espn.com Ali Contest
She was frightened. She was shocked. She was toasted . . . often. She was even caged by a Raider Nation denizen named Spike. But in the end, Alysse Minkoff was befriended by the fearsome followers who watch the Raiders from the end zone known as the Black Hole. The moral: Sometimes, it's good to be bad.
MINKOFF: HOLE STORY | PHOTO GALLERY




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Page 2's Hunter S. Thompson lost a treasured friend last Friday when George Plimpton passed away at the age of 76. A genuine man of letters, Plimpton was as close as the literary world comes to American Royalty. Thompson's tribute calls for a monument to be built in his honor.

Sizzlin' and Fizzlin' It's Their 'Dustiny!'
Page 2's Dan Shanoff presents the Hot and the Not on the playoff scene now that the postseason is set. Who's got the fiery fastball? Kerry Wood, of course . . . at least next to Tim Wakefield's so-called "heat."
 Page 2's Brian Murphy plays a little "Fear Factor" with baseball's postseason matchups, and keeps coming back to Dusty Baker's lovable losers from Chicago. Could the Cubs really be the most dangerous team?

THE DAILY QUICKIE
The Daily Quickie says Saturday's loss to Minnesota is only the latest indication that it's time for Penn State's Joe Paterno to go. Plus, the Bonds Game Plan and the Vet's best seats.


Fasten yourself in, because the next few weeks are going to be wild and woolly in Major League Baseball. By the time the World Series rolls around, we'll have a memory bank chock full of the thrills, spills, joy and heartbreak that come 'round every October. But will these games measure up to baseball's all-time best playoff games?
10]  Reds 4, Pirates 3 ('72 NLCS)
Tried-and-true Reds' fans will never forget the ninth-inning rally that started with Johnny Bench's home run and finished with Bob Moose's wild pitch that scored George Foster and gave the game to Cincinnati.
9]  Dodgers 2, Expos 1 ('81 NLCS)
Fernando Valenzuela was a rookie, and Fernando-mania was in full swing. In rain and 41-degree temperature in Montreal, he froze Montreal through eight-plus innings -- long enough for a Rick Monday home run to win it for L.A. in the ninth.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Monday Packers 4 Bears 41½
Sunday Titans 1½ Patriots 41
Sunday Giants 1 Dolphins 38½
Sunday Eagles 5 Redskins 39½
Sunday Steelers 7 Browns 43
Mon, Oct. 6 Bucs 4½ Colts 38
NCAA FOOTBALL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Thursday Miami (Fla.) 27 W. Virginia NL
Friday Oregon 3 Utah NL
Saturday Auburn 2½ Tennessee NL
Saturday Michigan 2½ Iowa NL
Saturday Texas 6½ Kansas State 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.



BE WARNED
Is Warren Sapp a cheap shot artist? Page 2's Ralph Wiley says he's just a great football player.

PAGE 2 ALL-STARS
It takes a special type of baseball player to make the the All-Page 2 Team for 2003.

TAILGATE TOUR
Page 2 visits the best places in college football, this time high above Army's Michie Stadium.

THE SPORTS GUY
Sandwiches, coffee and some Bird. The Sports Guy's mailbag will satisfy your hunger.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's Natalie Williams, left, of the WNBA's Indiana Fever, and USA Soccer's Shannon Boxx. This match was requested by 11 readers. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


ALDS Game #1: Twins at Yankees
1 p.m. ET, ESPN
Twinkies take to their Bronx task.
 
NLDS Game #1: Marlins at Giants
4 p.m. ET, ESPN
Fish pitch around Barry in Pac Bell.
 
ESPN Entertainment: Playmakers
9 p.m. ET, ESPN
This week's dose of high drama.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Fri., Sept. 26: Big Fat Bully
• Thur., Sept. 25: West Point Winners
• Wed., Sept. 24: Sleeping with the Enemy
• Tue., Sept. 23: The TMQ Commandments

Other featured content:
• Baseball's Unpreparedness Plan
• 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
Monday, Sept. 29, 2003
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