Who's Hot - Who's Not

WHO'S HOT

Phoenix
That comeback over the Lakers isn't all. The D-Backs, getting one (Brandon) Webb gem after another, won seven of eight to move near the top of the NL West. And the NFL's Cardinals, set to play in a new stadium in suburban Glendale, are feeling the love for selecting Matt Leinart (left), selling more than 1,500 season tickets since draft day.

Joe Torre
Nice numbers, Skip. The manager won his 1,000th game as a Yankee (one of four to do so). He also had his star-laden team in first and got props from the Boss: Said George Steinbrenner, "[Joe] knows how to lead."

Ilya Bryzgalov
One, two, three straight playoff shutouts for the hard-to-beat, hard-to-pronounce Mighty Ducks goalie (it's brihs-GAH-lahf). After blanking Colorado Sunday, the Russian rookie was asked how he felt. "I feel normal," he said.

Sorianos
Alfonso (right) is quietly (!) flashing power (nine homers) and speed (six SBs) for the Nats, while live-armed Rafael, a closer-in-waiting, has struck out 23 in 17 2/3 innings for the Mariners.

WHO'S NOT

Los Angeles
That collapse against the Suns isn't all. The Dodgers were scuffling near the bottom of the NL West, while the AL's Angels (they claim to be from L.A. too, remember?) had lost eight of 10 and strugglers like Casey Kotchman (above, battling mono, batting .158) had them 24th in runs scored. Hitting coach Mickey Hatcher: "It's ugly right now."

Allard Baird
Nasty numbers, man. In five-plus years as Royals G.M. he's 375-561. That includes 7-22 this year. His trades have bombed, prospects in his pipeline are few, and owner David Glass says he's on the verge of a shake-up.

Bob Baffert
One, two, three chances to win the Kentucky Derby, but none of the trainer's entries finished higher than ninth, and Bob and John (right) slunk in 17th. Observed Baffert, "We weren't going to beat the winner today."

Zambranos
Hard-luck Cubs ace Carlos is winless in seven starts despite leading the National League in strikeouts. Harder-luck Mets starter Victor is out for the season with a torn tendon in his pitching elbow.