Who's Hot/who's Not

WHO'S Hot

Texas Rangers

They can hit (their 258 RBIs trail only Yanks and Red Sox in AL). They can field (league-low 25 errors). And--gasp!--they can pitch (4.35 ERA is second best in AL West). That adds up to an eight-game winning streak for a team that knows how to harness its heat. Starter Ryan Drese and catcher Rod Barajas brawled in the dugout, then collaborated on a 4-3 victory. Said manager Buck Showalter, "I'd rather have that than, 'Ho hum, who cares?'"

Argentina

No American male reached the fourth round at the French Open, but six of the 16 men who did were from Argentina--and Guillermo Canas and Mariano Puerta made it to the quarters. In the NBA, Manu Ginobili (page 48), pride of Bahia Blanca, soared through the playoffs.

Johnsons

The Yankees' Randy beat the Red Sox; the Tigers' Jason beat the Orioles for the second time this year; Nick leads the Nationals with 28 RBIs; Reed's hitting .312 for the Blue Jays; and Dan (A's) and Kelly (Braves) made their big league debuts.

Coach Browns

As Pistons battle Heat, Larry Brown is rumored to be taking over the Cavaliers' front office. (As what? Vice president of LeBron?) His coach could be Pacers associate Mike Brown. Then there's Texas football's Mack Brown, whose school spent big to get him star assistants. AD DeLoss Dodds told the San Antonio Express-News, "I want Mack to have the best coach at each position."

WHO'S Not