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This might have been one of the best days ever for Boston's biggest sports fans. Instead, it turned into cruel and unusual punishment, as Bill Simmons suffered through the heartbreak of losses by his beloved Red Sox and his cherished Patriots. How bad was it? The Sports Guy chronicled every miserable moment.
SIMMONS: PURE, UNDADULTERATED HELL




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Yes, it was a Weekend Water Cooler kind of beautiful day in the Bay Area, tailor-made for hiking, boating and walking the dog. But not if you answer to a Higher Calling. Not if you hear the Siren Song of the remote control. Page 2's Brian Murphy did, much to the chagrin of his wordsmith pooch.

Life on the Mississippi Ballpark Tour
Page 2's Jim Caple washes in the headwaters of the mightiest American river and begins a journey through the heartland to find Sports Life on the Mississippi. Does he look a little like Huck Finn?
 With Pittsburgh's tribute to Roberto Clemente presiding over the perfect blend of location, design and comfort, Jim Caple finds our ratings champion at PNC Park. Page 2's Ballpark Tour wraps up in Steel Town.

THE DAILY QUICKIE
The Daily Quickie casts an envious eye in the direction of Andy Roddick's wicked serve, U.S. Open title and hot, hot, hot girlfriend. Plus, studs and duds in NFL openers, and Top 25 outrage.


About three weeks to go, and there's a whole lotta shakin' going on in some wicked-good division and wild-card pennant races right now. Could this season possibly edge its way onto our list of the 10 greatest pennant races of all time??
10]  1948: Cleveland Rocks
Cleveland, Boston and New York were tied at the top of the AL with a week to go. A week later, only the Yankees were eliminated. Lou Boudreau's two home runs in a one-game playoff at Fenway sent Cleveland into the Series.
9]  1951: The Shot
The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! Bobby Thomson, 3:58 p.m. Need we say more?
8]  1956: A Nation of Kids
Don Newcombe's 27th win and two Duke Snider home runs (not to mention a spectacular catch) held off Milwaukee on the final day of the season, and the Dodgers survived to face the Yankees again in the Series.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Monday Eagles 3 Buccaneers 36
Sunday Dolphins 3 Jets 36½
Sunday Packers 6½ Lions 47
Sunday Seahawks 4½ Cardinals 44½
NCAA FOOTBALL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Saturday Texas 13 Arkansas -
Saturday Michigan 10 Notre Dame -
Saturday Nebraska 10 Penn State -
Saturday UCLA 10½ Illinois -
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.


HEY, RUBE
After the death of singer Warren Zevon, Page 2 looks back at Hunter S. Thompson's 2001 tribute to his dear friend.

NFL PREVIEW
Page 2's Bill Simmons continues his 2003 NFL Preview with more amazing parallels from the movie "Top Gun".

NFL PREVIEW
What does the movie "Top Gun" have to do with the 2003 National Football League season?

BALLPARK TOUR
Houston's Minute Maid Park scores high in architecture, but lacks enough juice.

TUESDAY MORNING QB
TMQ was uncannily accurate in his predictions a season ago. Can he match last year's haiku-water mark?
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


t's CNN analyst Greta van Susteren, left, and US Open champ, Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne. This match was requested by William Lin in Los Angeles, Calif. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.


MLB: Tigers at Yankees
7 p.m. ET, CBS
David visits Goliath's stadium.
 
Notre Dame Fooball
8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Get inside those gold helmets.
 
Playmakers
9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Cougars' habits are haunting.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Fri., Sept. 5: Top Gun, Part Deux
• Thur., Sept. 4: I Feel the Need
• Wed., Sept. 3: Head Case
• Tue., Sept. 2: Poetry in Motion

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, Sept. 8, 2003
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