WHO'S Hot/WHO'S Not

WHO'S Hot

Ageless Skipper

Frank Robinson, 69, had the Nationals at 13-12 (eight games better than the franchise was last year), is still mixing it up with umps (he got ejected last Saturday) and gets the hero treatment in D.C. Speaking before the Senate Select Committee on Aging last week, he said, "I don't know if I will retire at any time."

24

That's the number on Jeff Gordon's Chevy, which roared to victory at Talladega, then got all the credit: "The car just did anything I asked it to do," Gordon gushed. Could be a good omen for the Jedi, too. Gordon has an image of the mega-movie star of the moment, Yoda, painted on his hood.

Doug Flutie

The Massachusetts schoolboy star (Natick High 1978-81) and the QB who threw the Pass at BC is coming home at age 42. The Patriots signed the spry 20-year veteran, who said he wants to be a "security blanket for the team."

Tim Petrovic

At age 38 he's just getting started. "This was my first win since never," said Petrovic, a former pizza-joint kitchen manager, after sinking 20-foot birdie putt to win the Zurich Classic. Seventeen years into his pro career he snagged $990,000 winner's check while wife Julie and their two girls looked on.

WHO'S Not

Aging Lefties

The Marlins' Al Leiter (39) is winless with a 5.66 ERA; the Mets' Tom Glavine (39) is 1--3 with a 5.67; the Yanks' Randy Johnson (41) lost 2-0 last week, while the Mariners' Jamie Moyer (42) got touched for five runs in 32/3 innings. At least they're pitching; Boston southpaw David Wells (41) is on the DL with a "foot sprain."

17

Unlucky for streakers. Twins mighty ace Johan Santana won that many in a row before losing to Angels on Sunday, and Kim Clijsters had 17 straight match victories before she lost to Svetlana Kuznetsova at the J&S Cup. "It doesn't mean the fun's over," vowed Santana.

Doug Brien

Most accurate field goal kicker in Jets history (83.6%) gets the boot to make room for second-round pick Mike Nugent. Brien, who missed two would-be game-winners in last season's playoffs, told New York papershe wanted to "redeem myself."

John Ruiz

There was injury: The heavyweight's face was badly swollen after he lost his WBA belt by unanimous decision to James Toney. There was insult: "John Ruiz is stupid," Toney opined afterward. And there is no tomorrow: Ruiz has announced that at 33 he's hanging up his gloves.

TWO COLOR PHOTOS

JOHN IACONO (LEITER, RUIZ)

COLOR PHOTO

AL TIELEMANS (BRIEN)

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TONY TOMSIC (FLUTIE)

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HEINZ KLUETMEIER (ROBINSON)