by Jane Leavy
Table of Contents
Title Page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Foreword
Introduction: In Extremis
Risks, Danger Always in Play
Breathless
The Surfing Savant
School of Fight: Learning to Brawl with the Hockey Goons of Tomorrow
The Franchise
Eight Seconds
ABC News Investigation: USA Swimming Coaches Molested, Secretly Taped Dozens of Teen Swimmers
Own Goal
Culture of Silence Gives Free Rein to Male Athletes
High School Dissonance
Gentling Cheatgrass
Pride of a Nation
The Crash
The Patch
Fetch Daddy a Drink
Trick Plays
The Short History of an Ear
If You Think It, They Will Win
The Dirtiest Player
Old College Try
Dusty Baker a Symbol of Perseverance
Icarus 2010
Danny Way and the Gift of Fear
The Tight Collar
Life Goes On
The Courage of Jill Costello
Above and Beyond
A Gift That Opens Him Up
New Mike, Old Christine
End Matter
Contributors' Notes
Notable Sports Writing of 2010
Footnotes
Copyright © 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
Introduction copyright © 2011 by Jane Leavy
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DOC 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
"Risks, Danger Always in Play" by John Powers. First published in the Boston Globe, February
14, 2010. Copyright © 2010 by Globe Newspaper Company-MA. Reproduced with permission
of Globe Newspaper Company-MA in the format Tradebook via Copyright Clearance Center.
"Breathless" by Chris Jones. First published in ESPN The Magazine, October 2010. Copyright
© 2011 by ESPN, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission of ESPN The Magazine.
"The Surfing Savant" by Paul Solotaroff. First published in Rolling Stone, April 2010. Copy-
right © 2010 by Paul Solotaroff. Reprinted by permission of Paul Solotaroff.
"School of Fight: Learning to Brawl with the Hockey Goons of Tomorrow" by Jake Bogoch.
First published in Deadspin.com, June 2, 2010. Copyright © 2010 by Jake Bogoch. Reprinted
by permission of Jake Bogoch.
"The Franchise" by Patrick Hruby. First published in ESPN.com, July 22, 2010. Copyright ©
2010 by ESPN Internet Ventures. Reprinted by permission of ESPN Digital Media.
"Eight Seconds" by Michael Farber. First published in Sports Illustrated, December 6,
2010. Copyright © 2010 by Time Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted courtesy of Sports Illus-
trated.
"ABC News Brian Ross Investigation: Swimming Coaches Molested, Secretly Taped Dozens of
Teen Swimmers" by Megan Chuchmach and Avni Patel. First published by ABC NEWS.com/
The Blotter, April 9, 2010. Edited by Mark Schone.
"USA Swimming Votes 'Yes' to Athlete Protection Measures after Sex Abuse Scandal" by Me-
gan Chuchmach. First published by ABC NEWS.com/The Blotter, September 20, 2010. Edited
by Mark Schone.
"Own Goal: How Homeless Soccer Explains the World" by Wells Tower. First published in
Harper's Magazine. Copyright © 2010 by Harper's Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduced
from the June issue by special permission.
"Culture of Silence Gives Free Rein to Male Athletes" by Sally Jenkins. First published in the
Washington Post, May 28, 2010. Copyright © 2010 by The Washington Post. All rights reserved.
Used by permission and protected by the Copyright Laws of the United States. The printing,
copying, redistribution, or retransmission of the Material without express written permission is
prohibited.
"High School Dissonance" by Selena Roberts. First published in Sports Illustrated, November
8, 2010. Copyright © 2010 by Time Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted courtesy of Sports Illus-
trated.
"Gentling Cheatgrass" by Sterry Butcher. First published in Texas Monthly, December 2010.
Copyright © 2011 by Emmis Publishing L.P. d/b/a Texas Monthly. Reprinted by permission of
Cathy S. Casey.
"Pride of a Nation" by S. L. Price. First published in Sports Illustrated, July 19, 2010. Copyright
© 2010 by Time Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted courtesy of Sports Illustrated.
"The Crash" by Robert Sanchez. First published in 5280, October 2010. Copyright © 2010 by
5280 Publishing, Inc. Reprinted by permission of 5280 Publishing Inc.
"The Patch" by John McPhee. First published in The New Yorker, February 8, 2010. Copyright
© 2010 by John McPhee. Reprinted by permission of John McPhee.
"Fetch Daddy a Drink" by P.J. O'Rourke. First published in Garden and Gun, February/March 2010.
Copyright © 2010 by P. J. O'Rourke. Reprinted by permission of P. J. O'Rourke.
"Trick Plays" by Yoni Brenner. First published in The New Yorker, October 4, 2010. Copyright
© 2010 by Yoni Brenner. Reprinted by permission of The New Yorker.
"The Short History of an Ear" by Mark Pearson. First published in Sport Literate 2010. Copy-
right © 2010 by Mark Pearson. Reprinted by permission of Mark Pearson.
