Holiday Gift Guide

SI Staff | Dec 14, 2007

Holiday Gift Guide /

Holiday Gift Guide

Adidas Right To Play Ball

As part of a collaboration between adidas and the international organization Right To Play, all proceeds from the sale of these mini-red balls will go to support Right To Play projects around the world. Right To Play emphasizes the role of sport for development in some of the most disadvantaged areas around the world.

The Bill James Handbook 2008

This 512-page tome from the longtime baseball guru will entertain you through the cold winter nights (We mean you, Brian Cashman.) James, the senior baseball operations advisor for the Red Sox, has been writing reference books about baseball since 1975.

MMA Action Figures

Here's the safest way to fight the likes of tough guys such as Tito Ortiz. The official line of action figures for MMA fighters features Randy Couture, Matt Hughes, Quinton Jackson and Ortiz among others.

(Top) 1994 Upper Deck Alex Rodriguez Rookie Card #24

A gift for those who like to invest in futures: These are two of the more moderately-priced ($12.95 to $25.00) Alex Rodriguez rookie cards. Best of all, you don't have to give Scott Boras any part of the cut.

For the Cyclist

Some items for the budding Lance Armstrong in your clan. (Clockwise, from top to bottom): The Rudy Project Ekynox SX sunglasses ($159.95) offer unsurpassed fit with a hip contemporary look. Crank Brothers Multi-17 tool ($18.95) can nurse you through nearly any mechanical bicycle adjustment. It's shown here folded and open. The Blackburn AS-1 mini frame pump ($39.95) has a carbon fiber barrel that reduces weight and adds the refined look of carbon. Pearl Izumi's Velocipak ($99.99) is a high end backpack with detailed engineering and unique features designed for both the commuter and outdoor enthusiast.

The Ski House Cookbook

Looking for an easy way to impress your ski buddies? The Ski House Cookbook offers 125 mouth-watering recipes with minimum prep times. Each recipe is coded with a difficulty rating that corresponds to the familiar green dots, blue squares, and black diamonds of the slopes.

SI Covers

You may never make the cover of SI but we've got the next best thing: Over 1,500 SI covers (including championship commemoratives and Swimsuit issues) are available for purchase, including this memorable cover from 1982. (Nice catch, Dwight Clark.)

SIGG - Swiss Engineered Water Bottles

Thirsty for something cool? SIGG's ultra lightweight water bottles are available in a wide array of colors and designs, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your personality. The bottles are rugged, crack-resistant, reusable and recyclable.

Jimmie Johnson '07 Back to Back Champion JEBCO Clock

What time is it? Well, it's Jimmie Johnson's time in NASCAR these days and what better way to celebrate his back-to-back Nextel Cup championships than with this durable plastic clock decorated in the colors of the No. 48 team.

Swiss Tech BodyGard 7-In-1 Platinum Series Emergency Tool

Here's a holiday gift Jack Bauer would appreciate: The 7-in-1 emergency tool offers an LED flashlight; red flashing LED, a digital tire gauge, a distress alarm at 130-decibels (the threshold of pain) that can be heard for miles, and a built-in thermometer. Oh, it even glows in the dark.

SI-authored books

College football is the subject of books from SI staffers Lars Anderson (The All Americans), Stewart Mandel (Bowls, Polls, and Tattered Souls: Tackling the Chaos and Controversy that Reign Over College Football ), and Austin Murphy (Saturday Rules: A Season with Trojans and Domers (and Gators and Buckeyes and Wolverines). S.L. Price takes readers on a journey through Europe (Far Afield: A Sportswriting Odyssey), and, finally, there is the 294-page Basketball Book, which features unforgettable photographs and award-winning basketball writing.

Front Porch Circa Tabletop Baseball Pinball

Baseball like it oughta be: This miniature pinball-style game evokes the grand old ballparks of yesteryear. Plus, it's cheaper than a pair of tickets to Yankee Stadium.

Nike Hatphones

Just plug this headphone knit skully into your portable music player and enjoy the sounds of your favorite band. Embroided team logos appear on the front, including Duke, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio State and Oregon.

The Ultimate Ali Collection

Never vanilla, always a thrilla, this multi-disc set offers fight footage, interviews and plenty more on The Greatest. Rapper Chuck D. narrates Ali Rap but the jewel of this collection is Ali's Dozen, which offers footage of 12 key rounds that established Ali's greatness.

Harlem Globetrotters Hoodie

The Globetrotters have added a cold weather line this year with the introduction of the new hooded sweatshirt. Very cool for the budding Meadowlark Lemon in your household.

Converse Wade3 sneakers

The latest sneaker from SI's 2006 Sportsman of the Year debuted this month. Says Wade: "There are triangles going down the backbone of the shoe. That deals with me. My backbone is my strength. Triangles are strong, powerful symbols. I have 33 different triangles in this shoe. Also, like the other shoes, everything deals around the number "3." It feels good and looks sleek and nice." Way to sell, sir.

Wincraft New Orleans Saints Propane Keg-A-Que

In the spirit of the Big Easy -- and tailgating -- this grill has a 200 square inch surface that can hold about 12-14 burgers. The polished chrome keg is designed with team graphics on the top and sides. No, Reggie Bush is not included.

