espn.com Ali Contest
What's a technical director to do when his black players revolt over a perceived racial slur from Greg Ostertag on the set of "Eddie"? In Rob Ryder's case, he steps between Ostertag and Mitch Richmond with a gentle reminder that Ostertag grew up in Snakesnot, Texas. Page 2 debuts Ryder's tales from Cinema City today.
RYDER: THE HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE




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Page 2's Tim Keown says in The List that we've all overlooked one solution to the steroids problem: It's time for the clean guys, the ones in the majority, to speak up and change the system. After all, why wouldn't they want a level playing field? Plus, Sportoon's drug lab shifts into gear, and Illegal Motion gets inside baseball's new testing plan.

Rivlary Bracket A-Rod Rules!
The quarterfinals of Page 2's Rivalry Bracket features a high-profile showdown between USC-UCLA and OSU-Michigan. Plus, why Brian Murphy loves the smell of Rivalry Weekend.
 Page 2's Eric Neel was all set to rail against the American League MVP vote . . . until his man A-Rod won. And the Daily Quickie suggest how Mr. Rodriguez can really prove his worth.

UGLIEST UNIFORM BRACKET
Don't those Juventus soccer players look pretty in pink? NOT!!! But is that look any worse than the Australian women's basketball unitards? Our Ugly Uniform Bracket continues.


This year's American League Most Valuable Player Award race was one of the more controversial in recent memory. Should the award have gone to Alex Rodriguez when he played on a losing team? Here are Page 2's 10 most controversial MVP races in all sports since 1990.
10]  Karl Malone over Michael Jordan, 1997
Maybe voters were simply tired of Jordan, who'd already won four. But MJ's numbers were at least as impressive as the Mailman's. Plus, the Bulls beat the Jazz in the NBA Finals.
9]  Kurt Warner over Marshall Faulk, 2001
Warner won in 1999; Faulk in 2000. But which of these teammates played the biggest role in the Rams' 14-2 record in 2001? A very tough call.
8]  Sammy Sosa over Mark McGwire, 1998
How do you not vote for the slugger whose 70 home runs smashed the single-season longball record? The Cubs made the playoffs, but were only 6 1/2 games better than St. Louis.
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Sunday Chiefs 11½ Raiders 45½
Sunday Ravens 2 Seahawks 37½
Sunday Vikings 10½ Lions 46½
Monday Bucs 5½ Giants 38
NCAA FOOTBALL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Saturday Michigan 6 Ohio State NL
Saturday USC 21½ UCLA NL
Saturday Auburn 7½ Alabama NL
Saturday Oklahoma 19½ Texas Tech NL
Saturday LSU 6½ Ole Miss NL


 
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-Rod for LVP
Alex Rodriguez isn't the MVP. In fact, he might be the Least Valuable Player in baseball.

Jim Caple makes that argument in today's edition of the Writers' Bloc -- but not all of the Bloc members are buying it.
UPDATED 4:40 P.M. ET



HEY, RUBE
After a strange personal transformation and a weird late-night phone call, the Good Doctor questions his state of mind.

THE HOT LIST
Whether or not UConn's a lock, here's what's sizzling and fizzling in college hoops.

THE SPORTS GUY
The Sports Guy says no griping for five years if your team wins it all.
If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


It's 49ers QB and MNF Superman Tim Rattay, left, and a young Christopher Reeves. This match was requested by 18 Page 2 readers.Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


NCAA Men's Hoops: Preseason NIT
7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Nevada vs. top ranked Connecticut
 
Football: Marshall at Central Florida
7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Battle in Mid America
 
NBA Wednesday: Pistons at Grizzlies
9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Memphis seeks a skid snap.
 
• Complete TV Listings


If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
• Mon., Nov. 17: Passion Plays
• Fri., Nov. 14: Cha-Cha's Last Ride
• Thur., Nov. 13: Sex, Sex and Videotape
• Wed., Nov. 12: LeBron's LeBrain

Other featured content:
• Re-building the Yankees
• All-Time World Series Rankings
• 100 Greatest Home Runs of All Time
• Ultimate Scorecard: 101 best uniform numbers
• The most underrated athletes of all time
• The most overrated athletes of all time
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003
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