WHO'S Hot WHO'S Not
WHO'S Hot
Philadelphia
They've got the first-place Phillies, and they've got the Soul. The Arenafootballers are 12--3, have scored 933 points (that's mad, even by AFLstandards) and, led by receiver Chris Jackson (above, the guy has 48 TDs!), arenearing a National Conference title. Coach Bret Munsey to South Jersey'sCourier-Post: "I'm just so proud.... They play 100 miles per hour on everyplay."
Curlin
Horse of the Year! Again? The 2007 winner has kept his flawless form in '08,dominating the Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs three months aftercruising in the $6 million Dubai World Cup. That's $9.36 million in careerwinnings (third alltime) and, perhaps, a showdown with Big Brown at theBreeders' Cup.
Dady
Seizing his moment. The mononymical striker (O.K., it's Eduardo FernandoPereira Dady, but no one ever calls him that) scored on a penalty shot onSunday—yep, Daddy's Day—as Cape Verde Islands won 1--0 in a 2010 World Cupqualifier. Dady's team is now 2-0-1 trying to reach its first Cup.
Holly Holm
The Preacher's Daughter (her nickname, and it's true) will punish you for yoursins. Ask middleweight Mary Jo Sanders (25--1), whom Holm (22-1-2) bullied for10 rounds to win the IFBA title.
Kansas City
They've got the last-place Royals; they've got the last-place MLS Wizards("The league is too good," griped coach Curt Onalfo, after amistake-filled loss); and they've got the Brigade. The AFLers are 3--12 afterblowing an 11-point, second-half lead to L.A. on Sunday. That puts new QBQuincy Carter (above, remember him, Cowboys fans?) at 0--2 since coming onboard.
Bailey
He keeps getting creamed. Reds righthander and 22-year-old superprospect HomerBailey lost his third straight start since being called up from Triple A. Now areturn to the minors may be in the offing. Bailey's ERA is 8.76, and his nameis looking apt: He's allowed six homers in just 12 1/3 innings.
Petr Cech
Blowing his chance. Had he led the Czech Republic to the Euro soccer title, itmight've been renamed the Cech Republic. Instead the goalie let in three goalsin 15 minutes—one after fumbling a cross—as Turkey won 3--2. A month ago Cech,tending for Chelsea, lost the Champions League to Man U.
Brad Penny
Maybe the MRI he was to have on his shoulder will explain his five straightlosses. After falling last Saturday, the Dodgers' putative ace offered his twocents' worth: "I'm not doing the team any good."
SI PLAYERS MLB POLL
Who is the most overrated player in baseball?
Derek Jeter, Yankees SS 10%
Barry Zito, Giants P 9%
J.D. Drew, Red Sox OF 7%
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees 3B 7%
Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox 1B 4%
FAST FACTS
Players couldn't vote for a teammate.... Jeter was second, Rodriguez first, inlast week's poll, "Whom would you pick to build a team around?"... Nineof the top 16 vote-getters play for the Red Sox or the Yankees includingBoston's Curt Schilling (9th, 2.5%) and Daisuke Matsuzaka (15th, 1.6%), and NewYork's Johnny Damon (11th, 2.2%), Carl Pavano (14th, 1.7%) and Jason Giambi(16th, 1.5%).
[Based on a survey of 495 MLB players] • For more onthe poll, and to comment on it, go to SI.com/players.
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HI BLOMQUIST/AFL/GETTY IMAGES (CARTER)
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BRADLEY C. BOWER/REUTERS (BAILEY)
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JOHN HARDICK/ZUMA PRESS (HOLM)
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CHUCK SOLOMON (JETER)
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JOHN BIEVER (ZITO)
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STEVE CRISP/REUTERS (CURLIN)
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BOB DELORENZO/AFL/GETTY IMAGES (JACKSON)