T.D.

In the West, I'll go with Anaheim in six or seven. They knocked on the door last year, and should go further this year. As a former crappy defenseman in weak adult rec. leagues, I'm a huge fan of Niedermayer and Pronger. And I just don't care for the Wings... In the East, I'll say Sens in seven because I'd like to see them do well after all the disappointments of the past decade. But logic (eg the above-cited "knocking on the door") does dictate Buffalo... At any rate, we should have three excellent series coming up. [Added 3 days later] Sens take first two games in Buffalo! Detroit won first game due to power play, despite mostly being outplayed.

So what are you waiting for? That kind of quote sets the bar too high ... after such a lead-in, the jokes have to be classic!

Lainie Kazan Elia Kazan Eliane Elias

Wallis Simpson James Sallis Chester Himes

George Gipp Jutta Hipp Wally Pipp

I figure there'll eventually be a settlement, anyway.

There's an item (Gene W.) at espn.com claiming that the s**t might hit the fan re. steroid allegations by the ex-Met clubhouse attendant. He's "cooperating with prosecutors." (I doubt this will happen...)

Dock Ellis Charlie Sitton Willow Bay

F**k 'em! I hope the Senators can get off the schneid this year. But it'll be tough to beat the Western finalist (I predicted Anaheim, and will stick with it).

Arnold Rothstein Shoeless Joe Jackson Kenesaw Mountain Landis

Renee Richards Richard Raskind Victor Victoria

Smead Jolley Zora Folley William H. Seward

I'm not a big roundball fan, but have to recall the '94-95 Rockets. That was a very mentally tough team. En route to their (second consecutive) title, the Rockets overcame a 3-1 deficit to Phoenix, without enjoying home court advantage. During the comeback, Rockets players were quoted to the effect that "a series doesn't start until one team faces elimination." I can't help thinking that the current Maverick club is light-years removed from that kind of toughness.

Holy effin' s**t! Pats acquire Randy Moss for 4th round pick! The price seems reasonable. Can't say it's a bad deal for the Raiders, since the dude didn't wanna play there... Conn, please analyze this one for us...

Fay Wray Fazil Say Willie "The Say Hey Kid" Mays

Gee, I haven't read Time for decades. I live in upstate NY, probably 50-100 mi (roughly) west of the author, and have seen several similar articles, albeit in local and regional publications. So maybe the Time feature reflects some (admittedly small) trend... Far from the weirdest thing I've seen, though rather precious/pretentious.

Hey, I knew that! If nothing else, your sig would have been a tip-off... I'm really curious about what wacko Al Davis will do tomorrow. Russell seems obvious, but I'd never venture to predict AD's actions.

Yma Sumac Albert Camus Curtis Amy

Anaheim's my favorite to win the Cup, and I expect them to handle Vancouver. Det-SJ is unclear to me; hope the Sharks win, but logic gives Wings chances. In the East, I expect Buffalo to easily beat the Rangers, and the Sens to beat NJ in six or less. NJ's chances require Brodeur heroism, Emery shakiness, or both.

Onterrio Smith Byron "Whizzer" White Swen Nater

Chris Difford Clark Clifford Charlie Sifford

Caught up on a couple of Prestige/OJC CDs from my want list: When Farmer Met Gryce Art Farmer Quintet Featuring Gigi Gryce

Reijo Ruotsalainen Reiko Aylesworth Keiko Matsui

David Bowie Iman Don Imus

Michel Bergeron Folies Bergere Steve Hamilton