Andrew K. (kuligowskiandrewt) -
Rick Reilly is one of the best known columnists in sports. He is gifted at exposing the egos and the hypocrisy of sports figures players, management, ownership, even fans when theyve got it coming to them, and equally gifted at showing their humanity and humility when appropriate. Reilly has a soft spot for the underdog; he makes you want to root even harder for him / her / them especially if it involves a kid with health issues.
The (in the authors opinion, and hes probably right) best of his last 5 years of columns in ESPN: The Magazine have been collected in Tiger, Meet My Sister ... And Other Things I Probably Shouldnt Have Said. Regular readers of that publication have probably seen many if not all of these articles before. (Although each has a short postscript talking about follow-ups after it was published that the magazine reader may want to check out.) Occasional or non-readers of ESPN: The Magazine should definitely consider giving this collection some of their time and attention.
Lets start with Lance Armstrong. Reilly was one of Armstrongs biggest defenders through the years of rumor and innuendo and once he learned that the cyclist lied to him, Reilly takes the kid gloves off and lets him have it. On the other hand, Reilly managed to make this (definitely) non-Yankee fan root for the organization in pinstripes, talking about how theyd specially arranged a sheltered private box for kids who cannot be exposed to the sun and then arranged a special midnight post-game session on the field for them. AND how Joe Girardi and a few of the players picked a day to accompany a blind fan as she navigated the New York City public transportation system to watch her guys play from her usual seat.
RATING: I find it difficult to give a 5 star rating to a collection of material that has already been published in another vehicle(s), but this one comes as close as anything Ive ever seen. Take 4 1⁄2 stars from the cigar box were using as a register, Mr. Reilly and Ill round it up to 5 if we cant make change.
DISCLOSURE: I received this book at no cost as part of the Goodreads FirstRead program. There was no charge, but a fair and unbiased review is always requested but not mandated as a part of that ongoing promotion.
The (in the authors opinion, and hes probably right) best of his last 5 years of columns in ESPN: The Magazine have been collected in Tiger, Meet My Sister ... And Other Things I Probably Shouldnt Have Said. Regular readers of that publication have probably seen many if not all of these articles before. (Although each has a short postscript talking about follow-ups after it was published that the magazine reader may want to check out.) Occasional or non-readers of ESPN: The Magazine should definitely consider giving this collection some of their time and attention.
Lets start with Lance Armstrong. Reilly was one of Armstrongs biggest defenders through the years of rumor and innuendo and once he learned that the cyclist lied to him, Reilly takes the kid gloves off and lets him have it. On the other hand, Reilly managed to make this (definitely) non-Yankee fan root for the organization in pinstripes, talking about how theyd specially arranged a sheltered private box for kids who cannot be exposed to the sun and then arranged a special midnight post-game session on the field for them. AND how Joe Girardi and a few of the players picked a day to accompany a blind fan as she navigated the New York City public transportation system to watch her guys play from her usual seat.
RATING: I find it difficult to give a 5 star rating to a collection of material that has already been published in another vehicle(s), but this one comes as close as anything Ive ever seen. Take 4 1⁄2 stars from the cigar box were using as a register, Mr. Reilly and Ill round it up to 5 if we cant make change.
DISCLOSURE: I received this book at no cost as part of the Goodreads FirstRead program. There was no charge, but a fair and unbiased review is always requested but not mandated as a part of that ongoing promotion.
