Detroit Free Press

PASADENA, Calif. -- They came, they saw, they conquered. Now it is time for the New York Giants to do what all great American sports heroes must do:Endorsements.Phil Simms for American Express:

He has snuck into the spotlight like a sweet old uncle you never knew you had, the kind who brings lots of presents."HEY, JAMES!" the crowd screamed, slapping his hands, as he walked through the Silverdome tunnel after the Pistons beat the Celtics, 98-94, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. "WAY TO GO, JAMES! ALL RIGHT, JAMES!"

Hey. I'm into participation sports, right?So there I am, naked, alone, inside a dark, fiberglass tank, floating in water.Floating? Yes. I am told this is the latest thing. I am told this is what the modern athlete does. Here is what I want to know: Where's the soap?"Flotation tanks are great for reducing stress, healing injuries, and allowing athletes to focus on performance," says Pete Panelli, owner of Tranquil Visions, 4514 N. Woodward in Birmingham."Uh-huh," I say. "They can't accidentally lock, can they?"

ST. LOUIS -- How would you feel if your boss suddenly said you could keep your job but not do any work?Quit cheering. It's a hypothetical question.Except in baseball.Consider Hal McRae, age 39. Occupation: Designated hitter, Kansas City Royals. Job Performance: Excellent. Experience: First rate. Priority to team: Highest.Starting Role in World Series: None.Reason: Rules.

CLEVELAND -- He was the perfect quarterback. Completed all of his passes. Never got hit. He was cool. He was unrazzled. He came into the locker room after the game and his uniform was still gleaming white, and he took it off and strolled casually in for a shower.Very cool."How many of those have you thrown in your career?" someone asked Brian Brennan of his dramatic big pass, the longest of the Lions-Browns game Sunday."Three," he said, wrapping a towel around himself. "I'm three-for-three. I am 1,000 percent."

I see auto workers against cab drivers. I see Coleman against Koch. I see a Coney dog with onions against a corned beef sandwich with lots of fat.I see Detroit versus New York.Ugly."We beat them three times so far this season," Patrick Ewing said after the Knicks' 100-93 win over the Pistons Wednesday night at the Palace. "We got one more. And we plan to win that one."