The Best American Sports Writing (Best American Sports Writing)

For almost fifty years, Bud Collins has ranked as one of Americas premier sports journalists, best known for his tennis commentary on NBC and his sports column in the Boston Globe. From surfing to golf, baseball to bodybuilding, Collinss selections for this tenth anniversary edition celebrate sports of all stripes, in pieces by H. G. Bissinger, Charles P. Pierce, Jim Harrison, Rick Reilly, and others.

Contents Foreword xi Introduction by Bud Collins xv Will Blythe. The Marvel 1 from Mens Journal Doug Most. Shot Through the Heart 14 from Sports Illustrated Bucky Mcmahon. Everest at the Bottom of the Sea 29 from Esquire Charles P. Pierce. The Blessed Fisherman of Prosper, Texas 51 from Esquire Stephen Rodrick. Can Riddick Bowe Answer the Bell? 59 from The New York Times Magazine Buzz Bissinger. For Love of DiMaggio 67 from Vanity Fair Michael Leahy. Swing Shift 92 from The Washington Post Magazine David Owen. The Chosen One 115 from The New Yorker Tom Friend. The Natural 137 from ESPN: The Magazine James McManus. Fortunes Smile 148 from Harpers Magazine William Nack. Bang for the Bucs 186 from Sports Illustrated Ian Whitcomb. Beach Boy 202 from American Heritage Kevin Conley. A Studs Life 214 from The New Yorker Geoffrey Douglas. The Double Life of Laura Shaw 221 from Yankee Dave Kindred. Gate Crasher 231 from Golf Digest Greg Child. Fear of Falling 238 from Outside Michael Dileo. Deer Prudence 256 from Texas Monthly Touré. Kurt Is My Co-Pilot 263 from Rolling Stone Robert Draper. Pumping Irony 278 from GQ Pete Kotz. Tough Guy 290 from Cleveland Scene Woody Woodburn. Toughest Miler Ever 306 from The Torrance Daily Breeze Vahe Gregorian. Olympics Dream Ends in Agony 314 from The St. Louis Post-Dispatch Charles M. Young. Losing: An American Tradition 319 from Mens Journal Gene Collier. The Ex-Sportswriter 334 from The Columbia Journalism Review Jim Harrison. Starting Over 338 from Mens Journal Beth Kephart. Playing for Keeps 350 from Philadelphia Magazine Rick Reilly. The Biggest Play of His Life 355 from Sports Illustrated Biographical Notes 361 Notable Sports Writing of 2000 365