Thumbs up

        1) The Reds' pennant race. The local nine's run as a serious contender looks to be on its final legs, particularly with a potential strike at the end of the month. But shoot, it was a good time while it lasted. When you figure a pitching staff topped by Elmer Dessens and injuries to Junior, Larkin and Casey, it's a wonder they hung in as long as they did. (Boy, we're gonna miss second guessing Bob Boone's decisions in games that matter).

        2) UC quarterback Gino Guidugli and Miami QB Ben Roethlisberger. In these guys, the UC and Miami football programs have QBs that would make Buckeye fans froth at the mouth. The local college football season should be exciting, particularly the young guns' head-to-head meeting Oct. 5. (The Power Rankings headline writers wouldn't mind if they were named Smith and Jones, however.)

        3. The Little League World Series. We're glad the Harlam team came out clean because we wouldn't want to have had to deal with a scandal for a second straight year (Remember Danny Almonte?). Besides, the Harlam program is a great story. Started 13 years ago, the program now has some 40 teams and more than 600 participants.

        4. Tiger. At the risk of sounding redundant — oh, wait, it's much too late for that — when he's in contention, it's awesome. We can watch enough. When he's not in contention, it's . . . uh, men's tennis?

        5. The Cincinnati basketball schedule. Power rankings has long been steamed over the ending of the Bearcats' series with Miami. But now it's back, and it's gonna be great. The UC non-conference schedule also includes Dayton, Xavier, Oregon and Tennessee-Chattanooga. Not bad.

        Thumbs down

        1) The baseball strike date. The players say it's just a bargaining tool, but so far they're eight-for-eight going out after setting one. Guess what guys? Go for it. We'll probably come begging for you to return. After all, there's not much going on in September. Aw, maybe some high school football and soccer and volleyball. Then some college football, and pro football — if you haven't noticed, that NFL is faring fairly well. Toss in a little NASCAR and the U.S. Open tennis tournament and some Ryder Cup golf. Yup, we'll sure miss your act, fellas.

        2) Strike talk Part II (in particular, player reps like Denny Hocking). The Twin scrub is always talking about the players doing the right thing for those who will follow. Jeez. Hocking and his .254 career batting average should look to the heavens every day and thank the Big Guy for the privilege of being in the bigs.

        3). Strike talk Part III (in particular, the players' fight over the luxury tax). Yep, baseball players couldn't possibly survive if they had a luxury tax, which, they say, is really a salary cap. Yep, it's clear the caps have put pro basketball and football players in the poor house. Mike Bibby barely got $80 million out of the Sacramento Kings and Brian Simmons, arguably the second best linebacker on the Bengals, had to settle for $23 million. Mercy.

        4). The NFL exhibition pricetag. Yes, NFL, we say exhibitions. You're not fooling us by trying to use the term preseason. It's bad enough they charge full price for these glorified scrimmages. Then they do things like hold Marshall Faulk out the entire preseason.

        5) Adam Dunn. We luuuuuuuuv the kid. But who in the world is his baserunning coach, Chris Sabo?

Sports Stories

Badminton to the bone Enquirer Page Two power rankings Five questions with DJ Bucher A big move from the little Texan Crenshaw commits to Kroger Landing in the soup Water, water everywhere Harlem wins Little League WS opener One year later, Almonte still not acting his age Russians are back, better for second run at series Blake overpowers Agassi to reach Legg Mason final Elliott tries to put streak in perspective For David Tua, Moorer proves an easy half-million Junqueira wins CART pole Matthew leads at Canadian Women's Open Rule change has some teams griping Tark has the NCAA on his trail again Teams walking luxury-tax line COLLEGE FOOTBALL 2002 Key for Bearcats is winning the close ones Lorenzen gets in gear at UK Miami RedHawks football at a glance Ragone guides Cards through summer RedHawks' offense shines RedHawks short on seniors, but long on talent Weight no longer 'an issue' for Kentucky's Lorenzen Wildcats hungry to win in SEC 2002 College Football TV Schedule Boilermakers looking to stay in Big Ten race Buckeyes brimming with confidence despite questions Cardinals eyeing next level Forecasting the season by fours Heisman hopefuls Irish wake-up? Is any team capable of perfection? Leftwich well-armed Preseason Top 25 Capsules Son of Spurrier? Zook hopes to continue Florida legacy Wait is over for Nebraska QB Lord ACC Preview Big 12 preview Big Ten Preview Conference USA Preview MAC preview SEC Preview

Astros 6, Reds 1
Reds box, runs
Reds Q&A
Recovering Dessens on track for return
Reds chatter: Rook on a roll
Cardinals 5, Phillies 1
John Fay's MLB Power rankings
Louisville 7, Columbus 1
Major-league baseballs hand-made in Costa Rica
Bengals 22, Colts 10
Bengals-Colts Stats
DAUGHERTY: Bengals QBs
Akili making a pass at QB job
Bengals Q&A
Booker's career enters last years, but he's not done
Colts' Rhodes will miss season with torn ACL
Broncos' Davis to retire after latest knee injury
Browns WR stays after all
Browns 24, Lions 23
Chiefs 19, Texans 9
Cowboys 19, Panthers 16
Falcons 36, Giants 24
Packers 29, Cardinals 21
Patriots 16, Eagles 15
GROESCHEN: Crosstown games mean it's football time