Leading Off

Boston - Illustrated
We know, we know—four weeks in a row. Thanks to world titles, megadeals and unbeaten seasons, teams from Boston have taken over SI's last four covers (inset), and in yet another precious moment of late on the Hub's sports scene, fireworks and the beaming mug of newcomer Kevin Garnett lit up the TD Banknorth Garden before the tip-off of the Celtics' season last Friday. KG didn't disappoint his new fans in the opener: Garnett had 22 points, 20 rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocks in a 103--83 win over the Wizards.

Rookie on a Roll
En route to setting an NFL record with 296 yards rushing in just his eighth game, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson rambled for a 46-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown on Sunday at the Metrodome. Peterson is the league's leading rusher at midseason with 1,036 yards (page 46). Also in Minnesota's 35--17 victory, Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie (inset) set an NFL record by returning a failed field goal attempt 109 yards.

Neil's Diamond
In 1965 SI photographer Neil Leifer rigged a camera under the second base bag at Dodger Stadium, where he captured Willie Davis in mid-slide. That and other priceless shots—including those of (below, left to right) Sandy Koufax, Casey Stengel and Bill Mazeroski—are available in a new, limited-edition collection, Neil Leifer's Ballet in the Dirt: The Golden Age of Baseball (inset).

For more Leading Off pictures, go to Sl.com/photo.