Wakamatsu hired by Seattle

In this March 13, 2007 file photo Texas Rangers third base coach Don Wakamatsu winds up to throw in batting practice at baseball spring training in Surprise, Ariz. Wakamatsu will be named the new manager of the Seattle Mariners. A source familiar with Wakamatsu and the Mariners' search for their 13th full-time manager said Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008 that Wakamatsu is the choice. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)

Don Wakamatsu became the first Asian-American manager in major league baseball history when he was hired Wednesday by the Seattle Mariners.

Red Sox trade Coco Crisp to Royals for reliever
The Kansas City Royals picked up the leadoff hitter they had been seeking, acquiring center fielder Coco Crisp from the Boston Red Sox for reliever Ramon Ramirez on Wednesday. Kansas City was 12th among 14 AL teams in runs last season and added power last month, obtaining first baseman Mike Jacobs from Florida.

Bucs place Graham on injured reserve
Tampa Bay Buccaneers leading rusher Earnest Graham will miss the rest of the season after injuring his right ankle during last week's victory over the Minnesota Vikings.

Childress: Allen fined 25K, but not suspended
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen will not be suspended for a spate of late hits.

Yao out with sore foot
Houston Rockets center Yao Ming will sit out Wednesday's game against the Dallas Mavericks with a sore left foot.

Lawyer: 3 Saints took no steroids
The lawyer for three New Orleans Saints players facing suspension said Wednesday the NFL's independent drug adminstrator acknowledged he did not inform NFL players that the supplement StarCaps contained a banned diuretic.

River City Rumble? Williamson wants Childress
Former first-round draft pick Troy Williamson never really got along with coach Brad Childress in Minnesota.

Oakland owner: Make 1st round of playoffs 1 game
Lew Wolff has a way to shorten baseball's postseason: Make the first round best-of-one.

LPGA offers 31 tourneys in '09, down from 34
The LPGA Tour will offer three fewer official events in 2009, the latest result of the global economic downturn and its effect on pro sports.

Maradona starts as coach with 1-0 win at Scotland
Diego Maradona made his debut as Argentina's coach Wednesday, his team beating Scotland 1-0 in an exhibition game in the stadium where he scored the first goal of his extraordinary international career.