espn.com Ali Contest
Deep in the heart of the Delta, Page 2's Jim Caple finds a high school football team that has held a community together through generations of wretched poverty and a radical shift in the racial balance. Our odyssey down the Mississippi River stops in Rosedale, Miss., where the living ain't easy but the rewards can be bountiful.
CAPLE: TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL




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Now that Bill Laimbeer has taken the Detroit Shock from worst to first in the WNBA, the Daily Quickie wonders if the next step for the former Pistons' bad boy will take him back to his old stompin' grounds in Mr. Stern's league. Plus, a big suprise (yeah, right!) at Auburn and the college Upset Special.

The Sports Guy Pennant Fever
Page 2's Bill Simmons says no one should trifle with the rules (whatever they are) of the "Paradise Hotel" game, even when toilet paper is involved. Truth is, the world of sports isn't much different than Fox's reality show.
 Pitcher-batter matchups? Sure, they'll play a role in the playoff races, but not like the karmic stews Page 2's Eric Neel serves up for the contendors. Plus, Sportoon waxes poetic about the Ballpark Blues and the price we pay for winners.

TUESDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK
Page 2's Gregg Easterbrook wonders if the Ravens' Jamal Lewis would have been so brash about his record-breaking prediction if he'd been standing in a crowded stadium at home plate with Babe Ruth.


So who are your Rookies of the Year? Do you take Hideki Matsui or Rocco Baldelli in the American League? How do you choose from among Dontrelle Willis, Brandon Webb and Scott Podsednik in the NL? And are any of them having the kind of year that measures up to the performances on our list of the greatest rookie baseball seasons of all time?
10]  Ichiro Suzuki (Mariners, 2001)
Forget the argument about his real rookie status. Ichiro electrified baseball, winning everything in sight. In addition to Rookie of the Year, he won the AL MVP, the league batting title and was the leading vote-getter in the All-Star Game.
9]  Jackie Robinson (Dodgers, 1947)
Pretty solid numbers (.297, 12 home runs, 48 RBI and a league-leading 29 stolen bases) and a Brooklyn pennant certainly helped, but Robinson won the Rookie of the Year award and finished fifth in MVP voting because he changed everything in baseball.
8]  Frank Robinson (Reds, 1956)
Robinson wasn't even on the Reds' spring roster that season, but he was an All-Star by July and a unanimous Rookie of the Year by the end of September. That's what 38 home runs, 83 RBI and a .290 batting average will do for you.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Sunday Patriots 6½ Jets 37½
Sunday Bucs 3½ Falcons 35½
Sunday Seahawks 3 Rams 47½
Sunday Dolphins 3 Bills 41
NCAA FOOTBALL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Thursday Virginia Tech 14½ Texas A&M NL
Saturday Michigan 7½ Oregon NL
Saturday Miami 12½ Boston College NL
Saturday Florida 2½ Tennessee NL
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.


THE LIST
"The List" asks who can we trust after Broncos coach Mike Shanahan told a fib on Sunday.

HEY, RUBE
The Good Doctor sounds off on the sad state of professional boxing, and Week 2 in the NFL.

THE WATER COOLER
Page 2's Brian Murphy pays tribute to Johnny Cash -- the man who should've wore Raider black.

JETS
Page 2's Ralph Wiley says the Jets might be better off with Joe Namath over Vinny Testaverde at quarterback.

OXFORD
At the University of Mississippi, Page 2's Jim Caple studies the campus, the ladies and the controversial mascot.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's New Orleans Saints coach Jim Haslett, left, and actor Ian Ziering from 90210 fame. This match was requested by nine Page 2 readers. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.


Football: Texas A&M at Virginia Tech
7:30 p.m., ESPN
Aggies hit Blacksburg like a hurricane.
 
MLS Soccer: Rapids at Revolution
7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Not just football in Foxboro.
 
Baseball Tonight (live)
Midnight ET, ESPN2
Pennant races are hot, time to tune in.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Tue., Sept. 16: Fantastic Five
• Mon., Sept. 15: It Must Be Fixed!
• Fri., Sept. 12: Passed Time
• Thur., Sept. 11: Red Planet

Other featured content:
• Ballpark Tour: Final rankings
• Ultimate Scorecard: 101 best uniform numbers
• The most underrated athletes of all time
• The most overrated athletes of all time
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2003
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