Synopses & Reviews
Review
"Through various incarnations, several "Best of" sportswriting collections have effectively mirrored the major sporting events of much of the American century. The present series' latest volume presents some of last year's expected characters (the heroic face-off between McGuire and Sosa), but what makes this anthology so interesting is the coverage given to nonspectator and minor sports by this year's guest editor, novelist Ford. In addition to the expected baseball and football pieces, there are a number of stories on hunting and fishing and an editorial leaning toward remaking spectating when it comes to sports. The contributors include John McPhee, Adam Gopnik, David Mamet, and Jonathan Miles. In the early days of sportswriting collections, many, if not all, of the selections were drawn from daily newspapers. The changing face of journalism is evident in this collection as only three of the 17 stories came from the daily press. There is one constant, however. Shirley Povich, a Washington Post sports writer and editor who began in the 1920s, had on of his stories selected from the work of the last year of his life. With a memorable introductory essay by Ford, this anthology is recommended for sports collection in school and public libraries" -- William O. Scheeren, Hempfield Area H.S. Lib., Greensburg, PA Library Journal
"Articles from The New Yorker, GQ, Sports Illustrated, Outside, Vanity Fair, The Washington Post, and other noted publications, chronicling every major (and some minor) sport, fill the pages of this very worthwhile collection. Roger Angell reports on baseball; Frank Deford investigates women's tennis; Karen Karbo spends a day with an all-female crew in pursuit of the America's Cup. The range is wide, and the writing is, as the cover says, the best." Amazon.com
Review
"Articles from The New Yorker, GQ, Sports Illustrated, Outside, Vanity Fair, The Washington Post, and other noted publications, chronicling every major (and some minor) sport, fill the pages of this very worthwhile collection. Roger Angell reports on baseball; Frank Deford investigates women's tennis; Karen Karbo spends a day with an all-female crew in pursuit of the America's Cup. The range is wide, and the writing is, as the cover says, the best."
Synopsis
Well established as the premier sports anthology, The Best American Sports Writing embraces the world of sports in all its drama, humanity, and excitement. This year's illustrious contributors join the ranks of such celebrated writers as George Plimpton, David Remnick, and David Halberstam. Their exceptional talent and experience continue the series' tradition of excellence, which prompted the Boston Globe to hail it as a "venerable institution".
About the Author
Glenn Stout has been the series editor of The Best American Sports Writing since its inception and has written three illustrated biographies with Richard A. Johnson: Ted Williams: A Portrait in Words and Pictures, Joe DiMaggio: An Illustrated Life, and Jackie Robinson: Between the Baselines. He is a columnist for Boston Baseball, and the acclaimed author of Red Sox Century, Yankees Century, and The Dodgers. His work has appeared in many regional and national magazines and newspapers.
Table of Contents
The Best American Sports Writing Contents
Contents
Foreword by Glenn Stout vii
Introduction by Richard Ford xiii
Shirley Povich. Recent Baseball Feats Require Footnotes 1
from The Washington Post
Guy Lawson. Hockey Nights 5
from Harper's Magazine
G. Endgame 29
from The New Yorker
Jonathan Miles. Big, Ugly Green Fish 39
from Sports Afield
Melissa King. It's All in the Game 43
from Chicago Reader
David Halberstam. Jordan's Moment 57
from The New Yorker
Thomas Boswell. For Timeless Player, It Was Time 69
from The Washington Post
John Hildebrand. Coming Home 73
from Harper's Magazine
John Mcphee. Catch-and-Dissect 89
from The New Yorker
Randall Patterson. The Trophy Son 109
from The Houston Press
Steve Friedman. Kingpin 124
from GQ
David Remnick. American Hunger 139
from The New Yorker
J. D. Dolan. Pool: A Love Story 164
from Esquire
Allen Abel. When Hell Froze Over 177
from Sports Illustrated
Dan Wetzel. Not Your Ordinary Bear 192
from Basketball Times
Simon Winchester. Sheep of Fools 217
from GQ
David Mamet. The Deer Hunter 227
from Sports Afield
Biographical Notes 237
Notable Sports Writing of 1998 241