espn.com Ali Contest
That Fenway Park standing ovation for the Rocket during his last appearance in Boston? It's an emergency addition to the Sports Guy's "Things That Never Happened" list. How else to explain it? When it comes to Roger Clemens, Page 2's Bill Simmons would never be so fickle as to cheer, and his latest Mailbag proves it.
SIMMONS: SEE NO EVIL




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If it seems like Major League Baseball makes up its playoff tiebreakers as it goes along . . . well, maybe it does. As Page 2's David Schoenfield explores the scenarios in the season's final days, he finds baseball scrambling to account for the very real possibility of a four-way tie. For that matter, the other sports can't get their playoffs right, either.

Tigers vs. Mets The Daily Quickie
Can't anyone here play this game? Casey said it about the Mets, but shouldn't it apply to Jeremy Bonderman and the Tigers, too? Jeff Merron has the ultimate comparison: the '62 Mets vs. the soon-to-be historic Tigers.
The Daily Quickie's take on Allen Iverson's new $76.7 million deal? Good for AI; not so good for the Sixers, who are stuck with him now. Plus, Chris Rix parking tix, and Windy City votes for a Cy Young winner in a Giants' uniform.

TUESDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK
Has Tuesday Morning Quarterback finally met his match in Broncos' cheerleader Catherine Williams? Page 2's Gregg Easterbrook has the TMQ Commandments, including this: Honor Thy Cheer-Babe.


We're just through Week 3, but that doesn't mean we can't start talking about the NFL's top rookie. Is it Arizona's Anquan Boldin? Seattle's Ken Hamlin? Maybe Green Bay's Nick Barnett? Make your case, but be sure to measure your favorite rookie up against the players on our list of the NFL's greatest rookies of all time.
10]  Randy Moss (Vikings, 2001)
His teammate, the veteran Cris Carter, said the kid Minnesota chose with the 21st pick in the first round "could be Michael Jordan." Was Moss that good? He scored 17 TDs on 69 catches for 1,313 yards in his first season.
9]  Gale Sayers (Bears, 1965)
After Sayers scored six TDs on 336 total yards against San Francisco in one game during his rookie season, 49er quarterback Y.A. Tittle said, "I just wonder how many he would've scored if we hadn't set up our defenses to stop him."
8]  Dan Marino (Dolphins, 1983)
So much for easing into the league. In his first pro start (Game 6), Marino completed 19-of-29 for 322 yards and three TDs. He still holds the record for the highest passer rating as a rookie.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NCAA FOOTBALL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Saturday Michigan 34 Indiana NL
Saturday Tennessee 16 So. Carolina NL
Saturday Pittsburgh 1 Texas A&M 50
Saturday Purdue 10 Notre Dame 43½
NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Sunday Seahawks 3 Patriots 42½
Sunday Bills 3 Eagles 41
Sunday Steelers 3 Titans 44
Sunday Panthers 6 Hawks 36
Monday Packers 34 Bears 41½
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
Even though the Jets aren't scoring touchdowns, "The List" says Herman Edwards earns points for trying.

METROSEXUALS
Page 2's Stacey Pressman wants her men back and the metrosexual trend to come to an end.

THE WATER COOLER
It's the end of an era at The Cooler. Page 2's Brian Murphy highlights the best and worst in Cooler history.

THE REAL CURSE
The Sports Guy turned down a Red Sox HBO special. And he's glad.

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.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's acting legend Michael J. Fox, left, and San Francisco Giants' pitcher Matt Herges. This match was requested by James Hong in Cupertino, Calif. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


PGA Tour Golf: Valero Texas Open
4 p.m. ET, ESPN
Tee-off on LaCantera in SanAnton.
 
2003 Women's World Cup Soccer
7:25 p.m. ET, ESPN2
USA vs. a physical Nigeria squad.
 
College Football Thursday
7:30 p.m., ESPN
Nebraska at Southern Miss.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Tue., Sept. 23: The TMQ Commandments
• Mon., Sept. 22: Girly-Men!
• Fri., Sept. 19: BIG 'n Bullish
• Thur., Sept. 18: Thinking Out Loud

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
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2003
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