Bob Hille's starting 5

Sporting News, The, August 5, 2005

1 The NHL. Are there hard feelings? Only among players, owners and fans, which, on the bright side, leaves about 326.75 million of the rest of us in the United States and Canada.

2 Larry Brown. Word is there was concern about his long-term health. I can relate because I'm sick--sick of hearing about where Larry Brown is going to coach.

3 First-place Yankees. I have to admit that when I looked at the standings, I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Same as when Joe Torre looks at his pitching staff.

4 The N.L. Central, The race is for second place ... unless you live in Cincinnati, where the race is to dump your season tickets.

5 Lance Armstrong. He's retired from bicycling. Retired from bicycling. OK, I'll be the ugly American. What's he do now, take up "hangin' out at the food court till Billy's big brother can pick them up"?