The Best American Sports Writing 2001 [Paperback]

For almost fifty years, Bud Collins has ranked as one of America’s 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, Collins’s 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.

For almost fifty years, Bud Collins has ranked as one of America’s 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, Collins’s 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.

Collins . . . has selected 27 eclectic and inarguably excellent articles and profiles. A must for any collection of sports literature. Booklist, ALA

Contents Foreword xi Introduction by Bud Collins xv Will Blythe. The Marvel 1 from Men’s 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. Fortune’s Smile 148 from Harper’s Magazine William Nack. Bang for the Bucs 186 from Sports Illustrated Ian Whitcomb. Beach Boy 202 from American Heritage Kevin Conley. A Stud’s Life 214 from The New Yorker Geoffrey Douglas. The Double Life of Laura Shaw 221 from Yankee Dave Kindred. Gate Crasher 231lC'