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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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.

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).

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.

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …