As someone who eagerly awaits this anthology every year, I cracked open the 2015 edition with my usual excitement. The collection delivers some absolute knockout pieces - particularly loved the pro wrestling deep dive that made me appreciate the athleticism behind the spectacle.

However, I did notice an unusual focus on aging athletes this year. While one poignant story about decline can be powerful, three back-to-back pieces about 'broken old men' started feeling repetitive during my weekend reading marathon.

The sumo wrestling article stood out like a sore thumb - fascinating subject but oddly placed among more traditional American sports coverage. It's these pacing and thematic choices that made this year's collection feel less cohesive than previous editions.

That said, the highlights (like the brilliant piece on obscure sports) still make it worth keeping on my shelf. Just don't expect every story to land with equal impact - maybe read them spaced out rather than binging like I did!