KAAT'S CAREER ONE OF THE BEST  —  JIM Kaat's 23-year broadcasting career ends tonight with Red Sox-Yanks on Ch. 9.  With his departure, New York loses much more than a calm, clear and wise voice.  —  We lose a noise and nonsense filter, a fellow who never tried to dazzle us, talk down to us …

Tigers claim Stairs off waivers  —  Outfielder/first baseman provides another left-handed bat  —  DETROIT — The Tigers announced on Friday that they've claimed first baseman/outfielder Matt Stairs off waivers from the Texas Rangers, adding another piece for the stretch run to what has been a struggling offense.

Free Agent Compensation Could Be in Jeopardy  —  Once Washington Nationals left fielder Alfonso Soriano becomes the fourth player to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in the same season — he needs just one more stolen base — the attention will likely turn to Soriano's future.

Two Years, 180 Degrees  —  Photographs By The New York Times: Barton Silverman; John Dunn; Suzy Allman; Kathy Willens/Associated Press; Doug Benc/Getty Images  —  On this day two years ago, the Mets' lineup card included Jason Phillips, Eric Valent, Wilson Delgado and Jeff Keppinger.

A BERNING IDENTITY CRISIS  —  BERNIE Williams sought out Joe Torre yesterday to ask his manager if here - less than three weeks until Game 1 of the playoffs - the Yankee manager could explain his role.  —  Torre could not.  He told Williams that, in essence, this is spring training …

Schmidt injury leaves pitching plans uncertain  —  As the Giants headed to the airport Thursday, bound for St. Louis, they did not know if Jason Schmidt, nursing soreness in his upper back, would make his scheduled start tonight.  —  Manager Felipe Alou said the team would wait until today to determine Schmidt's availability.

Reality check: Buck looks a lot like Bill  —  The Rangers' final homestand of the season opened in Arlington on Thursday night.  Only the hardcore will care.  The vast majority will keep going east or west on I-30.  —  Although minimal local baseball intrigue will be involved over the next two weeks …

From the Cubicle  —  Live play-by-play commentary of today's Cubs-Reds game from lonelyguy28932.  —  I'm coming up short on reasons why the Cubs are even still playing.  They've established themselves as the worst team in the National League.  End of story.

ESPN.com  —  It's starting to become a tired refrain each week, but yes, the New York teams occupy the top two spots in ESPN.com's Power Rankings again.  —  But this week we've decided to throw a Trevor Hoffman changeup at you (and no, Hoffman's Padres aren't challenging for No. 1).

Bill Simmons vs. Stephen Colbert  —  Last night, my former ESPN.com colleague - and the Web's most popular sportswriter — Bill Simmons was on "The Colbert Report" to support the paperback release of his book "Now I Can Die In Peace."  —  In the most appropriate homage to Bill …

Let The Madness Begin  —  Before the affiliation shuffle has officially gotten under way, a major alteration could be taking place in the Appalachian League.  —  The Blue Jays have notified the league that they won't be back in Pulaski next year, and they apparently intend to drop …

1 For 1  —  Chuck James is so The Man.  —  With the help of 1 or 2 vital Braves (it's the least they can do) taking advantage of a roster of decomposing Phillies — Randall Simon, Jeff Conine, Jose Hernandez, Jamie Moyer...is that Johnny Callison lingering by the bat rack? — the magic number is 1.

Skipper staying subdued  —  Hurdle spares his young club fire and brimstone … The Rox need a new manager who isn't afraid to chew some tail and light a fire when they aren't performing.  Clint Hurdle is well past his due date!  — Steve, Nashville, Tenn.

MEET THE SPOILERS  —  Ramirez's HR rallies Cubs past Dodgers.  —  NOTEWORTHY PERFORMANCES  —  GOOD  —  Matt Cain continued his dominance in the Giants' 5-0 win over the Rockies.  Cain allowed two hits in eight superb innings to win his fourth straight start.

A Bittersweet Taste of Reality for a Fantasy Baseball Expert  —  The St. Louis Cardinals are stumbling toward the postseason with a patchwork pitching staff.  Their closer, Jason Isringhausen, is out indefinitely with a hip injury, and Mark Mulder, who started the season as their No. 2 starter …

Mets Lobbying to Get Cy Young Votes for Wagner  —  The Mets have gone into promotion mode, lobbying for Billy Wagner for Cy Young.  This E-mail went to at least one voter today.

USC should forfeit the 2004 national crown after reports that Reggie Bush and his family appear to have accepted financial benefits from prospective agents.  —  LOS ANGELES - The would-be agents who provided the house, the money for the tricked-out car, the luxury hotel rooms and the tens …

Harrelson did job perfectly  —  Mentioning Garcia's great effort essential  —  WGN-Ch. 9 and Ken Harrelson weren't about to accept the blame for Freddy Garcia losing his perfect-game bid on Wednesday.  —  There were complaints from some traditionalists that it was the broadcaster's fault …