America's Game DVD Collector Set

The combined efforts of the NFL, NFL Films and Warner Home Video have produced this exhaustive 40-disc set that examines each team that has won the NFL's biggest game. America's Game tells the stories behind the story of all 40 Super Bowl champions.

Louisville Slugger Catalyst CB81C

You might not be able to hit like Jimmy Rollins but your equipment can be as impressive. Stay ahead of your adult baseball league competitors with this Louisville Slugger TPX's hi-tech Catalyst composite bat. It's new for adults, and length-weight ratio models are available for both senior league and youth baseball bats.

Oakley Split Thump

This new revolution in Oakley's line of digital music eye wear combines unbeatable optics with the freedom of having an MP3 player built right into the frame. Oakley says you can control your music with buttons that blend seamlessly into the frame's icon accents. The sweat-resistant frame can stand up to the most grueling workouts, and with the Overdrive feature, you can instantly cue a favorite song to rev your training session.

Mitchell and Ness jerseys

This classic Sandy Koufax throwback road jersey ($250.00) is from 1963, the year Koufax led the National League in strikeouts (306) and wins (25). The Brett Favre jersey is from the 1994 season; that year the Packers wore a facsimile of their uniform from the 1940's as part of the NFL's season-long celebration of its 75th Anniversary.

Porsche Boxster Pedal Car

The real thing starts at nearly $50,000 so why not opt for the pedal-powered kiddie car, which is a replica of the Boxster roadster.

Mitchell and Ness Cowboys jerseys

How 'bout them Cowboy jerseys! For the first time in the company's history, authentic replica Dallas Cowboys jerseys will be part of the Mitchell & Ness NFL Throwbacks Collection, including two of the franchise's alltime greats, Tony Dorsett (a dark jersey from the 1977 season) and Roger Staubach (a white jersey from the 1975 season). Throwbacks for Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith are also available.

Rodeo lessons

For cowboys who prefer saddle broncs to Jerry Jones, here's a gift for you: The three-day rodeo schools offer instruction at every level of rodeo, from beginners to budding Trevor Brazile's.

TaylorMade r7 CGB Max driver

The folks at TaylorMade have introduced a new premium line of sticks called r7CGB MAX, comprised of a driver, fairway woods and irons. According to the company, "MAX" is short for maximum distance, maximum forgiveness, maximum performance, and the kind of maximum ease of use that most players wouldn't have dreamed possible.

Oakley Holeshot Watch

Engineered with a Swiss Made chronograph that measures cumulative time, intermediate time and split time down to a tenth of a second, Oakley's Holeshot watch has a 38-month battery -- and enough cool to last a lifetime.

Shark diving experience

Want to swim with sharks that don't wear a tie. The shark diving cage accommodates four divers at a time and rotations last approximately 30 minutes, alternating throughout the day. Locations include Los Angeles and San Francisco. One word of warning from the company: "Witnessing a very large White Shark consume a seal is an extremely dramatic event, so you may need to consider this aspect of your adventure and decide if this is an encounter you wish to experience."

Upper Deck Kobe Bryant Jersey Archive

Like a CD box set, this autographed jersey (which come folded in book form) features inscribed gold liner notes of Kobe's greatest accomplishments, including his 50-point scoring streak for the 2006-07 season. The archive comes with a certificate of authenticity but not a guarantee you'll shoot like the Laker star.

The RIDE by Ellsworth Handcrafted Bikes

Popular Science magazine honored this Da Vinci-inspired bicycle with a "Best of What's New Grand Award" for the Recreation category. Based on a 1490s sketch by Leonardo da Vinci (it's the first bike to use the revolutionary gearless NuVinci Continuously Variable drive), the bike allows riders to always find the perfect gear ratio, whether starting from a stop or speeding down a hill. What do we say? Thanks, Leo.

Upper Deck Michael Jordan WINGS Breaking Through

This autographed Nike 'Wings' Breaking Through poster includes a full-size Nike 2005 basketball actually breaking through the item's Plexiglas to provide a cool 3-D effect. It measures 90" wide by 31" high, and Mr. Jordan's signature is guaranteed authentic by Upper Deck.

Red Sox Fantasy Camp

No, you can't suit up with Big Papi, Manny or Jon Papelbon, but here's something pretty close: Join old Red Sox in sunny Fort Myers from Feb. 3 -10, and play against the likes of Mike Torrez, Rick Burleson and Bill Monbouquette. Dwight Evans, Carl Yazstremski and Jim Rice also are expected to attend. The price includes housing and meals.

Supercar Life

Imagine getting behind the wheel of a Ferrari F430 or Lamborghini Gallardo. Maybe an Aston Martin DB9 or Porsche Turbo 997 is more your speed. Supercar Life offers the use of the above rides on private race tracks in Palm Beach and Homestead, Fla. (Each session is limited to 15 people.) Registration includes round-trip airport transfers, a VIP reception, overnight accommodations and meals. You must be at least 25 and have a valid driver's license. Being rich would also help.

Berline LS golf cart

Really, is there any other way to golf? Berline's Sport Electric Vehicle can be used for both the course (Augusta, anyone?) and the back trails of your estate. It offers a top speed of 19.5 mph and averages 40 miles between charges. And you can custom-design your cart as much as you want. So even if you can't golf like Tiger Woods, you'll be just as cool as him on the fairways. Maybe even cooler.

Published Dec 14, 2007

SI STAFF