espn.com Ali Contest
Remember when Steve Bartman bobbled a double-play ball and allowed eight runs to the Marlins? Remember when Pedro Martinez pushed 74-year-old Dick Clark to the ground? Remember when David Wells came down with Mad Cow Disease? You couldn't make this stuff up. You couldn't. But Jim Caple could.
CAPLE: STRANGER THAN TRUTH




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Page 2's Bill Simmons has a whopper of a New Year's resolution. No, not for him, silly. This resolution is for every owner of every franchise in every league. Here 'tis: "I resolve to stop being stupid." So take heed, Tom Hicks. Pay attention, Dan Snyder. You listening, James Dolan? The Sports Guy is watching.

Verse and Chapter The Daily Quickie
Bill Shakespeare had his sonnets. Big deal. Page 2's Brian Murphy has his couplets. Even bigger deal. (At least to us.) Murph's take on 2003 is all wrapped up in rhyme, even if the reason isn't exactly clear.
 The Daily Quickie has a birthday present for LeBron: He makes the Quickie's Top 10 list of one-name wonders, along with Carmelo. Plus, the year's 10 most intriguing stories, and the coaching carousel.

BEST SPORTS BOOKS OF THE YEAR
From contributions by Roger Angell to Pete Dexter to Rick Reilly to Roger Kahn, 2003 was a very good year for sports books, and ESPN Books editor Chris Raymond presents the best of the best.


What better way to top off 2003 than with a list of . . . well, lists. Here are our favorites from a Page 2 year chock-full of bests, worsts, and in-betweens, along with some occasional second thoughts..
10]  Worst Cases of Foot-in-mouth Disease
Oops. Did I say that out loud? Yep, people like Al Campanis (to Ted Koppel), Bobby Knight (to Connie Chung) and Marge Schott (to just about everybody) really did.
9]  100 Greatest Home Runs of All Time
Where does Big Mac's 62nd dinger rank? How 'bout the 'Shot Heard Round the World'? Fisk in the '75 World Series? And can any of those top Maz's 1960 Series-ender?
8]  Gutsiest Calls in Sports
Oklahoma's Bob Stoops and the Texans' Dom Capers made some nail-biters early in the football season. But did they measure up to Dr. Tom Osborne's 1984 Orange Bowl call?
  • GET THE FULL LIST


NFL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Saturday Colts 3 Broncos 49
Saturday Packers 7 Seahawks 44
Sunday Panthers 3 Cowboys 34
Sunday Ravens 2½ Titans 40½
NCAA FOOTBALL FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG O/U
Rose USC 6½ Michigan NL
Orange Florida State 2 Miami NL
Sugar Oklahoma 6 LSU NL
Fiesta Kansas St 7 Ohio St 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.


If They Build It . . .
If the taxpayers build a new space-age arena for the local pro team, it will revitalize the city and invigorate civic pride.

If the taxpayers build a new space-age arena for the local pro team, it will displace residents, cost jobs and take money out of their wallets.

The members of the Writers' Bloc can't agree ... but the debate is mighty fun.

  • Archive: Too gifted | Holiday memories
    • LAST UPDATED MONDAY 4:45 P.M. ET



    THE SPORTS GUY
    In the spirit of Christmas, Page 2's Bill Simmons has some ramblings for kids from 1 to 92.

    NFL THOUGHT BALLOONS
    Page 2's Ralph Wiley gives us a holiday look into the minds of our friendly, neighborhood NFLers.
    If your favorite writer isn't on Page 2 today, click here to check out our full roster of columnists.


    It's former "Home Improvement" offspring Zachery Ty Bryan, left, and Arizona's fourth-and-25 hero Josh McCown, right. This match was requested by Brett in Wisconsin. Browse our archives of past pairs or click here to submit a future duo.


    Rich Girls Marathon
    6 p.m. ET, MTV
    They're vapid, vacuous and very rich.
     
    Holiday Bowl
    7 p.m. ET, ESPN
    Washington State vs. Texas
     
    I Love the '70s: 1975
    9 p.m. ET, VH1
    Sweathogs, sharks and pet rocks.
     
    Silicon Valley Football Classic
    10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
    UCLA vs. Fresno State
     
    • Complete TV Listings


    If you missed Page 2 over the last week, check out our back issues:
    • Fri., Dec. 26: The Sex Files
    • Wed., Dec. 24: NFL Uncensored
    • Tue., Dec. 23: Real Men Wear Tutus
    • Mon., Dec. 22: Sexy Beasts

    Other featured content:
    • Sex and Sports, 2003: Part I
    • Sex and Sports, 2003: Part II
    • All-Time World Series Rankings
    • 100 Greatest Home Runs of All Time
    • Ultimate Scorecard: 101 best uniform numbers
    Monday, Dec. 29, 2003
    .