espn.com Ali Contest
This much was evident as Page 2 watched LeBron cruise through ESPY week in Los Angeles: The party doesn't really start until King James arrives. Yes, he's that charismatic, whether he's rolling a gutter ball or trying to score a phone number from a hottie. Eric Neel says King James' ESPY appearances were must-see performances.
NEEL: ALL EYES ON LEBRON




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Page 2's Jim Armstrong has seen enough of Lance Armstrong (no relation!) to last him a lifetime, and the Tour de France is barely more than half-over. There's only one way to make bicycle racing a treat tasty enough to justify Lance-mania: Throw a beer frame in with those "thrilling" time trials.

Illegal Motion Ballpark Tour
There's only one way to know exactly what to expect out of baseball's second half this season: Consult "Maddame Ribbi" at Randall Polliard's Illegal Motion crystal ball.
There is something about the ballparks of our youth that make a return visit special, as Eric Neel discovers when he stops by Dodger Stadium on Page 2's Ballpark Tour.

THE DAILY QUICKIE
The Daily Quickie says Junior Griffey's season-ending injury has an upside, at least if perception matters. Plus, Jose Lima and Dontrelle Willis have plenty in common.


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.


NO WELCOME MAT
The number of "American-born" blacks in baseball is declining and Page 2's Ralph Wiley tries to figure out why.

BALLPARK TOUR
Page 2's tour of the major-league ballparks stops off at SkyDome in Toronto, where innovation has grown a little stale.

THE HOT LIST
With home field advantage on the line, Dan Shanoff has what's sizzling and fizzling at the All-Star Game.

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

THE SPORTS GUY
Ballpark food, weddings and movie props. Pull up a chair as The Sports Guy empties his mailbag.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's Pete Rose and Lou Ferrigno as the Incredible Hulk. Page 2 has received 84 requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


Pardon the Interruption
5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Start your week with sardonic spin.
 
MLB: Chicago Cubs at Atlanta
7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
No Carays involved in the call.
 
Great Outdoor Games
8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Quench your thirst for timber events.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Thur., July 17: Grilling the ESPYs
• Wed., July 16: Hardball Heaven
• Tue., July 15: Squeeze Play
• Mon., July 14: Sausage Glory

Other featured content:
• Ultimate Scorecard: 101 best uniform numbers
• Being Pete Rose
• The most overrated athletes of all time
• Trials we'd like to see
Weekend Edition, July 18-20, 2003
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