OK, I just realized what you guys were talking about regarding "broken/missing" apps.
If you root, whether it's full-root or just Root Part 1, and don't install a rooted rom, you will have issues.
I'm willing to bet that when you guys tried rooting and didn't see apps in the marketplace, you were still on the same rom.
There is a rooted version of the Sprint rom that can be used if you're not interested in using a custom rom, or if you're happy w/ the stock rom.
Basically, rooting the phone w/o flashing a rooted rom (even if you just flash the rooted Sprint rom) will break the Marketplace.
Mystery solved.
