Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, October 2009
The foreword and introduction of a book are usually things to be glanced at, gotten through as quickly as possible on the way to the "good stuff." Here, the "good stuff" begins in the foreword, continues into the introduction, and comes to fruition in the double-dozen stories that comprise the meat of the book, the best American sports writing of 2008.
Glenn Stout has now written 19 forewords in the process of reading and selecting the best sports writing of each year. His description of that process and the fear of how to say something different each year about the "same book," as he puts it, is a masterpiece unto itself.
Then Leigh Montville's introduction captures the spirit and sounds of an old-time newsroom, the stories, the banter, the whiffle ball games, the stories...the stories. And, the people he worked with: Gammons, McDonough, Ryan, Collins. Much of that camaraderie is disappearing as writers are now able to work at home and don't need to come into the office so much. He beautifully details the difference between the old typewriter days versus the computer.
The foreword and introduction of a book are usually things to be glanced at, gotten through as quickly as possible on the way to the "good stuff." Here, the "good stuff" begins in the foreword, continues into the introduction, and comes to fruition in the double-dozen stories that comprise the meat of the book, the best American sports writing of 2008.
Glenn Stout has now written 19 forewords in the process of reading and selecting the best sports writing of each year. His description of that process and the fear of how to say something different each year about the "same book," as he puts it, is a masterpiece unto itself.
Then Leigh Montville's introduction captures the spirit and sounds of an old-time newsroom, the stories, the banter, the whiffle ball games, the stories...the stories. And, the people he worked with: Gammons, McDonough, Ryan, Collins. Much of that camaraderie is disappearing as writers are now able to work at home and don't need to come into the office so much. He beautifully details the difference between the old typewriter days versus the computer.
One thing has remained constant through the years of this series. The writing is gold medal quality. The variety is amazing in its subject matter and its appearance in print - ESPN: The Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Esquire, Backpacker, Vanity Fair, and Rolling Stone.
The most poignant story comes from Tracy Ross in Backpacker. Her story, "The Source of All Things," leads with the sentence "All my dad has to do is answer the questions." He does not know the four questions are coming, but Tracy has them "loaded, hot and explosive, like shells in a 30-30." She and her father have hiked into the mountains near the source of the River of No Return, an apt place for her questions. It is a story of the worst imaginable thing for a child, yet with the hope of forgiveness as an adult. It will wring your emotions dry.
The most poignant story comes from Tracy Ross in Backpacker. Her story, "The Source of All Things," leads with the sentence "All my dad has to do is answer the questions." He does not know the four questions are coming, but Tracy has them "loaded, hot and explosive, like shells in a 30-30." She and her father have hiked into the mountains near the source of the River of No Return, an apt place for her questions. It is a story of the worst imaginable thing for a child, yet with the hope of forgiveness as an adult. It will wring your emotions dry.
"Father Bear" by Wright Thompson (ESPN.com) writes about a different kind of father. This telling story reveals Jack Nicklaus as a businessman and parent, not just a golfer. Actually, he seldom plays any more, but he is an astute designer of golf courses around the world and a devoted father and grandfather (21 of them). I've read about Nicklaus for 40 years - once had lunch in the same dining room with him - and I learned new things about him. He may not be competitive on the course any longer, but he is when it comes to designing courses and getting back home for his grandkids' games or performances in school.
A collection of short stories or essays is perfect for wandering around, finding a story here and there. Find a title that captures your fancy and start there, but save "The Things We Forget" by Chris Jones (ESPN: The Magazine) for last. He briefly recounts the major sports stories of 2008, but places them into the context of his memories of being at the last game at Yankee Stadium and his first game there as a kid. Jones' trip down memory lane is in the same league as Grantland Rice or Heywood Hale Broun. He recounts Josh Hamilton's return from oblivion and his unreal performance at the home run derby, Annika Sorenstam's retirement from golf, the Celtics' championship, and much more. When he writes about how Thurman Munson's son stood in front of his locker and talked to the memory of his dad that last night in Yankee Stadium, you will be moved to tears by the emotion and the elegance of his writing. And, you will understand why, in the depths of despair from a loss, champion athletes always know that tomorrow will be a better day.
As Jones so beautifully points out, despite the title, it is not the things we forget, but what we remember. Fifty years ago my brother and I played whole baseball games in the barnyard. I was the Yankees; he was the Braves (Milwaukee). We were everyone in each lineup, doing our best to hit as they did. It was the stuff that dreams were made of. These stories capture those dreams in many different ways and leave the sports fan hungering for more, and the literary fan applauding in appreciation.
As Jones so beautifully points out, despite the title, it is not the things we forget, but what we remember. Fifty years ago my brother and I played whole baseball games in the barnyard. I was the Yankees; he was the Braves (Milwaukee). We were everyone in each lineup, doing our best to hit as they did. It was the stuff that dreams were made of. These stories capture those dreams in many different ways and leave the sports fan hungering for more, and the literary fan applauding in appreciation.
