espn.com Ali Contest
You just know they're thinking it. Emmitt Smith is wondering why he signed for 16 weeks with the Cardinals. Mike Holmgren is channeling his preference for a quarterback opponent this week. And Terrell Owens . . . well, he's always had that one-track mind. Ralph Wiley's uncensored NFL thought bubbles tell all.
WILEY: DEEP, DEEP THOUGHTS




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For all the love that's been showered on them this season, it's time for the Tigers to give a little something back. As Detroit's final homestand approaches, Page 2's Ira Fritz has suggestions for how the most unforgettable team in recent history can show its appreciation for the best darn fans in the land.

Life on the Mississippi Who You Gonna Call?
When Page 2's Jim Caple stopped in Baton Rouge for a football game, an all-timer of a tailgate party broke out. Like Mike the Tiger, he's still roaring about the gumbo, the stuffed quail, the pork, the alligator stew . . .
The Red Sox and the Cubs have tried everything else. Why not give Page 2 a chance to break the Curses of the Bambino and the Billygoat. Kurt Snibbe sends Sportoon's paranormal curse-busters into the breach.

THE DAILY QUICKIE
The Daily Quickie watched him get tossed again on Wednesday and wonders how far Larry Bowa will go to get his way with baseball's umpires. Plus, is the Boss really ready to walk away from the Yankees?


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 SPORTS GUY
If you haven't seen Fox's reality show "Paradise Hotel," The Sports Guy says you're missing the best sport on TV today.

TUESDAY MORNING QB
Tuesday Morning Quarterback ponders the big week for NFL running backs, the NFL's anti-teenager rule and Miss Slovenia.

INSTANT KARMA
Page 2's Eric Neel says that down the stretch of the baseball season, it's the intangibles that will get a team to the promised land.

OXFORD
In the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Page 2's Jim Caple discovers high school football in one of the poorest areas of America.

THE LIST
"The List" asks who can we trust after Broncos coach Mike Shanahan told a fib during an NFL game.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Tice, left, and former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic. This match was requested by Ari Shyken in St. Louis, Mo. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


EA Sports NFL Matchup
7:30 p.m., ESPN
Put down your joystick and tune in.
 
MLB: Astros at Cardinals
8 p.m. ET, ESPN
'Stros try to get their streak back on.
 
College Football Friday
9 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Hawaii 'Bows visit UNLV.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Wed., Sept. 17: Delta Force
• Tue., Sept. 16: Fantastic Five
• Mon., Sept. 15: It Must Be Fixed!
• Fri., Sept. 12: Passed Time

Other featured content:
• Being Jeremy Shockey
• Ballpark Tour: Final rankings
• Ultimate Scorecard: 101 best uniform numbers
• The most underrated athletes of all time
• The most overrated athletes of all time
Thursday, Sept. 18, 2003
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