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It's a Page 2 first -- dueling World Cup diarists! Bill Simmons offers his minute-by-minute account of what it was like, from his overstuffed couch at the Sports Guy mansion, to see the United States lose to Poland on TV. And our own Michael Davies, watching from Japan, chips in with Day 14 of his ongoing World Cup diary.
(MORNING) SPORTS GUY | DAVIES: DAY 14

POLL RESULTS



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For some kids, Sunday is the most pressure-filled 24 hours of the year. You've got to come up with a few presents for Dad, an all-time sports nut who already owns everything from a genuine Boston Garden parquet square to Jeff Nelson's bone chips. Ohmigod, what to do?! Well, never fear, 'cause Page 2 Bob Halloran's got some truly unique gift ideas.

Jim Caple Sportoon
Who's worse -- a pitcher who intimidates by throwing at batters' heads, or a slugger who intimidates with body armor? A pox, says Page 2's Jim Caple, on the houses of Roger Clemens and overly protective Barry Bonds. Also, cartoonist Larry Johnson looks ahead to Clemens' start against the Mets.
 It wasn't an entirely smooth journey, but the Red Wings completed a magical wire-to-wire championship season Thursday by claiming their third Stanley Cup in the past six years. Page 2 cartoonist Kurt Snibbe gives his interpretation of how Detroit coach Scotty Bowman rallied his star-laden team to the top of the NHL heap.

LAKERS REDUX
The Sports Guy admires the three-peat of the Shaq-Kobes ... er, Lakers, but he's wondering why everybody's rushing to crown a new dynasty. Page 2's Royce Webb has an answer to even things up in the NBA: Get Shaquille O'Neal to quit. His open letter prompted a flood of opinions from readers.


You've already taken a look at Page 2's list of the most painful single game losses in baseball history. Now we've compiled our readers' top 10 painful losses along with a poll to crown baseball's No. 1 painful loss of all time.
10]  Yankees lose to Mariners, '95 AL playoffs
"The footnote of the game is the most heartbreaking thing about it. Don Mattingly, the most beloved Yankee since Mickey Mantle, would never play another game."
9]  Indians lose to Marlins, '97 World Series
"Why does Cleveland build good teams that fall apart ... one step short?"
8]  Cardinals lose to Royals in '85 World Series
"They got beat by a terrible umpire."
7]  Braves lose to Twins in '91 World Series
"Sure we have 10 straight playoff appearances, five pennants and a championship. But that loss still hurts."
  • GET THE FULL LIST


ODDS TO WIN WORLD CUP 6/14
Brazil 5-2   Spain 4-1
Italy 9-2   England 13-2
Germany 13-2   Mexico 18-1
Japan 22-1   Sweden 22-1
Senegal 28-1   Denmark 33-1
Paraguay 40-1   Turkey 40-1
South Korea 50-1   Ireland 66-1
United States 66-1   Belgium 100-1
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. Plus, if you'd like to send an e-mail to The Sports Guy, here's your direct link to Bill Simmons.


THE HOT LIST
Page 2's Dan Shanoff slept in the parking lot all night so he could update us on what's hot and not in the sports world this week.

CUP DIARY
Michael Davies watches a desultory tie between Italy and Mexico and offers some discouraging words on national anthems only an opera singer could love.

GET IN LINE
Jim Caple believes the U.S. Open would be more of a "People's Open" if the pros had to wait overnight for tee times like the real folks do.

CRITICAL MASS
Eric Neel gives five reasons why watching the World Cup on TV in the middle of the night would make any U.S. soccer fan feel damn fine.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


He's no Boy Wonder, but there's no mistaking the resemblance between Japan soccer player Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, left, and Burt Ward as Robin in the old "Batman" TV series. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


Soccer: Poland vs. USA
7:15 a.m. ET, ESPN
Biggest game in years for Yanks, who just need a draw.
 
Golf: U.S. Open
11 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, ESPN; 3 p.m. ET, NBC
Tiger and Sergio prepare to pull away from field.
 
Yankees at Mets
7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Extra Innings
Pettitte vs. Traschel, the calm before the storm.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Thurs., June 13: No Dynasty ... Yet
• Wed., June 12: Love It? Then Leave It
• Tues., June 11: Requiem for a Bad Dude
• Mon., June 10: Wonder of Me

Other featured content:
• Mystery Photo
• Sportoon
• Power Poll
• Makin' it Better: Bills uniforms
• 10 Burning Questions for Bill Walton
• Anna or Not Anna? The Penthouse Quiz
Weekend Edition, June 14-16, 2002
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