The Best American Sports Writing 2002

by Rick Reilly (Editor), Glenn Stout (Series Editor)

The series has garnered wide acclaim for its stellar writing and topnotch editors; now Reilly, Sports Illustrated’s “Life of Reilly” columnist, continues that tradition with his choices for the year’s best sports journalism. Voted National Sportswriter of the Year six times, Reilly has also written several books, including the best-selling autobiography of the Oklahoma linebacker Brian Bosworth. His most recent book is The Life of Reilly.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2002

Reviews

[Daniel Suhajda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it so much I bought 3 copies as gifts. I think my favorite was Almost a Hero about the German boxer Max Schmeling. But The Cuban Ali, Her Blue Heaven, A Name on the Wall, and The killing of Alydar we also very good.

[Ilga · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories written way back when in 2002 or so - sports stories. (You get books written "way back when" when your major source is garage sales.) But it is a great read. There are a couple of stories that stand out: the one about the girl with cerebral palsy, and the one about the coach. But all of them are quite good.

Now I need to see if there are more recent ones too.

[Wynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should buy this book for one story, "Higher Education." It is the story of a black Catholic basketball coach who comes to an all-white Amish town in Pennsylvania. It is a must, must read.