Second choice not tops  —  Mixed reviews on Igawa after so-so effort against major leaguers  —  OSAKA, Japan - As the hype surrounding Daisuke Matsuzaka has escalated, many teams were beginning to believe that the Hanshin Tigers' Kei Igawa might be a more attractive pitching option.

Suspended Mota still might be in plans for pen  —  The Mets still have significant interest in re-signing Guillermo Mota, despite last week's revelation that the reliever will miss the first 50 games of 2007 after failing a test for performance-enhancing drugs.

Managerial Search Continues  —  There is, perhaps, but one thing that is clear about the Washington Nationals' search for a new manager: It knows no bounds.  When Stan Kasten, the team's president, first addressed the search for Frank Robinson's replacement five weeks ago, he pledged that it would be "thorough."

Pitcher of the year?  In KC?  —  A few years ago a reporter told me a story I've since forgotten.  Along the way, though, he mentioned that he had covered the Great Alaska Shootout and he had to vote for a first and second all-star team.  This haunted me for weeks — this idea that there was a second-team All-Great Alaska Shootout.

Cockrell a hit with Rockies  —  When Alan Cockrell lost the Rockies' hitting instructor position after a five-month stint during the 2002 season, he headed 63 miles down Interstate 25 to take over as boss of the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox offense.  Four years later …

Former star pitcher Johnny Sain dead at 89  —  DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. (AP) — Johnny Sain, a three-time All-Star who teamed with Warren Spahn to make up one of baseball's most fabled pitching tandems, died Tuesday.  He was 89.  —  Sain's best year was 1948, when he and Hall of Famer Spahn led …

Rangers study satanic verses  —  In the Broadway musical Damn Yankees, Joe Boyd sells his soul to the devil in exchange for the slugging home run hitter that his favorite team, the Washington Senators, so direly needs.  —  In the Arlington soap opera known as the Texas Rangers, brace yourself - the devil is on the shopping list.

Mailbag: In defense of Crede  —  Beat reporter Scott Merkin answers fans' questions … Could you explain to me why the Gold Glove is a popularity contest?  Defensively, Joe Crede was the best third baseman in the American League, not Oakland's Eric Chavez.  — Lawrence, Indianapolis

Shalala apologizes for UM fans' behavior  —  In the wake of last month's UM-FIU brawl, another embarrassing situation at the Orange Bowl has prompted another apology from University of Miami president Donna Shalala.  —  Quarterback Kyle Wright's father, Ken, said Shalala called him Monday …

Reyes walk-off HR completes MLB sweep of Japan  —  FUKUOKA, Japan — Jose Reyes hit a walkoff, two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th inning Wednesday to give the MLB All-Stars a 5-3 victory over the Japan stars and a sweep of the five-game series.  —  Bill Hall singled before Reyes homered …

Colletti announces staff reorganization  —  Dodgers general manager hires special assistant  —  LOS ANGELES — Ned Colletti, almost one year after being named general manager, apparently has finished the reorganization of his staff with the announcement Tuesday of several promotions and the hiring of a special assistant.

Report: Gooden scheduled to be released from prison  —  GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Former baseball star Dwight Gooden is set to be released from prison Thursday after finishing a sentence for violating his probation by using cocaine.  —  "He's eager to get home and see his family again," …