The Hard Way: Writing by the Rebels Who Changed Sports

by Will Balliett, Will Balliett

Rebels have always been a part of sports. From Muhammad Ali's stand against the Vietnam War to All-Star Curt Flood's career-ending fight to defeat baseball's reserve clause to gay football player Dave Kopay's battle to be different in the NFL, The Hard Way collects the stories of the men and women who played the game their way. Jackie Robinson tells how he broke the barriers of racial discrimination in baseball and heralded the civil rights era. Tennis great Billie Jean King recounts how she helped remake the concept of the female athlete. Other rebels include Dock Ellis, Babe Didrickson, Bill Veeck, Jack Tatum, Dave Meggyesy, Wilt Chamberlain, Pam Postema, and Greg Louganis. Outspoken, controversial, full of passion, and highly entertaining, The Hard Way reminds us that athletes can achieve glory beyond victory.

Genres: Nonfiction

360 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999