espn.com Ali Contest
The short supply of African-Americans in the All-Star Game is one thing, but the real problem is the number of blacks at baseball's lower levels. Ralph Wiley says the game's uneasy truce with the race issue squeezes opportunities to nurture America's youth in the sport's intricacies. And Dusty Baker's recent remarks don't help.
WILEY: IS BASEBALL RACIST?




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A year ago, Page 2's Jason Whitlock went to the ESPYs expecting to rub shoulders with the glitterati. Instead, he peaked too soon on the party scene. As Wednesday night's 2003 ESPYs approach, Jason (and his girfriend) share their votes and promise to pace themselves.

All-Star Break The Daily Quickie
What's hot and not in baseball at the break? Dan Shanoff says last year's Rally Monkey is this year's Italian Sausage. Plus, Sportoon looks at the festivities, including that home-field advantage thing.
Poor Barry! The Daily Quickie says Zito-Gate is more proof that baseball can't seem to accomplish anything without at least one bone-headed move. And will Rickey bring his card table to the Dodger Stadium clubhouse?

GOING TO THE DOGS
Chicks may dig the long ball in the Home Run Derby, but Page 2's Gino Bona will take dogs jumping off docks in the Great Outdoors Games "Big Air" competition anytime.


Darryl Strawberry is alive! This isn't baseball's first trip into the world of whispers and heresay, so in honor of Straw we present the list of baseball's biggest rumors:
10]  MLB's money problems
Bud Selig testified that baseball lost $232 million in 2001. A few months later, Forbes Magazine reported that MLB teams had combined profits of $75 million.
9]  Roger Maris' asterisk
In 1961, commissioner Ford Frick said that if Roger Maris broke Babe Ruth's home run record, it would go into the books with an asterisk, because it would be set in 162 games, while Ruth hit 60 in only 154 games.
8]  Billy Ripken's baseball card
In the photo on his 1989 Fleer card, Oriole Bill Ripken holds a bat with an expletive written, and clearly legible, on the end of the bat handle. The photos don't lie.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


VEGAS' ODDS TO WIN 2003 BRITISH OPEN
Tiger Woods 3-1   Phil Mickelson 10-1
Ernie Els 8-1   Vijay Singh 15-1
Sergio Garcia 20-1   Davis Love III 15-1
Mike Weir 10-1   Jim Furyk 10-1
Retief Goosen 15-1   David Toms 20-1
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.


SAUSAGE SHOWDOWN
Jim Caple's dream finally comes true: He races as the Italian Sausage in Milwaukee's famed Sausage Race.

BALLPARK TOUR
Qualcomm Stadium: Where the tacos are good and everything else bad.

THE WATER COOLER
After a harrowing journey to the British Open, Page 2's Brian Murphy swings away at Dick Johnson.

THE SPORTS GUY
Ballpark food, weddings and movie props. Pull up a chair as The Sports Guy empties his mailbag.

READY TO REIGN
Can LeBron James possibly be as good as advertised? Page 2's Ralph Wiley explains why maybe we should believe the hype.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's HR Derby champ Garret Anderson, left, and 112's Daron Jones. Page 2 has received 4 requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.


ESPY Red Carpet Show
8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Where sports and fashion meet.
 
Baseball: Triple-A All-Star Game
8 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Future stars battle in Memphis.
 
The ESPY Awards
9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Celebrate the best and brightest.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Mon., July 14: Sausage Glory
• Fri., July 11: Sports Guy's Mailbag
• Thurs., July 10: Sausage Assault
• Wed., July 9: Emanski & Crime Dog

Other featured content:
• The most overrated athletes of all time
• Lakers' Dream Team roster holes
• Olympic sports we'd like to see
• Bad Hair Hall of Shame for 2003
Tuesday, July 15, 2003
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