Main content

Looking through the lens of the World Series

Baseball photographer Kelly Gavin recalls shooting her first World Series and the path to her first Sports Illustrated cover photo.

Baseball photographer Kelly Gavin recalls shooting her first World Series and the path to her first Sports Illustrated cover photo.

The LA Dodgers ended a 32-year wait for the title and Gavin was there to capture the historic moment.

Speaking with Sportshour presenter Caroline Barker, Gavin described the responsibility: “It was nerve wracking, for sure. I’ve worked 15 years shooting baseball, and I don’t really think twice when I’m shooting a game unless it’s a potential no-hitter, or a perfect game. [Covering] the World Series, you’re thinking about every single thing you do.

“You could shoot your whole career, and never cover a World Series if your team doesn’t go and if circumstances don’t allow, you may never get the opportunity. I actually woke up the day after Game 6 – I’d had, maybe, three hours of sleep, and I had a notification on my phone from a friend of mine, who’d tagged me in the Sports Illustrated photo. I guess I got the cover shot! I didn’t know, and that is a first. It’s a dream come true, and I got very emotional seeing it.â€

Gavin also described the moment in 2016 when she was hit on the skull by a foul-ball travelling at 96 miles per hour. As a result, she now wears a helmet while covering the sport.

Photo: A member of the Tampa Bay Rays is seen on field before Game 2 of the 2020 World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays. (Credit: Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Release date:

Duration:

7 minutes