You might have seen me mention this already — I’ve put it out there once or twice — so this morning I’ll do it one last time: “The Best American Sports Writing 2012” lands in bookstores today, and my story from Sports Illustrated on Toomer’s Oaks is in it.
I’ve been reading the BASW series ever since it started coming out in 1991. Every year, I’m in the store the day it comes out — I don’t have many other automatic buys, except for Lee Child novels and Ben Folds Five albums. (A new Lee Child novel and a new Ben Folds Five record both came out in the last few weeks. It’s been a nice last few weeks.)
The BASW book has 19 other great sports stories — I should say “stories ABOUT sports,” because they’re good reads even if you don’t care about the Super Bowl or the pennant race or whatever. My friends Tom Lake and Wright Thompson are in there as well, and I’m especially proud to be next to them.
Thanks to series editor Glenn Stout and guest editor Michael Wilbon for choosing my story.
One last thing. If you like stories about sports, come check out my new home at Sports on Earth. I love the folks I work with, and every day we’re trying to do some of the best American sports writing — the stuff that makes you think a little more about not just sports, but life. Give us a try and see what you think. And if you’re already reading us, we thank you.