Who's the boss of bosses? (cont.)  —  Here are the best of the rest ...  2. Billy Beane, A's.  He was offered the Red Sox job before John Henry and Lucchino “settled” for Epstein.  He's nearly as smart as they say in Moneyball — smart enough to realize it's now time to rebuild.

Mailbag: The underdog stops here  —  Reporter Noble answers Mets fans' latest questions  —  I grew up a Mets fan and enjoyed the years of being the underdog.  Part of the excitement of going against powerhouses like the Yankees, Red Sox and Braves was the feeling of good vs. evil; us, a bunch of stragglers, vs. them, the evil empire.

Notes: Wright keeps eyes on prize  —  Superstar minimizes offseason distractions to keep edge  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Perhaps more than any Mets player, David Wright has embraced New York City's glitz and glamour.  His smile already plastered on billboards and subway cars throughout the five boroughs …

Family affair: Bret is latest Boone to join Nationals  —  VIERA, Fla. — Bret Boone came out of retirement to sign a non-guaranteed, minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on Monday, joining his younger brother, infielder Aaron, and their father, assistant general manager Bob, with the club.

Notes: Nats interested in Perez  —  Free-agent lefty could be signed, compete for rotation spot  —  VIERA, Fla. — Nationals general manager Jim Bowden has often said, “You never have enough pitching.”  According to a baseball source with knowledge of the situation, Washington …

Andy Pettitte just made himself a role model.  (w/ audio)  —  Andy Pettitte stuck his hand out to shake mine after one of the toughest hours of his life.  I said the first thing that came to mind.  —  “You're a role model,” I told him.  “I don't know if you were a role model before, but you're a role model now.”