**Hosts with the Most:  2007 ESPYs Hosts LeBron James and Jimmy Kimmel on the Cover of ESPN The Magazine**

Plus:  Josh Hamilton Comes Clean, Buster Olney's  All-Grinder Team and The Sports Guy on Danica Patrick

COVER:

THE HOOK-UP: LEBRON AND JIMMY.  What do you get when you ask LeBron James and Jimmy Kimmel to host the ESPYs?  A couple of wisecracking buds who’ll make fun of anyone – especially themselves.  Chris Broussard reports. 

MLB MIDSEASON REPORT:

“I’M PROOF THAT HOPE IS NEVER LOST.”  Not long ago, Josh Hamilton was crack-addicted and terrified, a dead man walking.  Now he’s holding his own against the demons – and major league pitchers.  By Josh Hamilton, as told to Tim Keown. 

NO SURRENDER.  It’s a long summer, and without guys who do the little things – work the count, battle injuries, throw strikes – your team will melt like a Popsicle.  Kevin Youkilis tops Buster Olney’s All-Grinders team.  Plus, Buster gives you his second-half predictions. 

OTHER FEATURES:

WHAT ARE THEY SAYING ABOUT ME?  When Nigerian-Russian Akim Aliu moved to Toronto with his family six years ago, he’d never seen a hockey game.  Now the Blackhawks draftee is on the verge of skating in the NHL.  Gare Joyce reports. 

DON’T THINK.  JUST THROW.  David Carr was kicked out of Houston after five losing seasons.  The battered QB is in Carolina now, and if he wants to stick around, he’ll do well to follow this advice: Play dumb.  Seth Wickersham reports. 

GREEN MEANS GO.  It may seem like an unlikely marriage, but the monster deal between the Fenway Group and Roush Racing might just transform the way both baseball and NASCAR do business.  Ryan McGee reports. 

HATE’S A WASTE OF TIME.  The Troubles may officially be over, but with the centuries-old violence between Catholics and Protestants still fresh in Belfast’s collective memory, Dave Cullen and Trevor Ringland, two men from opposing sides are using basketball to bridge the gap.  Tom Friend reports on Cullen and Ringland, co-recipients of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2007 ESPYs.

THE SPORTS GUY.  Is Danica the next Anna Kournikova? The Sports Guy opens up the mailbag not to mention a few cans of worms. 

*** ESPN THE MAGAZINE COVER IS AVAILABLE VIA AP PHOTOEXPRESS and WWW.BUSINESSWIRE.COM***

-30-