Black ties, stretch limos and the greatest athletes in the world.

Welcome to the seventh annual ESPY Awards at the famous Radio City Music Hall. Thanks to the miracles of the Internet and ESPN.com, we'll bring you live backstage at the biggest night in sports.

Enjoy the awards broadcast on ESPN and check out your computer for what the winners and presenters are saying behind the scenes. You can even ask questions of your favorites.

He's almost here, 11:10 p.m. ET
Things are being broken down around us now as we wait for Mark McGwire.

What? He's not coming? Are you sure? How about Tyra Banks? No?

OK, then. From backstage at ESPYs... Goodnight everybody.

Out.

Lost World, 10:59 p.m. ET
One of the taller celebs to grace us with his presence was actor Vince Vaughn. He of the Lost World and Swingers movies.

Moderator question: Did you ever think you could hit 70 home runs this season?

Vince Vaughn: I was surprised at first I wasn't nominated. Then I realized I hadn't played any sports this year, so that's kind of tough to get nominated, but I just didn't want to spread myself too thin. I really respect Deion for being able to play a couple of sports, but for me, with the acting, I really wanted to focus on one.

I might come out and try and take a few deep, but I'm more of a team guy. I like to get the guys around the bases. I think all the kids win in a situation like that.

Moderator question: What are you working on now?

Vince Vaughn: I am going to do a comedy with John Favreau who wrote Swingers.

Look at me, please!!, 10:45 p.m. ET
You kind of have to see it to truly appreciate the area for pictures. It's like the movies -- the celebrities enter this room, flashes are popping everywhere and every single photographer is screaming at the top of their lungs to have that person or persons look at their camera. That is the cue we have been using to let us know when a big wig is on the way.

Sammy is the man, 10:40 p.m. ET
Moderator question: What has it been like to go from All-Star player to the hero of at least one nation and in some ways, two?

Sammy Sosa: It's part of the business you know. I think that's part of the reason people love me so much is the way that I've been and the way that I've been carrying myself.

People know that I think of my job as taking care of everything and I hope I can keep continuing to do that.

Is this year over yet?, 10:35 p.m. ET
You have to kind of feel sorry for Sammy Sosa. We have run into him several times today and the poor guy is being pulled in more directions that a Stretch Armstrong. His handlers have been most accomodating but there are so many requests, he can't possibly get to them all.

He did sign our poster. Yeah!

Trouble's brewing, 10:25 p.m. ET
Everyone is so hungry for guests backstage that reporters are getting aggressive. The strong arms in charge are threatening to pull press credentials if they follow the athletes and celebrities as they make their way through the press room. We're keeping our distance...for now.

Sniff, sniff, 10:15 p.m. ET
The consensus back stage is that we did indeed see a tear from David Wells after winning the Dramatic Individual Performance of the Year. And he even had time to take a shot at Chris Berman.

Battling back, 10:07 p.m. ET
Two of 1998's most heart-wrenching stories in Eric Davis and Darryl Strawberry made an appearance behind the scenes and talked about their battle against cancer. Tough to put a humorous spin on that one both said. Both guys looked great and solid. They both appeared ready to hit the field tomorrow.

SportsCenter II, 10:00 p.m. ET
The two anchors from ABC's SportsNight wandered back stage and tackled questions about the show's parallel to ESPN SportsCenter. Both said there are a lot of similarities but that they don't go strictly by the SportsCenter format. There already is a SportsCenter said the guys. They said the show is reality-based but the writers put their own spin on the show.

Kenny Mayne and Dan Patrick will be happy.

A King and her court, 9:58 p.m. ET
We're sure the headline is a retread, but it works. Billie Jean King fielded questions from the press and was asked about gender equality.

She said that women have come a long way but there is still a long way to go. King pointed out that women still get 78 cents (68 in the financial world) on the dollar, but that during her Battle of the Sexes with Bobby Riggs, not one women sports writer covered the match.

There was also the announcement that she's introducing a new word to the world in hopes it will become part of the English lexicon -- shero.

Calm before another storm, 9:32 p.m. ET
A bit of a lull has fallen over the backstage area, but that is sure to change with the arrival of the nominees for MLB Player of the Year -- Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Roger Clemens.

No butts about it, 9:24 p.m. ET
Moderator question: As a busy guy, why did you squeeze the ESPYs into your schedule?

Dennis Franz: It is not too often that those of us that act for a living get to spend a night with our true heroes -- these men and women that play sports for a living. In all actors lies a frustrated athlete and we would love to switch places with them. Oddly enough there seems to be a lot of them that are fascinated with what we do and would like to switch places with us. So it is great to be here in their arena.

Moderator question: Is there one person looking forward to talking to?

Dennis Franz: I would love to meet Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire. I think they have accomplished a feat that I didn't think anyone was going to be able to do. The fact they they did it together and did it so gentlemanly . . . I just think they are wonderful for the sport and for all sports in general. They are an inspiration to a lot of people.

