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Isabel:
Almost as hyped (and as full of air) as those other Hurricanes. Still, powerful enough to move MLB game times (but not football, see below).
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The Lead Item
Two Words For You:
GOODBYE. BOSS?
The most unlikely begging: Please,
George Steinbrenner, don't retire.
In an interview in today's New York Times, the Boss
said "If I can deliver a championship, I feel like
I can step aside," quickly clarifying that he
meant he'd let his kids take a bigger role running the
team, not step down outright.
Whether fans love or hate the Boss (mostly
hate), "Big Stein" is the most important
individual institution in baseball -- more than any
player ... heck, more than most teams.
The spout-offs, the competitiveness, the
meddling: He's the polarizing bear of the Bronx
Zoo, and the game (not to mention Page 2) wouldn't be
nearly as fun without him. Don't go anywhere,
you crazy lunatic!
Chill Out, Dude
Cry for help? More like tirade:
Phillies manager Larry Bowa is an embarrassment to his
organization and baseball, tossed out (yet again) last
night in Philly's 11-4 loss to Florida. Fiesty?
Only if by "fiesty," you mean "anger management
problem."
Meanwhile: Check out Jayson Stark's excellent
column on Marlins game hero Jeff Conine (Q It Up,
left).
NL Cy Young Race
If only the Giants ace had a Schmidt-gen of
cachet, being the NL's best pitcher might translate
into hardware. Jason had 11 Ks in his 16th win as Giants clinched the division, but Mark
Prior will still get the Lake Michigan Coast Bias.
SpitGate
We've seen what happens this season when
Buffalo gets fired up: Why would the dud Dolphins
bait the boffo Bills with allegations of spitting
during a game last season? This isn't impotent
bulletin-board material (see Tuesday's Quickie); be
sure to start WR Eric Moulds on your fantasy team.
MLB's New Ads
The new "I Live For This" campaign will
try to better connect stars with fans. Sweet, can you
make sure to pair me
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MLB WILD CARS IS *REAL* MUST-SEE 'SURVIVOR' |
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| THE SET-UP: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR TODAY |
1 Marlins at Phillies: Big gamers D-Train, Millwood
2 White Sox at Twins: Colon goes for 4th straight CG
3 Astros at Rockies: Houston can add 1/2 on idle Cubs |
| THE SIT-DOWN: DROP THESE FROM YOUR HOT LIST |
1 Mariners finished: Err ... not so fast, friends! 1.5 back
2 Super Bowl city choices: In '07, NFL tabs Miami. Again?
3 Priest H.: Status 'questionable' (right, heard THAT before) |
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with sunny Manny Ramirez? Wonder
what slogans were left on the cutting-room floor:
* I Live For Dollars: "Hi, I'm Scott
Boras ..."
* I Live For Dip: A cameo from Lenny Dykstra.
* I'll Work for Food: A-Rod hogged my salary
space.
* I Live For Annies: Wives' group rejected.
* I Live For Mike Maroth: Limited to AL
only.
Olympic Nonsense
IOC might take caffeine off banned
list: They must have figured out that Olga
Gymnastovich's latte wasn't nearly as effective as
that steroid frappucino.
Clarett Watch
NFL honchos continue to insist they know
what's better for Maurice Clarett than he does.
This time, NFLPA boss Gene Upshaw holds the party line
with the same faulty arguments:
* Needs to get his education: That's why the
league is happy to admit college juniors.
* Not physically ready: So a draft-eligible
redshirt sophomore is OK, but a true soph with much
more playing time (ergo: more physically ready) is
not.
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The next iteration of this debate is an
off-the-record NFL GM saying: "I'd draft him in a
second."
Mind Control
Gazillionaire Paul Allen announced a $100
million donation to create the Allen Institute for
Brain Science. (As opposed to his previous $100M
donation to the Blazers Institute for Brain Cramps.)
Aggies-Hokies
The Hurricanes own Virginia Tech, and
if it's not Miami, then it's Isabel tonight. But don't
blame the slop when the No. 8 Hokies are upset by No.
20 Texas A&M (7:30, ESPN).
Va Tech is breaking out the "spirit" look
(maroon on maroon) and breaking a cardinal rule of
jinxes -- sure, alterna-unis always work ... to
fire up the other team. (Memo to the Broncos:
Don't break out the blue pants against the Raiders on
Monday night.)
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Jerry Manuel:
White Sox manager could use some of Larry Bowa's spit 'n vinegar. His team is about to be swept out of AL Central playoff race.
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Today on ESPN.com
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| P2: Wiley's NFL Thought Bubbles |
| MLB: Stark on Conine's heroics |
| NFL: Clayton's First and 10 |
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| Ranking: Best Reality Shows Ever |  American Idol
| Made humiliation the hook
|  Real World
| Menage a Vegas. 'Nuff said.
|  Bachelor
| Working on 3rd spinoff
|  Queer Eye
| Your same life, made better
|  G String Divas
| | Admit it: you sneak a peek |
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13-y.o. Michelle Wie, first female junior amateur to
play in a PGA-sanctioned event (Boise Open), will make
the cut ...
Michigan wants Chris Webber to reimburse the school
for legal fees and NCAA fines (and where's my '93
office-pool refund?) ...
Expos negotiating w/Vlad Guerrero: What are they negotiating with, seat cushions? Let him go to a real franchise ...
With Mia Hamm on this week's SI cover;
it's not a jinx, just cluelessness ...
On the bookshelf: "Reclaiming the Game" about how out of whack college sports are (cool angle:
the Ivies) ...
The nut who allegedly shook his 10-y.o. daughter's
face mask at a hockey game Saturday should be taken
out back and beaten, not charged with
assault ...
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