espn.com Ali Contest
Why are Jeremy Shockey and Derek Jeter so newsworthy? Were those two baskets by Willis Reed really so significant? Does anything important ever happen out West? By the time the BoSox and Yanks play this weekend in another most important series in baseball history, Page 2's East Coast Bias Week will have answers.
NEEL: IN SEARCH OF THE BIAS




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Page 2's Hunter S. Thompson looks out over sports and sees a long day's journey into night. If it isn't the Kobe Bryant sexual assault trial and injuries to Mike Vick and Chad Pennington, it's the troublesome season looming for the Good Doctor's beloved Raiders. So where are the feel-good stories?

Ballpark Tour Weekend Water Cooler
Yes, it's most distinguishing feature is that Hefty-bag fence, but Jim Caple says the Metrodome ain't all bad. Page 2's Ballpark Tour stops in the Twin Cities and lets some sun shine on indoor baseball.
 Page 2's Brian Murphy says the loss of his father over the weekend adds a tragic layer to Barry Bonds' quest to become the greatest Giant, and maybe the greatest slugger, in the history of baseball.

THE DAILY QUICKIE
The Daily Quickie nominates sprinter Jon Drummond for the Whiners Hall of Fame after Drummond's lie-in at the World Championships. Plus, wild-card wackiness and the U.S. Open goes to Belgium.



Does East Coast Bias exist? YES ...

10]  "Nails"
Lenny Dykstra "wrote" this book two years into his mediocre big-league career. You think somebody in Seattle or Denver or Minneapolis wanted to read that book?
9]  Stan Musial vs. Ted Williams
While Williams' stature grew through the years, the image of Musial has faded … because he didn't play in Boston or New York
  • GET THE FULL LIST
... NO ...

10]  Sports movies
Take a look at popular sports movies: Seabiscuit (West Coast horse); The Rookie (pitcher from Texas); Blue Crush (surf girls from Hawaii).
9]  College football voting
Of the All-Time AP College Football Top 20, only three of the top 10 can be considered "East Coast," and those only marginally -- Alabama (really more South than East), Tennessee (ditto), and Penn State.
  • 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.


INVENTIONS
With the blackout still fresh in his mind, Page 2's Jim Caple ranks the most important inventions ever.

BALLPARK TOUR
Coors Field will leave you with a Rocky Mountain high.

WHO'S BETTER THAN BO?
No player could rival Bo Jackson's video game greatness -- until Mike Vick came along.

DRAG RACE
Fair warning to cornerbacks and safeties: You'll be burned by these speedsters before the year is out.

TUESDAY MORNING QB
Who caused the blackout? And how will your AFC team fare this season? Get TMQ's unique views here.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's Red Sox first baseman Kevin Millar, left, and actor Angus MacFadyen a.k.a. Braveheart's "Robert the Bruce." Page 2 has received nine requests for this pair. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


Beg Borrow & Deal 2
6 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Season finale -- don't miss it.
 
Tennis: The U.S. Open
7 p.m. ET, USA
Early-round coverage from NY.
 
ESPN presents: Playmakers
9 p.m. ET, ESPN
If all you see is the athlete, open your eyes.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Fri., Aug. 22: Necessity's Babies
• Thur., Aug. 21: It's the System, Stupid!
• Wed., Aug. 20: Drag Racers
• Tue., Aug. 19: Blame Canada!

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
Monday, Aug. 25, 2003
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