Second helpings: baseball fans can look forward to a rollicking stretch run that will make the lackluster first half a distant memory. (Baseball).

If you've been watching much baseball--judging by sagging attendance figures, many of you haven't--the first half of the season must have left you thinking this game is as much fun as a rain delay on a cold night at Shea Stadium.

The summer of '98 this has not been.

The biggest headlines were produced by Shammin' Sammy Sosa and his exploding corked bat. "Game's Most Popular Slugger Caught Cheating." Film at 11, 11:30, midnight and every hour for days. ESPN was running Sammy's excuse within innings of the incident, and the story topped newscasts and front pages across the land. Accusations of racism quickly followed for the over-coverage and the perceived ...