Who's Hot / Who's Not

WHO'S Hot

David Beckham
Recalled to England's national team, the rejuvenated soccer god celebrated by leading Real Madrid to 3--1 win. Hollywood is waiting—Becks starts play for the L.A. Galaxy in July. Meanwhile, said p.r. guru Max Clifford, playing for England could net Beckham (above) $100 million in endorsements. Said Clifford, "He's the golden boy again."

Nationals
Yep, you read that right. Talk of the Nats threatening baseball's worst-ever record has evaporated with team's 12 wins in 17 games. Helped by some sweet strokin' (six straight 10-hit games), they're even eyeing a move out of the NL East cellar. First-year manager Manny Acta: "Everything is clicking."

Rory Sabbatini
What's he been doing lately? The 31-year-old won a playoff at the Crowne Plaza Invitational (a $1.08 million payday), and two weeks after he said Tiger Woods is "more beatable than ever," the world's No. 16 player (left) has plans for next year: "To get to Number 1."

Ichiro Suzuki
A streaking Mariner! The spray-hittin' outfielder had hit in 20 straight games through Sunday, lifting his average to .339. And the man knows how to make a milestone special: He played his 1,000th big league game last week—and homered in it.

WHO'S Not

Kasey Keller
Longtime U.S. goalkeeper and four-time World Cupper is now a bench warmer. Understudy Tim Howard was given the No. 1 job for the U.S. heading into next month's CONCACAF Gold Cup. Worse news abroad: Keller (above), who'd wanted to stay, was let go by his German team, Borussia Moenchengladbach, after it slipped to the second division.

Astros
Aren't they a contender? Not right now, they aren't. Eight straight losses had Stros falling toward the NL Central cellar. They'd been outscored by, brace yourself, 66--16 in that time, and even ace Roy Oswalt is getting pounded. Manager Phil Garner: "We've had an absolutely awful, rotten, no-good, lousy week."

Chris Gardocki
What had the punter done for the Steelers lately? Not enough. The former Pro Bowler, who's never had a punt blocked in 16 years, averaged a league-low 41.3 yards per punt last year. That got him cut by Pittsburgh—a month after it drafted a punter.

Richie Sexson
A sinking Mariner. The 6'8" first baseman (left) was hitting .185 and had one homer in 16 games. And he really knows how to crash: He got knocked over at first by Royal Tony Pe�a Jr., who was safe on the play. "I'm fine," Sexson swore afterward.