Tiger, Meet My Sister…: And Other Things I Probably Shouldn't Have Said

by Rick Reilly

Rick Reilly has been called “one of the funni­est humans on the planet—an indescribable amalgam of Dave Barry, Jim Murray, and Lewis Grizzard, with the timing of Jay Leno and the wit of Johnny Carson” ( Publishers Weekly ). In Tiger, Meet My Sister , Reilly com­piles the best of his columns from his last five years with ESPN, columns that will make you laugh, cry—and quite a few that may make you want to throw this book across the room. Rick Reilly tends to get under people’s skin like that.

He has no compunction telling readers, in his singular quick-witted style, how he really feels about some of the most popular sports figures of our time. Wondering about quarterback Jay Cutler? “Cutler is the kind of guy you just want to pick up and throw into a swimming pool, which is exactly what Peyton Manning and two linemen did one year at the Pro Bowl.” Or how about Tiger Woods? “Sometimes you wonder where Tiger Woods gets his public-relations advice. Gary Busey?” But for every brazen takedown, Reilly has written a heartwarming story of the power of sports to heal the wounded and lift the the young Ravens fan with cancer who called the plays for a few—victorious—games in 2012, or the onetime top NFL recruit who was finally exonerated after serving five years for a crime he didn’t commit.

With a new introduction and updates from Reilly on his most talked-about col­umns, as well as his expert opinion on athlete tattoos, NFL cheerleaders, and running with the bulls in Pamplona, Tiger, Meet My Sister showcases an unparalleled sportswriter at the top of his game.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, Humor, Essays, Biography, Comedy, Football

368 pages, Hardcover

First published May 6, 2014

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a goodreads first reads winner of "Tiger,Meet My Sister...And Other Things I probably Shouldn't have Said" by Rick Reilly.
Rick Reilly is a columnist for ESPN. this book is comprised of his columns he has written since working for ESPN. they are broken down into many different categories.all starting with the letter "F"
such as Flaws{ big people acting small} after reading this section I can see that Rick Reilly is NOT impressed with Tiger Woods. and disappointed in Lance Armstrong.Fights{ columns that got him in trouble}guess he really ticked some people off and this section shows it.I liked the section "feel"{people with big hearts} sports figures who reached out to those who are facing tough times in their lives. Tim Tebow in particular who spent his own money and time reaching out and helping.
some of the columns are funny. some more serious. each column has a Postscript of a follow up to "catch up" I found this book quite interesting. I am not a huge sports fan but enjoyed reading mr. Reilly's columns. Anyone who watches ESPN and follows Rick Reilly may enjoy reading this book. there were many of the columns that had me thinking after I closed the book.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was inspired to read this book after flipping channels and catching Reilly on a late night talk show. He was gabbing like he was some kind of comedian, and he was funnier than a lot of comedians I have seen on late night shows. When I realized who it was, I knew I was familiar with him from his column in Sports Illustrated. He has since moved on to writing columns for ESPN, and this is a collection of them that span for about the last 5-6 years.

While 95% of it is sports related, he does dive into other issues from time to time. Reilly isn't afraid at all of making his feelings known about celebrities a lot of columnists/interviewers/talk show hosts would fawn over. For instance, he doesn't like Tiger Woods. Not at all. While he tries to make Kobe Bryant seem a bit more human, I still get a sense of grandeur emanating from him. And then there's Tebow, who he really likes. And if you are one of those people that dislikes Tebow because of his religion, let me say first that you have issues, and second....you need to read this column. I learned something about Tebow that I had no idea he was doing for his fans. Truly heart- warming.

But what makes this book most worthwhile is one thing: at the end of every column, there is a postscript about what has transpired since the column was written. So if the subject was about a cancer patient written in 2010 or a young athlete that was trying to reach a goal while fighting a certain obstacle in life, we learn about where they are today. And it's not always a happy ending.

Lastly, Reilly is truly a gifted writer and the humor is there, just like it was in his talk show interview. Worth a read.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

"War and Peace" it isn't. But still, you'll laugh; you'll cry; you'll enjoy it. Some of the best columns from one of America's best and favorite sportswriters.

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiger Meet My Sister is by far one of the funniest books that I have ever read! The book is composed of all of Reilly's funny, happy, and sad columns from ESPN. This book is a great read and keeps you very entertained with nonstop laughs. The book expands on the ideas of what it is like as a writer giving examples of what his feedback is when writing a column. Personally I felt very entertained and excited waiting for what would happen next after every single story.I would recommend this book to sports lovers and athletes as this talks about the crazy things that happen in the sports world.

[Steve Peifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

You want to yell 'Reilly, Reilly, Reilly: what happened?' For every great essay in here (and there are some great ones to be found) there are five phone them in columns that the formerly greatest sportswriter in the world would have kicked to the curb in his day. Even the great grow weary, but as I read so many poor essays it became clear to me that one of two things happened:
1. Reilly became not the guy who needed to be right, but make sure you knew you were wrong. The fifth time he tells me about his wife's body I thought this has gone way beyond any husband being grateful for his wife; it is trying to rub it in, and it's just creepy.
2. Sometimes having your dreams come true just exposes that you had crappy dreams. The big money and access to the inner circle didn't make him grateful and full of joy. It corrupted him, and his writing grew increasingly repetitive, shrill and joyless.

