Presents essays about sports chosen from magazines and newspapers published in 2009, on topics ranging from bullfighting to basketball, baseball, and boxing.

For over twenty-five years, The Best American Sports Writing has been a showcase for the most exceptional sports journalism of the previous year, selected by an acclaimed guest editor. Represented in this year's collection are giants in the field as well as up-and-coming writers to watch--the only shared traits among the diverse styles and voices are the extraordinarily high caliber of writing and the pure passion they tap into.

An anthology of top-selected sports writing from the past year is culled from hundreds of national, regional, and specialty publications as well as a variety of leading sports blogs.

A presentation of the best of Smith's inimitable columns...miniature masterpieces that set the gold standard for sportswriting. Includes Smith's indelible profiles of sports luminaries and unforgettable accounts of historic occasions, which show his gift for distilling a career's essence in a single column.