The February 24, 1997 issue of Sports Illustrated featured the young smiling faces of Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez on the cover, with the billing that the pair "head up the finest group of shortstops since World War II." The article highlighted an up-and-coming young class that included Jeter, Rodriguez, Nomar Garciaparra and Edgar Renteria. Miguel Tejada would also come up to the majors that season. Beyond the young stars, Barry Larkin was still around and Omar Vizquel was in his defensive prime.
Jeter and Larkin are Hall of Famers, Rodriguez had a Hall of Fame career, Vizquel might get there, Tejada won an MVP Award, Garciaparra won two batting titles and Renteria was a five-time All-Star.