The shame is that when he was on, no one could touch him. This book shows the sad decline of someone who stopped caring if he was on.

[Kayla Tornello · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a compilation of the best of Rick Reilly's columns for ESPN. While I was reading, my husband kept asking me what was so funny due to all my laughing. Some of the stories are inspirational and some make you angry, but Reilly's sense of humor comes through in all of them. Whether you are a sports fan or not, this book offers insight into what's important in life, no matter who you are.

I received this book as a Goodreads First-Read. Yay!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book through the Goodreads First Reads program.

This book is composed of Rick Reilly's various sports columns. I am not a die-hard sports fan, but I still found plenty to keep me entertained and I even learned some things as I read it.
This book covers the good, the bad, and the ugly from 9/11, to fixing the economy, to which players are real heroes on and off the field.

[April Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a sports enthusiast... But this book was awsome with great stories of all kinds. And a great insight to these Sports Figures... the good, bad and indifferent! Loved it, couldn't put it down until I finished! And the writer is hilarious and honest.

[Kelly Stalions · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think HATE MAIL FROM CHEERLEADERS was a slightly better collection, but this one is excellent too. Reilly writes so well--humorously but also vividly, and he can really tug at the ol' heart strings. He uses figurative language so well his writing often distracts me from his stories. Make sense? It does to an English teacher. The following are the stories in this collection I liked the most and will possibly use in my classroom as models of good writing: Have the People Spoken?, Doing the Right Thing, Welcome to Tramplona, World Cup Buzz Kill, Football Getting Harder to Watch, Commuting to Staples Center with Kobe Bryant, The Biggest Patriots Fan, and Let's Keep Rolling.

[Chris Seltzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a step down from Rick's last book. Obviously, part of it is that his defenses of Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, etc., did not age well, but he seems to overcorrect.

He still knows how to write, pull the heartstrings, and tell a great story. There certainly are some great stories in this book.

But there are also a lot that have aged poorly, some that inject too much politics, and others that feel like he's phoning it in.

It's a book worth reading if you have a particular interest in sports media of that time, but I wouldn't go out of your way for it.

[a.t.m. · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great book by Rick Reilly

Tongue in cheek humor, funny stories about real people, stories about courage, stories that needed to be told about sports figures that felt the need to give to people with less, this book has it all. If you don’t become a Rick Reilly fan after reading this book, there’s some thing wrong with you. Me, I am going to buy another one of his books. I highly recommend this book.

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though this book is rapidly becoming outdated, Rick Reilly still delivers. His writing is top-notch, his stories humorous, and many will tug at your heartstrings. This is about the 5th Reilly book I read, and I can say each was a treat. There are always a number of laugh-out-loud moments in his books. This one is no exception.

[Kevin Conklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read

I've been wanting to read this for awhile, but I love reading deep, spiritual stuff. Turns out, this was deep, spiritual stuff. I laughed and cried and wished I'd read it a long time ago. Thanks Rick, write another one soon, please?

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a tough one to give a rating on because it's not a book but more a collection of articles and stories from over the years. Some of them are good, a few are great, but the majority are cringey or bad or sexist, outdated or elitist.

[Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was really funny

[T B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reilly is a gifted writer and there are many short essays that will tickle readers. Not great but definitely entertaining.

[Jimo15 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty amusing.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a well-versed sports fan, but this was a wonderful read. Great writer.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed "Life of Reilly" and "Hate mail from cheerleaders", but this one not so much. Reilly comes across more jaded.

[Wayne · Rating 2 out of 5]

A grand collection of some of Reilly's most mediocre columns. He's much better than this... usually.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reilly always entertains. Doesnt matter the subject

[Joan Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked Reilly’s stories about athletes

[Kevin McInerney · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a collection of Rick Reilly's columns in the period 2011-2013. Reilly is a good read, once a month. A whole book, or audiobook, is too much and becomes tiresome after the 4th or 5th story.

[John Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of his columns combined into a book. Fun and easy read about Baseball, basketball, football, golf...

[Doug Wynkoop · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not a super fan of Rick Reilly prior to reading this book. However, I enjoyed his book and learned that he has more wit and insight than I first believed.

[Ray Cali · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Rick’s best 🙁

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rick Reilly is one of the best known columnists in sports. He is gifted at exposing the egos and the hypocrisy of sports figures – players, management, ownership, even fans – when they’ve got it coming to them, and equally gifted at showing their humanity and humility when appropriate. Reilly has a soft spot for the underdog; he makes you want to root even harder for him / her / them – especially if it involves a kid with health issues.

The (in the author’s opinion, and he’s probably right) best of his last 5 years of columns in ESPN: The Magazine have been collected in “Tiger, Meet My Sister ... And Other Things I Probably Shouldn’t Have Said”. Regular readers of that publication have probably seen many – if not all – of these articles before. (Although each has a short postscript talking about follow-ups after it was published that the magazine reader may want to check out.) Occasional or non-readers of ESPN: The Magazine should definitely consider giving this collection some of their time and attention.

