espn.com Ali Contest
To football fans, these days are occupied by the sweet agony of uncertainty about his or her favorite NFL team. Ralph Wiley takes a cool look at Jevon, Ricky, Jerry and the rest of the AFC and finds that hope still springs eternal . . . with a couple of exceptions. Two clubs have already been eliminated: Ralph's team, and your team.
WILEY: A FOOTBALL RESTORATIVE




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One year from today, the world's best athletes will march into a half-finished stadium in Athens under heavily-armed guards and swear an oath to run, jump and otherwise cavort through the Summer Olympics in a citius, altius, fortius fashion. Steve Woodward has Page 2's sneak peek at what to expect.

Ballpark Tour The Daily Quickie
With the help of a Sherpa or two, Jim Caple continues Page 2's Ballpark Tour by climbing to the very tippy-top of the stadium on Chicago's South Side (the corporate name of which won't pass his lips.) It's a long way down.
The Daily Quickie listens along with Neifi Perez to Bill Clinton's analysis of the AL East race and wonders where that sort of incisive thinking was during his two terms. Plus, the Marlins' bandwagon and the Buckeyes' fixer-upper.

MYSTERY OF THE SPLENDID SPLINTER
Teddy Ballgame's deoxyribonucleic acid (that's DNA, silly!) has gone missing from the cryonics company where he's being . . . er, stored. It's a mystery. Page 2's Graham Hays rounds up the suspects.


We've written about failed phenoms and failed Heisman winners, but we've presented the biggest sports busts of all time.
10]  Olympic Triplecast
For the 1992 Barcelona Games, NBC came up with an idea to recoup some of the $400 million in rights fees and $100 million in production costs: sell a special package, a "Triplecast" of 24-hour-a-day competition. Viewers balked at the $125 cost and NBC lost millions.
9]  Michael Jordan as a baseball player
After his first retirement, MJ played Double-A ball and hit .202 with 114 K's and three home runs. He was soon back on the basketball court
8]  Grass in the Astrodome
"The Eighth Wonder of the World" opened in 1965 with a translucent ceiling and real grass. Trouble was, too much glare, so they painted the roof ... but the grass died. Welcome aboard, Astrotuf.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


VEGAS' ODDS TO WIN 2003 WORLD SERIES
Yankees 7-2   Phillies 10-1
Braves 5-1   Mariners 11-1
Red Sox 7-1   White Sox 15-1
Giants 7-1   Astros 16-1
Athletics 9-1   Cardinals 18-1
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.


TUESDAY MORNING QB
It's NFL preseason, which means TMQ has returned. This week: the offseason.

GOOD GUYS
Page 2's Jim Armstrong says the sports world is filled with many more good people than bad ones.

AS BAD AS IT GETS
Page 2's Jim Caple went to see Ben and J-Lo's "Gigli" this weekend -- it's as bad as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

OVERLOOKED FLICKS
The Sports Guy has watched thousands of movies in his day, but only 12 films could make his list of the most underrated movies of all time.

BALLPARK TOUR
Our ballpark tour stops in South Florida, where Pro Player Stadium isn't just about football.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's Cubs' pitcher Kerry Wood, left, and country music star Trace Adkins. Page 2 has received 30 requests for this match. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


PGA Championship
1 p.m. ET, TNT
Opening round from Oak Hill.
 
MLB: Boston at Oakland
3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Wakefield hopes A's knuckle under.
 
WNBA: Houston at New York
8 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Liberty fight for playoff life.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Tue., Aug. 12: Are You Ready?
• Mon., Aug. 11: Ben Hurt
• Fri., Aug. 8: Sports Guy Movies
• Thur., Aug. 7: R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Other featured content:
• Ultimate Scorecard: 101 best uniform numbers
• The most underrated athletes of all time
• The most overrated athletes of all time
• Page 2's Top 10 Pop Icons
Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2003
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