MLB completes sweep with walk-off  —  FUKUOKA, Japan — In the United States, it has become universally known as the walk-off homer.  Here in Japan, the adjective they use for a game-ending blast is "sayonara".  —  On behalf of all the Major League All-Stars who wreaked havoc here for the past week …

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.

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.

New York Yankees  —  Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel.  All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible.

Garciaparra 'open' to third, outfield  —  Whether he returns to the Dodgers or joins another team, first base is not necessarily the first option for Nomar Garciaparra.  —  The Dodgers on Tuesday signed utility infielder Ramon Martinez to a one-year contract worth $800,000 …

Notes: Nationals dismiss Paciorek  —  Color analyst and former Major Leaguer says he will retire  —  WASHINGTON — Tom Paciorek said Tuesday he was told by Mid-Atlantic Sports Network that his contract will not be renewed as the Nationals' color analyst.  —  Paciorek, who teamed with play …

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.

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 …

THE NEWBERG REPORT — NOVEMBER 7, 2006  —  I still remember my immediate reaction in 1995 when I heard that the Cowboys had signed Deion Sanders.  It wasn't that Prime Time's arrival would result in a shutdown of the opponent's go-to receiver or would give Dallas a weapon on punt returns.

Padres trade Barfield for Cleveland prospects  —  The Padres have ignited the hot-stove season Wednesday, trading second baseman Josh Barfield to the Indians for highly regarded Triple-A third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and Triple-A pitcher Andrew Brown.  —  Barfield, 23, gave the Padres …

Red Sox don't exercise their option on Foulke  —  On a day Theo Epstein listed a closer among the needs of the Red Sox as he heads into next week's general managers meetings in Naples, Fla., Epstein announced the team was not exercising the $7.5 million option on Keith Foulke …

Phils essentially held hostage by Burrell's no-trade clause … PHILADELPHIA — Phillies general manager Pat Gillick is quite nimble for a 69-year-old.  Just think of all the hoops he jumped through before dealing Jim Thome and Bobby Abreu, high-profile players with big salaries and complete no-trade clauses.

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 …

Under The Knife  —  The Dick Martin Award for 2006  —  It's exciting to me that teams now wait for the Dick Martin Award.  I have received e-mails and calls not only from teams, but readers and listeners wondering just how the award came out this year.  I'm even more excited that the DMA …