-Is there a worse free agent pickup than Kei Igawa? The Japanese import is just awful. Listening to the YES broadcast make excuses for him is sad. He’s just not good. He can get ahead on any hitter but almost never puts them away. Forget the K/IP ratio which is highest on the Yanks. If this guy puts any runners on base, it usually turns into a circus.

Look no further than last night’s 7-0 loss at Kansas City. Igawa is brutal from the stretch. So if he’s got two out in the inning, why pitch from it if it affects his pitches which tend to go up and get crushed? That’s something maybe Yankee brass would have to explain. Sort of like the $46 million GM Brian Cashman gave this guy for two wins, a 6.79 ERA and 15 home runs allowed in 12 games (11 starts). As it turns out, even Hideki Irabu would’ve been a better option.

-Somehow, you just knew Michael Strahan would pull another selfish stunt like not reporting to Giants camp because he’s “considering retirement.” Sure. It’s all about the $$$. He and Tiki Barber have a lot in common. Both great Giants but the most selfserving stars you could have. As productive as they’ve been on the field, both have been nothing but headaches for Big Blue. If I were GM Jerry Reese, I’d tell Strahan to go take a hike. Enough’s enough.

-If you’re a Mets fan and worried about the fact your team hasn’t pulled away from the Braves and Phillies, the past few days are a reminder why you shouldn’t be overly concerned. The Braves split back-to-back four-game series against the struggling Cardinals and the hapless Giants.

Meanwhile, the Phillies who looked on their way to a sweep of the Nationals and a fifth consecutive win brought in the washed up Jose Mesa and watched him serve up a go-ahead three-run homer in the eighth to lose a game they led 5-1 7-6. Oh btw, they also lost their best player in second baseman Chase Utley to a broken hand. He was hitting .336 with 17 home runs and 82 RBIs. We’re talking about the frontrunner for the NL MVP here. And it just goes to sum up Philadelphia’s lousy luck. No wonder they’re the only sports franchise that’s lost over 10,000 games.

You look at both the Mets’ closest rivals and see holes along with inconsistency. The Braves have Bob Wickman closing games and he’s been about as automatic as Armando Benitez was in Queens. Atlanta’s pen hasn’t been the same since Mike Gonzalez was lost for the season. Philly’s pen is even worse. When push comes to shove, will either club make the necessary move(s) to upgrade in four days at the deadline? You know Omar Minaya will do something. And he’s got more to work with. That’s why you got to like the Amazin’s chances to repeat in the NL East.

-Now that Moises Alou is back, is he going to put on his cape? Just wondering.

-If David Beckham can make more sports fans care about soccer, then it’s worth it for the L.A. Galaxy and soccer in the United States. But is there any way ESPN could stop overdoing things when he’s about to take the field? That’s asking a heck of a lot from a network that takes it so self so seriously that they’re airing these preposterous Who’s Now contests. Better hurry and vote! You wouldn’t want to miss who wins in this Bracket Challenge!
-What happened to Mike Coolbaugh could’ve happened to many players or coaches who play ball. It’s the risk they take when they’re out on the field. It’s an awful way to go. You can’t help but feel sorry for his family who won’t ever get to see him again.

-The same could also be said for Wake Forest basketball coach Skip Prosser who passed away from a heart attack at the age of 56 yesterday while jogging. He was a very respected coach who ran a solid ACC program. Now he’s gone.

Both tragedies make you realize how unfair life can sometimes be. God bless their families.