espn.com Ali Contest
It looked like a fair fight -- sluggin' Sammy Sosa vs. America's No. 1 sportswriter, Rick Reilly, in a battle over Sosa's image as Mr. Clean. In reality, however, there was no way Sosa could win -- no matter how he answered Reilly's challenge. And Page 2's Ralph Wiley says, as usual, there was no way the sportswriter could lose.
WILEY: ADVANTAGE, SPORTSWRITER




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He's more dominant than Tiger, MJ or Shaq. Heck, he might make us forget that other "Kobe." Takeru Kobayashi is the best hot dog eater in the world -- and no one else is even close -- as he proved by easily winning his second world title on the Fourth of July. The other competitors' only recourse was to claim that Kobayashi ... uh, didn't quite "keep down" his record 50½ hot dogs. Thus is life in the cutthroat world of competitive eating.

Jim Caple The Sports Guy
First, Tatum O'Neal claimed her ex-husband, John McEnroe, used steroids during his tennis career. Now, the actress is unleashing more steroid charges that make the McEnroe scandal seem like child's play. In a Page 2 exclusive, O'Neal tells Jim Caple that all of the "Bad News Bears" were on the juice.
 When did "Seinfeld" jump the shark? What was wrong with Cuba Gooding Jr. at the Lewis-Tyson fight? And how did female sports fans and soccer zealots gain their revenge on The Sports Guy? Get those answers and much more from Page 2's Bill Simmons in the latest edition of "Yup ... These Are My Readers."

CAN KAREEM COACH?
He's Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. So, why was he coaching in the USBL instead of the NBA? Page 2 sent Eric Neel to Oklahoma City -- yes, Oklahoma City -- to explain Kareem's exile. Check out a revealing Q&A with the normally reticent Hall of Famer and a photo gallery of the journey.


You've already taken a look at Page 2's list of the 10 most overpaid players in baseball. Now we present our readers' selections along with a poll to crown the No. 1 overpaid ballplayer of them all.

10]  Darren Dreifort, Los Angeles Dodgers
"Despite the fact he's never had an ERA under 4.00 as a starter, the Dodgers continue to pay him millions of dollars every year."
9]  Mo Vaughn, New York Mets
"Hey Mo, hit above .214, then you can tell us how great you are!"
8]  Kevin Brown, Los Angeles Dodgers
"He's only halfway through his seven-year, $105 million deal, and he's spent most of that time on the DL."
  • GET THE FULL LIST


UPDATED ODDS TO WIN 2002 WORLD SERIES
Yankees 2-1   Braves 10-1
Red Sox 5-1   Giants 12-1
Mariners 6-1   Angels 13-1
Diamondbacks 6-1   Mets 13-1
Cardinals 8-1   Athletics 15-1
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
Dan Shanoff runs a red, white and blue Independence Day edition of the Hot 'n' Not List up the flagpole to see who salutes it.

THE SPORTS GUY
From Billy Joel to Elvis Costello to the Osbournes to Ivan Drago, The Sports Guy has some strange thoughts inside his head.

REEL LIFE
Page 2's Jeff Merron takes a closer look at Martin Scorsese's "Raging Bull," the brutal depiction of boxer Jake La Motta's life.

CUP DIARY
As his month-long run in Japan comes to an end, Page 2's Michael Davies reflects on the '02 World Cup and looks ahead to Germany in '06.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's Reds third baseman Aaron Boone, left, and Johnny Knoxville, the host of the MTV show "Jackass." Page 2 has received 31 requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


Tennis: Wimbledon Championships
Noon ET, NBC (tape-delayed)
Men's semifinals, at London.
 
Golf: U.S. Women's Open
Noon ET, ESPN
Second-round action.
 
Dodgers at Cardinals
8 p.m. ET, ESPN (regional)
Or Orioles at Rangers.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Wed., July 3: World's Greatest
• Tues., July 2: Kareem at Crossroads
• Mon., July 1: Flying Home
• Fri., June 28: Juiced Up

Other featured content:
• Mystery Photo responses
• The Power Poll
• Sportoon: All-Star qualifications
• All-Hair Team for '02 World Cup
• 10 reasons Anna blew her top
• 10 Burning Questions with Jay Williams
• Britney and sports movies
• Anna or Not Anna? The Penthouse Quiz
Weekend Edition, July 5-7, 2002
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