espn.com Ali Contest
All his life, Charley Rosen has been in love with pro basketball ... but that love has never been tested like this -- by endless legal problems, the World Championships fiasco, "stars" who shun team play. In his first 2002-'03 NBA Diary entry for Page 2, Rosen sets the stage for the upcoming season ... and it ain't pretty.
ROSEN: THE BASKETBALL DIARIES




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How does Page 2's Ralph Wiley know what just about everybody in the NFL is thinking at any given moment? We don't ask -- really, we don't want to know -- and he never tells us. All we know is that he knows ... and if you read his weekly Uncensored NFL Thoughts, you'll see inside the heads of Mike Martz, LaDainian Tomlinson, Ray Lewis and more.

Jim Caple Mystery Photo
The Rally Monkey had a bad night at Yankee Stadium when his Angels blew an eighth-inning lead and dropped their opening playoff game to the Bombers. And things only got worse when Page 2's Jim Caple caught up with the primo primate for a probing postgame interview.
 If Sacramento is going to knock off Superman Shaq and the Lakers, the Kings will need some superheroic help. The Kings front office sent out the bat signal and help has arrived. Now, we need you to answer the call and help explain this week's Page 2 Mystery Photo.

CRITICAL MASS
For 55 years, Ernie Harwell entertained baseball fans with his understated grace and charm. As the legendary Tigers broadcaster hung up his headset Sunday, Page 2's Eric Neel examines the graceful and understated way in which Harwell finally exited the booth.


Page 2 lists the top 10 Heisman Trophy winners who flopped as pros. After taking a look at our list, send us a note with your pick. Later this week we'll compile our readers' list along with a poll to crown the No. 1 Heisman bust in football history.
10]  Joe Bellino (Navy, 1960)
After four years of military service, he finally began an incredibly unremarkable three-year AFL career in 1965.
9]  John Huarte (Notre Dame, 1964)
Among the players who finished behind Huarte in the Heisman voting: Dick Butkus (third) and Gale Sayers (12th).
8]  Terry Baker (Oregon State, 1962)
In his first NFL season, he played little at his old position, completing 11 of 19 passes for 140 yards. Then the Rams tried to turn him into a running back, an experiment that failed.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Sunday Dolphins 2½ Patriots 43½
Sunday Raiders 3 Bills 51
Sunday 49ers 7 Rams 41
Sunday Saints 3 Steelers 45
COLLEGE FB FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Saturday Oregon St. 4 UCLA NL
Saturday USC 3 Washington St. NL
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. Plus, if you'd like to send an e-mail to The Sports Guy, here's your direct link to Bill Simmons.


THE SPORTS GUY
Bill Simmons visited the Ultimate Fighting Championships to check out the bloody violence, scantily clad women and WWE-type clientele.

TUESDAY MORNING QB
In addition to the highlights and lowlights of Week 4, TMQ sheds plenty of light on the bogus nature of these huge NFL contracts.

THE WATER COOLER
Brian Murphy took The Cooler on a weekend trip to Belfry, where they witnessed the World's Greatest Sporting Event -- aka, the Ryder Cup.

RAIDER NATION
In Part 5 of his series on the Raider Nation, Pat Toomay experiences, first-hand, the blood feud between the Raiders and Steelers.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's a couple of key role players for their teams: Twins infielder Denny Hocking, left, and Tweek from "South Park." This match was requested by Tanya Fabian of Seattle. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.


Giants at Braves
1 p.m. ET, ABC Family
Barry Bonds tries to get playoff monkey off his back.
 
Twins at Athletics
4 p.m. ET, ABC Family
Minnesota plans to monkey with Oakland's playoff dreams.
 
Angels at Yankess
8 p.m. ET, Fox
New York fights the rally monkey in Game 2.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Tues., Oct. 1: Taking a Beating
• Mon., Sept. 30: High Heat
• Fri., Sept. 27: Low Ryder
• Thurs., Sept. 26: Just Say, 'No Moss'

Other featured content:
• What's Hot, Not for Baseball Playoffs
• 10 Burning Questions with Jason Sehorn
• Sportoon: Baseball Playoffs Quiz
• NFL Stud & Dud for Week 4
• Being ... Randy Moss
• What the Heck Are They Thinking?
• 10 Burning Questions with Mark Mulder
• "The Sopranos" Casting Call
• Page 2 Goes to the Movies
• Our Top 20 Sports Movies
Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2002
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