Read My Lips

Last week Kent Desormeaux (above), Sweetnorthernsaint's jockey, issued a proclamation before the Preakness: "I guarantee I won't be worse than second." Desormeaux made good on his promise, placing 5 1/4 lengths behind winner Bernardini (page 40). It wasn't the boldest prediction ever, but Desormeaux was smart to allow some wiggle room. Guaranteeing victory isn't always a wise move. Consider:

2006 Rasheed Wallace
With Detroit up 2-1 in its conference semifinal series with the Cavaliers, the Pistons' forward declares that Game 4 in Cleveland will be "the last game here in this building for this year. You all can quote me." Duly challenged, the Cavs win two straight. The Pistons eventually win in seven games (page 36)--but without much help from Wallace (right), who turns his ankle in Game 4 and struggles for the rest of the series.

2006 Don Waddell
In February the Thrashers' G.M. promises that the franchise will earn its first playoff berth. "If you want to write guarantee, I have no problem with that," he says. But despite a strong finish, Atlanta misses out. "There was so much pressure," says Waddell. Now why would that be?

2005-06 Chad Johnson
Before a showdown with the 9-0 Colts, the Bengals' wideout (left) backs into a guarantee: "There's no need for me to guarantee a victory," he says, cockily. And in a way he's right: Cincinnati loses 45-37.

2004 Tony Pe�a
The Royals' manager makes a bold--and bullheaded--prediction when, with K.C.'s record at 7-15, he vows, "We are going to win the Central." When the season ends, Kansas City is in last place, and Pe�a (right) resigned the following May.

2004 Carmelo Anthony
Before the Athens Olympics, the second-youngest player on the U.S. hoops team says, "We're guaranteeing a gold medal. We're bringing it back." The gold winds up in Argentina, while Anthony (left) and friends bring back little more than snapshots of the Acropolis. The U.S. finished third.

2002 Lon Kruger
The Hawks make like Ron Popeil and offer a money-back guarantee: If they don't make the playoffs, season-ticket holders will get a $125 refund. The fans get their money. Kruger is fired and was last seen selling Showtime rotisserie grills. (O.K., not really, but he was fired.)

2000 Mark Messier
Feeling flush after his 1994 playoff guarantee against the Devils paid off, the center (right) celebrates his return to the Rangers with another vow: "I'll guarantee you we'll make the playoffs." Not quite--the Blueshirts finish in 10th place in the conference.