espn.com Ali Contest
As the baseball season winds toward a climax -- or oblivion -- everybody's talking about steroids and player strikes. Everybody except Page 2 trendmeister Dan Shanoff, who understands the appeal of the game is in its subtle power trends ... such as who's the big man in labor negotiations and what's happening with Zito's hair.
SHANOFF: THE HOT LIST




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To Bill Simmons, going to a new ballpark has a lot in common with a one-night stand. (Hey, don't ask us ... we just work here.) And after his first "visit" to Milwaukee's Miller Park for Monday night's All-Star Home Run Derby, The Sports Guy might not be "in love" exactly, but he wouldn't say no to a second date.

Power Poll Mystery Photo
It was a great week for dominant performances. The always powerful Williams sisters wiped up Wimbledon, mighty Michael Schumacher made a mockery of F-1, and Joe Torre's Yankees added to their potent lineup. Page 2 Power Poll decides which one was the best of the best.
 We knew the Wimbledon streaker would be the butt of numerous good jokes and, thanks to our ever-reliable readers, we had plenty to choose from. After receiving more than 3,300 responses, we've compiled the best captions for this week's Mystery Photo.

SPORTOON
It's the next best thing to being there: Kurt Snibbe's latest Sportoon, that is. Our Page 2 cartoonist shows us some of the sights and sounds from Miller Park, for those of us who can't make it to the All-Star Game.


Page 2 turns its attention to the worst innovations in sports. Take a look at our list, then send us your choice for the worst sports innovation. Later this week, we'll run our readers' top 10 list along with a poll to crown the worst sports innovation of them all.

10]  Olympic hockey shootout
Like having a free throw or slam dunk contest to decide who wins in basketball.
9]  Off-Track Betting
OTB has ruined racing in New York and in lots of other places all over the country.
8]  Naming rights
Fans don't benefit, and what ballclub benefits by association with the losers of the business world?
  • 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 WATER COOLER
Brian Murphy imagines what a conversation would have been like with one of the last vestiges of the 20th century, Ted Williams.

GETTING INNUENDO
This column by Bob Halloran about words and phrases you can't say on television has been sanitized for your protection.

THE MIGHTY PEN
Talk about a no-win situation. Page 2's Ralph Wiley explains why Sammy Sosa should've run the other way when he saw Rick Reilly coming.

TOP DOG
Move over, Tiger, and make room for Takeru Kobayashi. That's because you don't want any hot dog bits on you, writes Darren Rovell.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's the co-star of "Like Mike," Morris Chestnut, and Rodney Rogers, right, a power forward with the Celtics who's not much like Mike. Twenty-nine readers suggested this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


MLB All-Star Game
8 p.m. ET, Fox
First team to have all its players withdraw wins.
 
Boxing: Alex Trujillo (21-0-0) vs. Juan Valenzuela (15-4-0)
8 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Lightweight battle at Los Angeles.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Mon., July 8: Channeling Teddy Ballgame
• Fri., July 5: All Riled Up
• Wed., July 3: World's Greatest
• Tues., July 2: Kareem at Crossroads

Other featured content:
• Kareem at the crossroads
• Kareem photo gallery
• Win, Lose or Draw
• All-Hair Team for '02 World Cup
• 10 reasons Anna blew her top
• 10 Burning Questions with Jay Williams
• Anna or Not Anna? The Penthouse Quiz
Tuesday, July 9, 2002
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