Moderator question: What is your favorite sport?

Dennis Franz: I love to play golf, but to watch I love basketball and baseball.

Carmen sings, 9:10 p.m. ET
Moderator question: What made you decide to attend the ESPYs?

Carmen Electra: I am promoting my new show, Hyperion Bay, Monday nights on the WB. Because this is a new experience for me doing award shows with lots of entertainers, athletes and musicians, it is just a great new experience for me. It's a fun event.

Moderator question: Are you looking for anyone in particular?

Carmen Electra: I am not even sure who is here actually, but I am looking forward to getting back into the audience seeing who is here and watching the rest of the show.

Moderator question: Are you tired of questions about Dennis?

Carmen Electra: No. I get asked them everyday. But I am now a big NBA fan.

A scoop from the better half, 8:58 p.m. ET
Carmen Electra reprompted questions to herself as Carmen Rodman, and said that her husband Dennis would be signing soon. "He just wants to get one more weekend of partying out of the way," she said. When asked where the Worm would turn up, Mrs. Rodman replied, "Let's just say that it will be close to home."

Martian likes hockey, 8:55 p.m. ET
Moderator question: How long have you followed hockey?

Jeff Daniels: My whole life, gosh about 25 years. I started following the Red Wings when they were playing in the old Olympia Stadium. I have followed them ever since and I bought season tickets when they were the dregs of the league. They won like 10 games. Then they got good and it paid off to have season tickets.

I discovered hockey when I realized unlike basketball when I you got tap somebody on the wrist, they don't stop the game to shoot two shots. That always annoyed me. Then I found this sport that where they hit each other then fight and it was even faster than basketball. I liked that.

Moderator question: What is your favorite hockey memory?

Jeff Daniels: I was there when the Red Wings won the Cup the first time. I got to go into the lockerroom, and I had my 12-year old boy with me who is a big fan. Just to have him with me in the lockerrom and to have Chris Osgood and Kris Draper say Jeff, Jeff drink from the Cup. My 12-year old got to drink too, we were in there for three hours. It was incredible.

In case you missed it, 8:42 p.m. ET
Earl nominee for funniest line from Al Franken, who presented with "Mrs. Rodman," Carmen Electra: Franken said Mr. Rodman passed along a request to kiss his bride.

"He also said I should lick you," said Franken.

Rented? Probably not, 8:38 p.m. ET
Dennis Franz, who awarded the NFL Player of the Year Award by himself (noting that his partners have a knack for dying), was asked the make and model of his suit.

"Ah, Hugo Boss," he said before consulting the label inside his jacket. "Nope, Donna Karan." Funny, probably not -- but anecdotal at least and you wouldn't have gotten it sitting on your couch.

The press has landed, 8:30 p.m. ET
Jeff Daniels took the first wave of the strobes -- which lit up both media rooms -- and he's having no trouble drawing the attention of the media. He's stopped by to say hello to the ESPN.com crowd. Send your questions our way and we'll try and get them answered for you.

Milling in earnest, 8:22 p.m. ET
There is quite a buzz up here (seven stories above the Radio City Music Hall stage) as the assembled press is champing at the bit for its first excuse to fire away with the shutters. There are about 40 media members apiece in two rooms separated by eight-foot black drapes. Entertainment for the folks up here is being provided by the ESPY broadcast -- a significant volume.

They speak ESPY on What, 8:15 p.m. ET
Sam Jackson made his opening remarks -- which included shoutouts to many of the nominees, including Real Quiet and Vicki Morris -- and kicked off the festivities with the words, "Let's deal some ESPYs."

To no one's surprise, 8:07 p.m. ET
Mark McGwire picked up the Showstopper ESPY and was, after his acceptance speech, promtly given a gift from Steve Bornstein -- a display of one of his home runs which is framed by 70 balls, autographed by each of the pitchers he took yard in 1998. If you want to take a look at the gift, have a look at ESPY Photo gallery.

Bryce breaks the ice, 8 p.m. ET
Valpo's Bryce Drew picked up the first ESPY of the night (trivia alert). Maybe you remember his one-timer buzzer-beater in the NCAA Tournament.

An hour to go, 7 p.m. ET
Radio City is surrounded by fans looking for a glimpse of Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Randy Moss, Terrell Davis, Chamique Holdsclaw and the rest of the nominees. The press is mulling about in chilly temperatures awaiting their credentials. Police have the place surrounded with those NYPD Blue barricades.

One limo after another is pulling up to the side entrance of Radio City on 51st Street. The street is closed to traffic and jam-packed with TV trucks and security. These guys are huge. Bouncers in their real jobs, no doubt.

Backstage the press is assembling for post-award interviews. CNN, Regis and Kathie Lee, Access Hollywood are all represented. It's quiet now, but later the winners will be herded through a Q&A with the media, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com as well as those mentioned above. You can hear the cattle call already.