HOT | NOT

HOT: ALAMEDA MADNESS

Mocked here seven weeks ago, the A's (51--44) are cruising—but barely. They swept the Yankees in four games, each by one run (something no team had ever done to New York) and lead MLB with 11 walk-off wins. All of this comes, remember, with the next-to-lowest payroll in baseball: $55.4 million.

NOT: LIONS: OH, MY!

The Lions released CB Aaron Berry (below) after he was arrested for the second time this month and charged with simple assault for allegedly brandishing a gun. His was the seventh arrest for a Lion this off-season, including two each for DT Nick Fairley and RB Mikel Leshoure.

HOT: ROSES BLOOM

Pete Rose (below) got his own reality show, on TLC. But don't worry; he swears "it's not going to be classless." (One rumored story line has Rose's fiancée, a former Playboy model, getting a breast reduction.) Also: Bulls PG Derrick Rose, who tore his ACL in April, says he plans to return to the court soon.

NOT: HOUSTON, PROBLEM

Losers of six straight with just two wins in July, the Astros (34--62 and a -107 run differential) are the worst team in baseball—again. To break it down: Houston is three games over .500 at home but an awful 10--41 on the road, and that 0--9 record in extra-inning games really isn't helping.

HOT: BRITISH INVASION

It's European soccer's (very short) off-season, and EPL stars are everywhere: Around New York City, Chelsea stretched in Central Park and Spurs striker Emmanuel Adebayor took the train to a Red Bulls game; and at the British Open, Man City's Carlos Tévez caddied for friend Andrés Romero.

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IAN HODGSON/DAILY MAIL/ZUMAPRESS.COM (TÉVEZ)

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BOB LEVEY/GETTY IMAGES (ASTROS)

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ROBIN MARCHANT/WIREIMAGE (ROSE)

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TOM DIPACE (BERRY)

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D. ROSS CAMERON/MCT/ABACAUSA.COM (A'S)