Incredible Little League pitcher Mo'ne Davis lands Sports Illustrated cover

The 13-year-old baseball sensation is the first Little Leaguer ever to appear on the magazine's cover

Published August 19, 2014 7:58PM (EDT)

Pennsylvania's  Mo'ne Davis delivers in the fifth inning against Tennessee during a baseball game in United States pool play at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Friday, Aug. 15, 2014. Pennsylvania won 4-0 with Davis pitching a complete game two-hit shutout. AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)  (AP)
Pennsylvania's Mo'ne Davis delivers in the fifth inning against Tennessee during a baseball game in United States pool play at the Little League World Series tournament in South Williamsport, Pa., Friday, Aug. 15, 2014. Pennsylvania won 4-0 with Davis pitching a complete game two-hit shutout. AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (AP)

Sports Illustrated does not have the most admirable history of featuring women on its cover, but this week's issue is a notable exception: 13-year-old pitching sensation and Little League star Mo'ne Davis will appear on SI's national issue cover, the magazine reports.

"Last week, this week, maybe next week, she's owned the sports conversation," managing editor Chris Stone said. "How often do you get to say this about a 13-year-old girl? It's the easiest type of story to identify as a cover story."

Davis is the first Little League player featured on the national cover, and has created quite a buzz at this year's Little League World Series. The baseball wunderkind is one of two girls to make it to the LLWS this year, and the 17th female to compete in the series' history. According to a preview of SI's profile on Davis, though, the young star is not even sure she wants to stick with the sport.

"To be honest, I never thought I’d be famous for baseball,” Davis said. “I want to play basketball, and I could also do both basketball and baseball -- but I really want to play basketball.”

Well, if Davis can dunk the way she pitches, she'll no doubt appear on the national cover again in a basketball jersey. Watch a clip of her pitching below:


By Jenny Kutner

MORE FROM Jenny Kutner


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Baseball Feminism Girls Little League World Series Mo'ne Davis Sexism Sports Sports Illustrated Video Women