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The Best American Sports Writing 2000
A premier anthology of the outstanding sports writing published during 1999 features the contributions of such distinguished talents as David Halberstam, Richard Ford, and John McPhee, along with works by promising newcomers to the field.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published October 26, 2000
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About the author
Dick Schaap
52 books4 followersRichard Jay Schaap was an American sportswriter, broadcaster, and author.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 6, 2008
It's unfortunate that the overinflated gasbags pontificating on TV during sporting events are the broad public voice of sports commentary. Yes, I know the Red Wings needed to "maintain focus" last night . . . I don't need some yahoo to tell me that. Oh, they're giving "110%" again? Whew! I'm glad they amped it up for the Stanley Cup finals; I was worried they were merely going to give 100%!
This collection of sports writing is everything that these talking heads and your Sunday sports section is not. I was transported to worlds and lifestyles far outside my everyday experience, and I was fascinated. Sports covered in these essays include yacht racing, cockfighting, pro wrestling, bronco busting, skatboarding, hockey, daredeviltry, action bowling, snowboarding, ultra running, poker, marathon swimming, BASE jumping and curling. There's a smattering of the obligatory pieces dealing with aspects of the NBA, MLB and NFL which are less interesting simply because of their overexposure in American media. The focus on individuals engrossed in their sporting passions opens doors to lifestyles many probably can't even imagine.
I do have to take issue with the last entry "Merv Curls Lead". As a curler myself, I know there are compelling stories out there. This particular entry not only wasn't compelling, but it was lifted from a Canadian magazine. It ignores the spirit, sportsmanship and, yes, excitement of curling, at the expense of portraying something slightly seedier. There are curling clubs throughout the USA, and much more interesting stories out there.
This collection of sports writing is everything that these talking heads and your Sunday sports section is not. I was transported to worlds and lifestyles far outside my everyday experience, and I was fascinated. Sports covered in these essays include yacht racing, cockfighting, pro wrestling, bronco busting, skatboarding, hockey, daredeviltry, action bowling, snowboarding, ultra running, poker, marathon swimming, BASE jumping and curling. There's a smattering of the obligatory pieces dealing with aspects of the NBA, MLB and NFL which are less interesting simply because of their overexposure in American media. The focus on individuals engrossed in their sporting passions opens doors to lifestyles many probably can't even imagine.
I do have to take issue with the last entry "Merv Curls Lead". As a curler myself, I know there are compelling stories out there. This particular entry not only wasn't compelling, but it was lifted from a Canadian magazine. It ignores the spirit, sportsmanship and, yes, excitement of curling, at the expense of portraying something slightly seedier. There are curling clubs throughout the USA, and much more interesting stories out there.
June 7, 2020
Not as traditional as the usual stuff in this collection. There are diverse pieces on subjects ranging from Tony Hawk, Johnny Chan, extreme marathons, gun clubs and cock fighting.
A few pieces that stood out: Storm Warning about the 54th Sydney to Hobart yacht race that has similarities to the story from The Perfect Storm. There was a short Rick Telander piece about former DePaul basketball coach Ray Meyer which sent me down memory lane for a few pages. The bull rider piece. The story about the hockey players and their unfortunate moment in time titled Less Than Murder. The curling team. White Chocolate (go look it up) Robbie Knievel. Joe DiMaggio Jr. The long distance swimmer trying to end world conflict (Swimming With Sharks). The story about the troubled kid from NY and the foster mom from NM who never misses his USC basketball games.
A few pieces that stood out: Storm Warning about the 54th Sydney to Hobart yacht race that has similarities to the story from The Perfect Storm. There was a short Rick Telander piece about former DePaul basketball coach Ray Meyer which sent me down memory lane for a few pages. The bull rider piece. The story about the hockey players and their unfortunate moment in time titled Less Than Murder. The curling team. White Chocolate (go look it up) Robbie Knievel. Joe DiMaggio Jr. The long distance swimmer trying to end world conflict (Swimming With Sharks). The story about the troubled kid from NY and the foster mom from NM who never misses his USC basketball games.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews