The Best American Sports Writing 2014

Journalist McDougall (Born To Run) takes the reins as the editor of the 24th installment of the renowned sports series. He presents 25 notable articles from publications such as The New Yorker, the New York Times, Outside, and Runner's World magazines as well as blogs such as Deadspin and Grantland. Overall, this is a fairly somber collection of subjects: the aftermath of the 2013 Boston marathon bombings; the disappearance of a man during the annual Mount Marathon Race in Seward, AK; the suicide of NASCAR driver Dick Trickle; the suspension of former Rutgers University basketball coach Mike Rice Jr.; and the quick rise and hard fall of boxing promoter Don King. Articles on lesser-known sports—street ball, backgammon, and big-wave surfing—make an appearance as well, as does an insightful piece from Rolling Stone on the media circus surrounding former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, whose legal troubles and murder convictions have haunted him for the past year. Each story in this volume attempts on some level to explain how sports can illuminate some facet of life, either in general, or at the level of specific individuals.