espn.com Ali Contest
Ego Fever! Catch It! Page 2's Gregg Easterbrook sees wide receivers in the NFL coming down with bad cases of vanity more often than they're coming down with meaningful receptions. It's all a part of the Bad (the newly-renovated Soldier Field) and the Beautiful (cheer-babes, of course) from Week Four's action.
EASTERBROOK: HEED THE FOOTBALL GODS!




ESPN TOOLS
 
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Is Major League Baseball well on its way to becoming the international pastime? Could be, now that the World Series will be carried on Russian television this fall. Page 2's Jim Caple can't wait to see how Russian viewers will relate to Sammy Sosa's muscles and Barry Zito's curveballs.

Worth 1,000 Words The List
Nothin' like fun at the ol' ballpark, is there? Just ask the Reds' Paul Wilson, whose little scuffle with the Cubs' Kyle Farnsworth leads our photo gallery of Major League Baseball's Year in Review, Page 2-style.
 Page 2's Tim Keown has a sure-fire way to spice up this week's Cubs-Braves playoff Series: Graft some Tony La Russa onto Bobby Cox and let him/them go after Dusty Baker. Now that'd be must-see TV.

THE DAILY QUICKIE
The Daily Quickie knows who wears the pants in Brenda Warner's family, and it ain't the backup quarterback for the Rams. And guess who Mr. Quickie says is the most overrated coach/manager in sports.


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
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.



A BROAD PERSPECTIVE
When Page 2 sent two women to check out The Black Hole in Raider Nation, the results were ... not nearly as scary as expected.

THE HOT LIST
With the postseason about to open in full swing, here's what's sizzling and fizzling in the MLB playoffs.

HEY, RUBE
Page 2's Hunter S. Thompson says a man could have no better friend than the late George Plimpton.

CUB-CONSCIOUS
It doesn't matter that the Cubs might be cursed; Murph doesn't want his Giants to meet them in the playoffs.

BE WARNED
Is Warren Sapp a cheap shot artist? Page 2's Ralph Wiley says he's just a great football player.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's Bills head coach Greg Williams, left, and actor Tom Skerritt. This match was requested by Cecil Love in Atlanta, Ga. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo for Page 2.


NLDS Game 2: Braves at Cubs
7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Javy Lopez feeling uncomfortable.
 
World Cup Quarters: USA vs. Norway
7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Norway has winning record vs USA.
 
ALDS Game 1: Red Sox at Athletics
10 p.m. ET, ESPN
Pedro and Hudson could be classic.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Mon., Sept. 29: A Day in the Hole
• Fri., Sept. 26: Big Fat Bully
• Thur., Sept. 25: West Point Winners
• Wed., Sept. 24: Sleeping with the Enemy

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
Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003
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