WINNERS JOHN THAIN

The former boss of the NYSE is named top dog at embattled Merrill Lynch.

PATRICK GOTTSCH

Founder and president of RFD-TV inks Imus to TV deal, prompting millions of Americans to say RFwhat?

JEFFREY ZASLOW

Reporter for The Wall Street Journal pens story on dying professor, gets book offer of at least $6.7 million.

LOSERS MITCH CAPLAN

Look out below! E*trade CEO gets caught in subprime tornado, sees shares, company reputation take a beating.

STEVE SCHWARZMAN

Blackstone Group CEO keeps disappointing investors in the private equity group by missing Wall Street estimates for earnings.

HOWARD SCHULTZ

Starbucks says traffic in stores has slowed and expansion rate will cool, leaving its chairman feeling like a drip.