Let’s start with Lance Armstrong. Reilly was one of Armstrong’s biggest defenders through the years of rumor and innuendo – and once he learned that the cyclist lied to him, Reilly takes the kid gloves off and lets him have it. On the other hand, Reilly managed to make this (definitely) non-Yankee fan root for the organization in pinstripes, talking about how they’d specially arranged a sheltered private box for kids who cannot be exposed to the sun and then arranged a special midnight post-game session on the field for them. AND how Joe Girardi and a few of the players picked a day to accompany a blind fan as she navigated the New York City public transportation system to “watch” her guys play from her usual seat.

RATING: I find it difficult to give a 5 star rating to a collection of material that has already been published in another vehicle(s), but this one comes as close as anything I’ve ever seen. Take 4 1⁄2 stars from the cigar box we’re using as a register, Mr. Reilly – and I’ll round it up to 5 if we can’t make change.

DISCLOSURE: I received this book at no cost as part of the Goodreads FirstRead program. There was no charge, but a fair and unbiased review is always requested – but not mandated – as a part of that ongoing promotion.

[Tom Gase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I think I should not be in the journalism business anymore, Rick Reilly saves me...again and inspires me...again.
One of the best sportswriters of all time, if not the best, once again delivers with this best-of column book from the years 2008-2013. Kind of had to rate this five stars since it's like not giving a Beatles greatest hits a five star review for an album. Reilly makes you laugh, cry and think in just about all his columns. Really felt for Reilly right off the bat in this one when he goes off on Lance Armstrong, because I know how close they were and how Reilly defended him. At a book signing of his once, somebody asked him, what would make you the most upset if one of your sources told you he cheated. He hesitated (this was in LA near UCLA) and then just said, "Lance. If Lance cheated that would be horrible." But his stories on worst tat's by sports players is hillarious, and his stories on the kids that can come out and play at night due to the sun disease they have will make you weep, especially story where Reilly writes about xeroderma pigmentosum, where kids that have it can't be exposed to the sun. So Yankee players and personel had a night where kids came to Yankee Stadium and were able to run the bases, play baseball, and have a jumpy house and carnival for them as a pitcher walked around the field playing songs on his guitar for them, including some by the band the Police. The line Reilly writes, "Alfredo Aceves strolling the yard, strumming his guitar, while Brian Cashman sang the song from the Police, 'Message in a Bottle.' For one night, at least, these kids, found out they are not alone in being alone." Just a greeeeeeeat line by Reilly (read the lyrics to Message in a Bottle) and makes you tear up a little. His stories on the Mannings, John Wooden, Jay Cutler, Jason Collins and Glen Burke, Barack Obama, Phil Mickelson, a Patriots fan that ages too fast, and numerous others will have you inspired, at least myself, to continue to be a better writer myself. And they are very enjoyable to read. Each story is only about 3-5 pages, so you will see yourself whipping through this book very quick. Good stuff and I hope he continues to write more in some medium. Thanks Rick.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book of essays which entertains and inspires thought. I love sports, but had never heard of Mr Reilly. That means I have missed something.
Rick Reilly writes a column for ESPN and he is knowledgeable about sports and the people who participate in those sports.
We learn about high school heroes, college up and comers and pros who are sometimes wonderful and sometimes not so much.
There is a great deal of humor but also we see sorrow and true humanity. At times, these sports figures are amazing in their lives off their field of play. Think Peyton Manning. At other times, we see people who exhibit qualities which make the reader cringe. Think Lance Armstrong and Tiger Woods.
I enjoyed this book and anyone who loves sports will enjoy the reading. Much of what is written will not come as a surprise, but the read is well worth the trip.
There are wonderful people involved in sports. Some of them are the kind of people who should be role models for our children. Some of them are not. Isn’t that strange, except for the talents and skills they are just like the rest of us? Except, they generally have with much more money. Mr Reilly allows us to see these talented people, up close and personal.
I have only two little teeny niggling complaints. At times I get the impression that Mr Reilly (who is very talented) is a little too enamored of himself.
And most of all, has this man never seen a hockey game?

[Cathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Years ago, I gave our older sons a gift subscription to SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, and I started reading it just for kicks. (I'm not a big sports fan.) I'll admit that I skimmed most of the pages, but when it came to Rick Reilly's column on the last page, I savored every word. I fell in love with the guy's writing and sense of humor! Well, that was long ago, and Reilly has been with ESPN for quite some time now, but his sense of humor and in-your-face frankness haven't changed a bit. This book is a collection of Reilly's columns from the past five years, along with a few comments and updates after each one. They are a delight! Some are just plain hilarious (including the one about athletes' horrible tattoo "mistakes") and others are quite heart-warming (including the one about why he respects Tim Tebow as a person, far more than as an athlete), and all are filled with great humor, honesty, great plays on words, and all sorts of fun (especially at the expense of himself). If you're a sports fan or just a fan of good writing, this is a winner!