Still going strong at the tender age of 37, Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn wrested the attention of sportswriters, fans and (especially) opposing pitchers, as he flirted with the .400 mark well into the 1997 campaign. Standing at .402 as late as July 14, the Mission Valley fan favorite garnered headlines en route to his eighth career batting title. Encapsulated and Graded Near Mint/Mint 9.8 by CGC, this July 28, 1997 issue of Sports Illustrated features Gwynn on its front cover with the proclamation: “The Best Hitter Since Ted Williams.” One of only three at its lofty tier with none graded higher, this publication is a pristine reminder of a memorable chapter in baseball history.