50 Years Ago With Neil Leifer: 2015 Edition

SI Staff | Jun 8, 2015

50 Years Ago With Neil Leifer: 2015 Edition /

50 Years Ago With Neil Leifer: 2015 Edition

Fifty years ago -- in 1965 -- this camera rigged under second base was one of the many ingenious ways 23-year-old photographer Neil Leifer was taking award-winning shots for SI and Life magazines. What follows are 50 of the images he captured during that sports year -- including assignments at the World Series, Kentucky Derby, the opening of the Astrodome and Cassius Clay vs. Sonny Liston II.

Juan Marichal hits Dodgers catcher John Roseboro with bat during a third-inning argument at Candlestick Park. Sandy Koufax (left) and Giants Tito Fuentes (26) watch NL umpire Shag Crawford attempt to stop the beating.

A bleeding John Roseboro walks off the field with Willie Mays as Sandy Koufax (32) watches.

Paul Flatley of the Minnesota Vikings makes an awkward landing after being tackled during a game against the Cleveland Browns.

An aerial view of action at the line of scrimmage during a Kentucky-Houston game at Robertson Stadium in Texas.

Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus during a game against the Baltimore Colts at Wrigley Field.

Alex Karras of the Detroit Lions pressures Washington quarterback Sonny Jurgensen at Tiger Stadium.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr in pain after sustaining an injury on the first play against the Baltimore Colts at Lambeau Field.

Paul Hornung of the Packers was injured in the same game.

Floyd Patterson with fans before his fight vs. Muhammad Ali at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Sandy Koufax pitching to Willie Mays at Candlestick Park.

Princeton's Bill Bradley shoots against Michigan in a semifinal of the Final Four.

Jack Nicklaus during the 65th U.S. Open at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis.

Leifer 1965 juan marichal.jpg — Neil Leifer/SI

San Francisco Giants pitcher Juan Marichal during a spring training photo shoot.

A scenic view of action from the starting gate at Churchill Downs with a packed infield and grandstands.

Joe Louis offers advice to Ernie Terrell during his fight vs. Eddie Machen at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago.

Yogi Berra, the then-New York Mets first base coach, during a game at Shea Stadium against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

UCLA coach John Wooden poses with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

An aerial fisheye shot of Muhammad Ali's first-round knockout of Sonny Liston.

Leifer 1965 Muhammad Ali.jpg — Neil Leifer/SI

Muhammad Ali celebrates his knockout win in Lewinston, Maine.

Muhammad Ali stands over Sonny Liston after a successful knockout to retain the heavyweight title.

New York Herald Tribune columnist Red Smith types up his story during the Muhammad Ali vs. Sonny Liston fight.

Minnesota Twins' Harmon Killebrew is tagged out by Los Angeles Dodgers catcher John Roseboro.

Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers sits on the sidelines during a game at Wrigley Field against the Minnesota Vikings.

Gale Sayers rushes past the Minnesota Vikings' defense at Wrigley Field.

Green Bay Packers players watch a kick attempt by the Baltimore Colts during a foggy game at Memorial Stadium in Maryland.

San Diego Chargers defender Jimmy Warren intercepts a pass intended for the Boston Patriots at Fenway Park.

Baltimore Colts QB Johnny Unitas watches his teammates play the Green Bay Packers at Memorial Stadium. Unitas sustained a knee injury during the previous week's game.

United States Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey throws out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 1 between the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Dodgers at Metropolitan Stadium.

Don Drysdale pitching against the Minnesota Twins in Game 1 of the World Series.

Team East's Jerry Lucas, the MVP of the All-Star Game, receives his trophy and motorcycle after his team beat Team West.

Bill Russell rebounds in front of Wilt Chamberlain during the 15th NBA All-Star game, held at Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis.

Jerry West of the Los Angeles Lakers had his face taped for this January game against the Cincinnati Royals because of a broken nose.

Stan Mikita of the Chicago Blackhawks during a cover photo shoot at Chicago Stadium.

Sugar Ray Robinson sits in the corner during his fight with Stan Harrington at International Center Arena in Honolulu.

Nebraska quarterback Bob Churchich is sacked by Arkansas defenders at Cotton Bowl Stadium. The Razorbacks won 10-7 to nail down their first national title.

Arnold Palmer in action during the 1965 U.S. Open.

Gail Goodrich drives against a Michigan defender during the national title game at Memorial Coliseum in Portland.

UCLA fans at the national championship game.

Gail Goodrich runs onto the court after winning the national championship vs Michigan at Memorial Coliseum.

Fisheye view of the empty Astrodome, which opened in 1965.

Houston Astros manager Lum Harris and Cincinnati Reds manager Dick Sisler gather before a game at the Astrodome.

Aerial view of the field at the Astrodome during a game between the Houston Astros and the Cincinnati Reds.

Hall of Fame pitcher Warren Spahn in action vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers at Candlestick Park.

Minnesota's Zoilo Versalles catches a wild throw during a pickoff attempt of Dick Tracewski during Game 5 of the World Series.

San Francisco Giants manager Herman Franks speaks to members of the press after beating the Los Angeles Dodgers at Candlestick Park.

The Green Bay Packers making the game-winning field goal in overtime vs. the Baltimore Colts.

Portrait of Arkansas offensive players (clockwise from bottom) Randy Stewart (56), Melvin Gibbs (54), Glen Ray Hines (78), Richard Trail (84), Bobby Burnett (33), Harry Jones (23), QB Jon Brittenum (15), Bobby Crockett (83), Robert Nix (37), Jim Lindsey (21), Dick Cunningham (74), and Mike Bender (76) posing in huddle before a game vs Texas at Razorback Stadium.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Jim Gilliam reacts angrily to a called third strike by Shag Crawford as the San Francisco Giants' Dick Bertell celebrates the team's win at Candlestick Park.

Neil Leifer checking out his camera setup ahead of a game between the Dodgers and Phillies in Los Angeles.

Published Jun 8, 2015

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