espn.com Ali Contest
Barry Bonds is on pace for 324 homers, the Yanks look like they'll go 0-162 and the Padres might never score a run. OK, so those early trends probably won't hold, but it's still not too early to evaluate the 2002 baseball season. Page 2's Dan Shanoff forecasts what will be hot on the diamond for the next seven months.
SHANOFF: WHAT'S HOT IN BASEBALL

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Have you ever uttered any of the following sentences? 1. "This new stadium has great 'sight lines.' " 2. "I'm going to the concession stand for some sushi." 3. "Join me up in my luxury suite." If you have, then Page 2's Bob Halloran says that you are undoubtedly a wuss. But don't feel bad; almost all of today's sports fans are wusses, too.

Just Ducky Mystery Photo
Beanie babies, take a hike. Bobbleheads, get outta here. Celebriducks are taking over the sports-giveaway spotlight -- at least, for the next 15 minutes. For those of you who have been out of town for the past year, Celebriducks are ... well, rubber duckies with the faces of your favorite athletes affixed.
 Apparently not all birds are smart enough to fly away in the nick of time with traffic bearing down on them. While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers mascot attends to this wounded Eagle, we'd like you to tell us what's going on in this week's Page 2 Mystery Photo. We'll run the best responses Thursday.

SPORTOON
Well, the Michael Jordan comeback was good while it lasted. But as Page 2 cartoonist Kurt Snibbe's latest Sportoon shows, His Airness finally blew up when his 39-year-old body began creaking, aching and popping in a manner suited more for us regular humans.


Last week we listed the worst choke artists, so now Page 2 turns the spotlight on the top 10 clutch performers of all-time. Take a look at our list, then send us a note with your choice for the best clutch player or team, and we'll run our readers' list later this week along with a poll to crown the best clutch peformer of all-time.
10]  1985 Villanova men's basketball team
Shot 78.6 percent for the game to pull off a shocking 66-64 upset of Georgetown in the national championship.
9]  Larry Bird
The "hick from French Lick" led the Celtics to three NBA titles in the '80s.
8]   Sandy Koufax
For six remarkable years, he won virtually ever key game he pitched for the Dodgers.
7]   Mark Messier
Down three games to two and facing the Devils on their home ice in the Eastern finals, the Captain followed up his guarantee for victory by scoring a hat trick in Game 6.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


Baseball futures: Odds to win World Series
Yankees 2-1 Athletics 8-1
Mariners 4-1 Diamondbacks 7-1
Braves 6-1 Cardinals 10-1
Devil Rays 200-1 Pirates 150-1
Expos 150-1 Brewers 200-1
All Times ET -- Bold indicates home team
Complete Line


 
Got a comment about something you've seen on Page 2?
Here's your chance to sound off to the editors and columnists.


THE SPORTS GUY
Page 2's Bill Simmons wonders if this could be the end of the once magnificent Pedro Experience.

KNOW THE SCORE
Dan Shanoff rates everything at the NCAA championship, from mascots to the fans to whether this game was good for budding screenwriters.

MADE YOU LOOK
Page 2's Chris McKendry offers an appreciation of the perfect women of UConn -- and T-shirts that make you think.

THE WATER COOLER
Page 2's Brian Murphy is wired! It's almost too much! Baseball's opening day and the NCAA finals, simultaneously!

THE SPORTS GUY
Page 2's Bill Simmons puts his thumbs to the test to evaluate his beloved Red Sox's chances this season.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's Phillies catcher Todd Pratt, left, and actor Patrick Warburton of "The Tick" and "Seinfeld." Page 2 has received 35 requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.

Blues at Stars
8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Must-win game for both teams.
 
Lakers at Nets
8 p.m. ET, TNT
NBA Finals preview?
 
Giants at Dodgers
10 p.m. ET, ESPN2 (regional)
If you don't get the Bonds HR watch, then enjoy White Sox at M's.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Tues., April 2: NCAA winners
• Mon., April 1: Cooler Day
• Fri., March 29: Know your role
• Thurs., March 28: Praising amateurs
• Wed., March 27: Celluloid Cellulite

Other featured content:
• Movie preview: "Death to Youppi"
• Sportoon: Behind Terps' title
• 10 Burning Questions with Jay Mohr
• The Power Poll
• Makin' it Better: Seahawks uniforms
• 10 Burning Questions with Dennis Quaid
• 10 Burning Questions with Jim Morris
• What the Heck Are They Thinking?
Wednesday, April 3, 2002
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