destroy a Literary Reputation in One Move

Imagine if sports journalism were like an actual sporting competition—and the best team wins.

In that kind of contest, could any periodical in history surpass this lineup:

• William Faulkner reports on a hockey game.

• Robert Frost covers baseball.

• Carl Sandburg offers golfing tips.

• John Steinbeck contributes a story about fishing.

• Ernest Hemingway writes on bullfighting.

This sounds like an editor’s fantasy. But these are actual stories and bylines from Sports Illustrated.