"If You Think It, They Will Win" by Bill Shaikin. First published in the Los Angeles Times, June
10, 2010. Copyright © 2010 by the Los Angeles Times. Reprinted with permission.
"The Dirtiest Player" by Jason Fagone. First published in GQ, February 2010. Copyright ©
2010 by Conde Nast Publications. Reprinted with permission.
"Old College Try" by Tom Friend. First published in ESPN.com, February 9, 2010. Copyright
© 2010 by ESPN Internet Ventures. Reprinted by permission of ESPN Digital Media.
"Dusty Baker a Symbol of Perseverance" by Howard Bryant. First published in ESPN.com,
October 4, 2010. Copyright © 2010 by ESPN Internet Ventures. Reprinte
d by permission of
ESPN Digital Media.
"Icarus 2010" by Craig Vetter. First published in Playboy, September 2010. Copyright © 2011
by Craig Vetter. Reprinted by permission of Playboy.
"Danny Way and the Gift of Fear" by Bret Anthony Johnston. First published in Men's Journal,
August 2010. Copyright © Men's Journal LLC. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission of
Men's Journal LLC.
"The Tight Collar" by David Dobbs. First published by Wired.com, September 2010. Copy-
right © 2010 by David Dobbs. Reprinted by permission of David Dobbs.
"Life Goes On" by Mark Kram Jr. First published in the Philadelphia Daily News, November 30,
2010. Copyright © 2010 by the Philadelphia Daily News. Reprinted by permission of Philadel-
phia Media Network.
"The Courage of Jill Costello" by Chris Ballard. First published in Sports Illustrated, November
29, 2010. Copyright © 2010 by Time Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted courtesy of Sports Illus-
trated.
"Above and Beyond" by Wright Thompson. First published in ESPN.com, October 5, 2010.
Copyright © 2010 by ESPN Internet Ventures. Reprinted by permission of ESPN Digital Media.
"A Gift That Opens Him Up" by Bill Plaschke. First published in the Los Angeles Times, Decem-
ber 24, 2010. Copyright © 2010 by the Los Angeles Times. Reprinted with permission.
"New Mike, Old Christine" by Nancy Hass. First published in GQ, June 2010. Copyright ©
2010 by Conde Nast Publications. Reprinted with permission.
Foreword
IT'S YOUR BOOK, and by "you" I mean the readers who view these pages and the writers who labor to produce them.
Every once in a while I have to correct the misconception that this book is "mine" or that I have undue influence over its contents. Over the more than two decades that I have sat in this chair, I have developed a metaphor that I think best explains the process.
My grandfather Earl was a trainer of horses, and I've always viewed my role as something akin to his. Over the course of each year I spend most of my time either in the barn or standing along the rail in the dewy mornings, using what I have learned from a lifetime of writing and reading to take care of the horse and help it prepare for the only race it will ever run.
This book, of course, is the horse. During that year, as I take story suggestions from readers, writers, and editors and add my own accumulated knowledge and insight to the process, it is my privilege to watch the horse grow and develop until it is finally ready to run.
But the horse is not mine. It belongs to the publisher, who nevertheless entrusts me to make sure that when race day comes, the horse is ready to run. Our guest editor each year is the jockey who shows up a couple weeks before the race and gets the mount. The publisher trusts that the jockey has been around the track before, respects the traditions of the process, knows what he or she is doing in the saddle, and can get the horse not only to the gate but, when the bell sounds, around the track safely without falling off. At that point all I can do is tell the jockey what I know about the horse in the form of about 75 stories I have selected for his or her consideration, turn over the reins, and send horse and jockey off together. At that instant it is out of my hands. The jockey is free either to make use of my suggestions or, as in this year's edition, to add some of his or her own. Yet as soon as this book breaks from the gate each year and the first page is opened and read, the book becomes the property of those who are the reason for its existence and the only figures in this metaphor who really matter—the writers and their readers.
I liken the readers to the fans in the grandstand, all of whom have a stake in the race and the full right either to cheer or to jeer our cumulative effort. I view the writers as my fellow workers in the barn—the other trainers, grooms, riders, apprentice jocks, and blacksmiths who have helped out over the course of the year as I've tried to nurture the colt through to adulthood and all of whom appreciate the work that entails. On the day of the race—when the book appears—they all gather at the rail to watch the big horse run, hoping to applaud at the end and praying that it takes no false steps on the journey.
By the time that happens and you read this, however, I'm back in the barn. My work is done and I am already looking over the new year's prospects, always hoping that no matter how well the last horse ran, next year's candidate will be even better.
