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Best Seat in the House: A Father, a Daughter, a Journey Through Sports

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In a world where male dominance in most sports is generally welcome and accepted, stories of women who defy the odds, dodge the criticism, and rise to success are indeed a rarity. The story of Christine Brennan is no exception. A successful writer for USA Today and The Washington Post, Brennan's ascension to a career in sports journalism and broadcasting, which was usually only reserved for men, serves as a role model for those who wish to follow their dreams despite the obstacles. However, the focal message in the book is a tribute to her father, the man who brought her up to love and cherish sports, and the man who continued to encourage her when things seemed impossible. Rather than the typical father-son journey through sports, the tide shifts, in essence, to reveal that daughters too can share that same passion.

Brennan's journey begins in Toledo, home to the Triple AAA Mud Hens and the University of Toledo. The stories of catching a ball game at the Lucas Country Rec Center (aka Ned Skeldon Stadium) or the occasional drive to Tiger Stadium were heart warming and a bit shocking as Brennan was probably the woman in the 1970's that knew how to fill out a scorecard. Baseball brings families together and nothing in the world beats a trip to the ball park to catch a game with your old man. But baseball is one of several sports that the Brennan family endures throughout Christine's childhood. Tennis, swimming, golf, football, and basketball consumed much of their daily lives and it appeared that the father, Jim, was merely along for the ride for it seemed that he was not the one doing the pushing.

On a personal note, Brennan's account of the University of Toledo's Chuck Ealey's thirty-five consecutive victories and Steve Mix's stellar basketball career were nearly tear-jerking. As a Toledo alum and fan, it was about time that both of these remarkable men receive some extra attention for their amazing feats as collegiate athletes. From a university which sees very few of their athletes go on to the professional level, the celebration of perhaps their best two athletes in a nationally acclaimed book puts the icing on the cake.

Brennan admits that the idea to be a sports journalist began at those Toledo football games where Ealey and his teammates rang up win after win. Indeed, watching Chuck Ealey on a weekly basis from 1969-1971 must have been a privilege, an honor, and certainly a launching point for a prospective sports writer. From there Brennan begins the formal training as a journalist at the campus of Northwestern University, and with the summer internships at the Toledo Blade. Northwestern's journalism program was one of the best in the country, and alums Peter McCleery, Brennan, and Michael Wilbon backed up that recognition.

But Brennan's story of becoming a sports journalist is just a fraction of the larger picture. Title IX, the law that essentially gave women an opportunity to play competitive sports, is mentioned throughout the book. However, Brennan's argument on Title IX is not necessarily a cry for women to take over these heavily male-influenced games. Rather, it is advocating for equal opportunity. As evident in her debates with the controversial Hootie Johnson of Augusta National, Brennan refuses to back down to the opposite sex, and chooses to stand up for women's rights. After all, to get to her position in her field, Brennan has always had to fight an uphill battle. Hopefully this serves as a message to young women seeking a career in sports that even though the trail may be bumpy along the way, the end result is certainly attainable.

When I saw this book, I knew immediately that I'd be interested in it. I mean, Christine Brennan was the Washington Post beat writer for the Redskins in the mid-80s when I lived in DC as well, and as she jokingly puts it, being the Redskins beat writer was the second most important beat, after the White House beat, unless the Redskins played the Cowboys. So I remember well her byline in the Post Sports section from those days.

In "Best Seat in the House: A Father, A Daughter, A Journey through Sports" (283 pages), the author reflects back on how she got into sports writing, and not unsurprisingly, her dad played a major role in it. In fact, the initial third of the book, in which Brennan recounts her days growing up in Toledo, is the most intruiging and touching part of the book. Brennan's dad never pushed her into sports, but definitely supported and encouraged it, taking her to see their beloved Mud Hens AA basebal and the University of Toldedo football teams, and then later when Christine started playing high school sports (in the pre-Title IX days). The love and warmth for her dad shines throughout this book.

After graduating from Northwestern, Brennan went on to cover college football for the Miami Herald in the early 80s and then the Redskins. Brennan has plentyful of memorable anecdotes of what is was like to be a female sportsreporter in that male-dominated world. The latter part of the book drifts a bit, even though Brennan's love for the Olympics, her next big thing, comes through very clearly. But the book finishes on a high, recounting the hard times when first her mom, then her dad pass away, while providing a very moving tribute. If you like sports, and have a heart, this book will move you.

Good memoir by an early female sportswriter, with focus on her relationship with her dad, who taught her about sports and was supportive throughout.

A cover blurb on Christine Brennan's new book uses the word "heartfelt." I'm very surprised that all of the reviewers didn't include "heart" somewhere in their comments. This is the most magical book. Not only for Brennan's wonderful relationship with her father. I was moved equally by the sense of Christine Brennan that emerges from her writing. This is a valuable book, a blessing for the world. It glows with the magic of the heart - for sports, child-raising, and life. In a world that perversely tries to discount the heart's feelings, her book provides overwhelming evidence of the need for love.

I was in tears at the first chapter, as my father too introduced me to sports. Much of what Ms. Brennan has written brings me back to the wonderful memories of my Dad and our love for the Detroit Tigers. I gave the book to my Dad for Fathers Day. I only wish I had the talent to have written such a wonderful memorial to my father. Thank you, Christine.

As Christine Brennan states in the book, writing the story was a "labor of love". She stated this in reference to her father and family. Of course, this comes through eloquently clear from such a talented writer. In reading the book, however, it's obvious she loves so much more in life. Sports, yes, but that's over-simplistic. How she ties sports into the context of history, into how our society has changed and not changed (for women, minorities, etc.) is truly insightful while, at the same time, beautiful. You can feel -- truly sense -- how Christine feels about these challenges, about the people confronting them, and about the leaders addressing them (or not). Her values show through. Many a writer, I think, would be all-too-shy about putting such personal points-of-view out there. I, for one, am very glad she did, for her values and points-of-view are truly admirable. They are all the more so because she, like her father, has acted upon and held true to them throughout her life while still making room to experience and learn.

Now, I don't know Christine. I met her once, yes. She was uncommonly attentive and made me feel like I was the gold medal winner being interviewed (not that it felt like an interview at all; although, after reading this book, I wouldn't be surprised if she packed away some notes somewhere, dated them, and spelled my name right...).

Why is this such an important book? In addition to what I've shared I'll add this: Moving forward my wife and I will document the events of our kids' childhood even more diligently. Not only will this benefit our family with more memorabilia, but it will hopefully serve as an example for our kids so they, too, will log the experiences of their lives. Doing so, I believe, will help sustain their peace of mind (respect for whence they came), build confidence, as well as provide skills that will help them academically, professionally, and personally. And, no, I don't expect to rear little Christine Brennans. I do hope, however, my kids have a similar love for their father, their family, and for life that Christine Brennan does. This book has made me even more excited about being a parent and it's also allowed me to travel back in time with my father. Christine, thank you!