Every season I read every issue of hundreds of sports and general interest magazines in search of writing that might merit inclusion in The Best American Sports Writing. I also contact the editors of hundreds of newspapers and magazines and request their submissions, and I send email notices to hundred of readers and writers whose addresses I have culled over the years. I survey writing on the Internet and make regular stops at online sources like sportsdesk.org, gangrey.com, longform.org, sportsjournalist.com, ladyjournos. tumblr.com, and other websites where notable sports writing is valued and discussed. Yet not even these efforts are enough to ensure that I see all of the best writing, so I still encourage everyone reading this—readers and writers—to send me stories they would like to see reprinted in this volume. Writers should not feel shy about sending me either their own work or the work of others for consid eration for The Best American Sports Writing 2012. All submissions, however, must be made according to the following criteria. Each story
must be column-length or longer.
must have been published in 2011.
must not be a reprint or book excerpt.
must be published in the United States or Canada.
must be received by February 1, 2012.
All submissions must include the name of the author, the date of publication, and the publication name and address. Photocopies, tear sheets, or clean copies are fine. Readable reductions to 8^- by-11 are preferred. Submissions from online publications must be made in hard copy, and newspaper stories should be submitted in hard copy as published. Since newsprint generally suffers in transit, newspaper stories are best copied and made legible. If the story also appeared online, providing the URL is often helpful.
While there is no limit to the number of submissions either an individual or a publication may make, please use common sense. Due to the volume of material I receive, no submissions can be returned or acknowledged, and it is inappropriate for me to comment on or critique any submission. Publications that want to be absolutely certain their contributions are considered are advised to provide a complimentary subscription to the address listed below. Those that already do so should make sure to extend the subscription.
No electronic submissions will be accepted, although stories that only appeared online are eligible. Please send all submissions by U.S. mail—weather conditions in midwinter here at BASW headquarters often prevent me from receiving UPS or FedEx submissions. The February 1 deadline has been in place for more than two decades and is not arbitrary.
Please submit either an original or clear paper copy of each story, including publication name, author, and date the story appeared, to:
Glenn Stout
PO Box 549
Alburgh, VT 05440
Anyone with questions or comments may contact me at basweditor @yahoo.com. Copies of previous editions of this book can be ordered through most bookstores or online book dealers. An index of stories that have appeared in this series through 2011 can be found at my website, glennstout.net, as can full instructions on how to submit a story. For updated information, readers and writers are also encouraged to join The Best American Sports Writing group on Facebook.
Thanks again go out to all at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt who support this book, and to my family, Siobhan and Saorla, who continue to share our home with its accumulated contents. As always, however, my greatest thanks go to those writers who earned their way into the pages of this edition on the strength of their talent alone—the ability to write words that matter
—and not according to any other criteria.
GLENN STOUT
Alburgh, Vermont
Introduction: In Extremis
ONE FROSTBITING AFTERNOON in February 1980 I stood beside the luge track on Mount Van Hoevenberg in Lake Placid, contemplating a slip 'n' slide ride down the icy, twisting Olympic chute, the first such facility built in the United States.
I was tempted. After all, I was a proud charter member of the newly formed U.S. Luge Writers Association and a sportswriter on deadline trying to get 16 inches out of whoosh. I was also slightly tipsy, thanks to several construction drums full of premixed White Russians (one half-gallon vodka to one half-gallon Kahlua plus eight quarts of milk) hauled to the speed skating oval that morning by a Connecticut milkman in honor of Eric Heiden.
John Powers, my colleague from the Boston Globe, gallantly offered to escort me, which would have made us the first and last mixed-doubles luge team in history.
We were stationed at Curve 12, known as "Omega." A couple of bottles of French champagne were buried in the snow at our feet, imported by an Emerson College student who used the money he saved on a discounted ticket ($2 for a $22 ticket) to procure the bubbly. An ambulance was parked opposite us on the other side of Omega.
The pop of the cork punctuated a defining moment of realization. I am not a "because it's there" person, except maybe when it comes to good champagne. My idea of risk is leaving home without a fully charged cell phone. I opted to hold on to the extremities I could no longer feel. Besides, I had already taken my life in my hands for the Washington Post by hitching a ride into town from the Albany airport with two KGB agents masquerading as reporters from Soviet Life magazine. When the big galoot behind the wheel briefly considered pausing at a four-way stop sign at the crest of a hill a block from our quarters, I leaped from the car and slid down the street on my luggage.
Thirty years later, Powers was in Vancouver, covering his 17th Olympic Games for the Globe, when Nodar Kumaritashvili, a 21-year-old slider from the Republic of Georgia, heaved himself down the lethal track called the "Elevator Shaft." The ice was as treacherous as it was manicured—hosed between runs with a fine mist of water, scraped and polished and buffed to a diabolical sheen and chilled by ammonia-filled pipes that sucked heat from the concrete walls. Kumaritashvili was wearing gloves with small spikes on the fingertips for extra traction when he began his descent, the last anyone would make from the men's starting house 1,374 meters from the finish line.
