Takagi named V-Varen Nagasaki coach

NAGASAKI — Former Japan striker Takuya Takagi will coach promoted J.League second division side V-Varen Nagasaki next season, the team announced on Thursday.

Nagasaki won the Japan Football League, the de facto third division, this year to book a spot in J2 for 2013. The 45-year-old Takagi, a Nagasaki native, managed Roasso Kumamoto of J2 the last two seasons and has been at the helm of Yokohama FC as well as Tokyo Verdy.

"It's a great pleasure to be returning to my hometown, Nagasaki, as manager," Takagi said in a statement. "At the same time, I feel a great sense of responsibility. I hope we can become a source of hope and dreams for the people of Nagasaki Prefecture."

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Orfevre named favorite for Arc after Prix Foy win

PARIS — Japanese equine star Orfevre was promoted to favorite for the world's most prestigious middle-distance race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, after winning the influential Arc trial, the Group Two Prix Foy, at Longchamp on Sunday.

The 2011 Japanese Triple Crown winner — who will bid to end a 32-year win drought for Japan which has seen three of its 12 runners finish in the frame — came home ahead of three-time European Group One winner Meandre in a slowly run five-runner race.

Some bookmakers made him favorite on the back of the win — William Hill makes him 4/1 favorite — but some remained loyal to last year's Arc winner, German filly Danedream, who will bid to become the first horse to land successive Arcs since Alleged in 1978-79.

However, despite the victory leaving some question marks about how it would translate to a far bigger field and a rougher race in the Arc on Oct. 7, the four-year-old colt impressed his rider, 31-year-old Belgian Christophe Soumillon.

"I was very happy with the performance, the pace was a bit slow and he was a bit fresh but I just wanted to keep track of him on his first time at Longchamp," said Soumillon, who has won two Arcs on Dalakhani in 2003 and the remarkable filly Zarkava in 2008.

"In two strides I got exactly what you need from an Arc de Triomphe horse. Its just what you want from a horse three weeks before the Arc.

"Hopefully he can improve a bit as he needs to improve to win an Arc but the trainer has done a perfect job so far."

Zarkava's connections will hope last year's Arc runnerup Shareta emulates her after the latter won the Group One Prix Vermeille — the race Zarkava won in 2008 before winning the Arc — under Christophe Lemaire.

Her victory saw trainer Alain de Royer Dupre extend his record number of wins in the race to seven while owner the Aga Khan was winning it for the sixth time to edge to within one of the record for a winning owner of seven held by the late Marcel Boussac.

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Giants' Utsumi named interleague MVP

Southpaw Tetsuya Utsumi, who helped the Yomiuri Giants end the Pacific League's seven-year stranglehold on interleague championships, was named the interleague MVP on Thursday.

Utsumi, who went 4-0 with a 1.29 ERA in five starts against PL opponents, will receive ?2 million for the award.

Giants teammate Toshiya Sugiuchi and fellow lefty Mitsuo Yoshikawa of the Nippon Ham Fighters each won the Japan Life Insurance award, worth 1 million yen. Sugiuchi threw a no-hitter against Tohoku Rakuten on May 30 and posted a 4-1 interleague record with a 1.76 ERA, while Yoshikawa went 4-0 with a 1.42 ERA.

HIROSHIMA — The Hiroshima Carp announced the signing of 31-year-old first baseman Brad Eldred on Thursday. Eldred, a right-handed hitter, has played a total of 90 major league games since 2005.

The Carp are fourth in the Central League in home runs with 29, but Nick Stavinoha, who leads the team with nine, is out with a season-ending injury to his left knee that will require surgery. Regular cleanup hitter Kenta Kurihara, too, will likely be out until September after having elbow surgery on May 9.

The Carp are fifth in the Central League with a record of 24-31-6, three games back of fourth-place Hanshin. Eldred, who has 251 career minor league homers, has primarily been used as a designated hitter this season, although he has played first base and in the outfield.

The Detroit Tigers released the right-handed hitter, who had a brief stint with the American League club after a torrid spring for Triple-A Toledo. Eldred, who was 3-for-16 with Detroit with six strikeouts, hit 24 home runs in 63 games this season for Toledo.

Eldred, whose contract is for $230,000 plus incentives, will wear the No. 55 that belonged to former CL batting champ Shigenobu Shima before he was traded to the Seibu Lions in March.

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Couples, Price named as captains

DUBLIN, Ohio — The last time Nick Price took part in the Presidents Cup, he snapped a putter over his knee walking off the 18th green after losing a critical singles match in South Africa. He will return 10 years later as captain of an International team that has only one victory in nine tries.

Price, a three-time major champion and among the most popular players of his generation, was selected to be International captain for the 2013 matches. The PGA Tour asked Fred Couples to return as U.S. captain for the third straight time.

"This has been a moment that I've been waiting for an awful long time," Price said. "It's probably the most excited I've been about anything in the last five or six years. This is a huge honor, and I'm very, very excited about it."

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Honda, Kagawa named to Japan squad for international friendly

Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni on Friday recalled CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda and also picked Borussia Dortmund's Shinji Kagawa in a 23-man squad for next week's World Cup qualifying warmup against Azerbaijan in Shizuoka.

Zaccheroni also named Inter Milan defender Yuto Nagatomo and Bolton Wanderers striker Ryo Miyaichi among 10 European-based players for next Wednesday's game, which serves as a tuneup ahead of three final-round World Cup qualifiers in June against Oman, Jordan and Australia in Asian zone Group B.

"This game will give me a good chance to look at the condition of the European-based players and new candidates that are in form in the J.League," said Zaccheroni.

Honda, the driving force as the Blue Samurai reached the second round of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, has not played for Japan since last August, when he scored in a 3-0 defeat of South Korea in a friendly in Sapporo.

He suffered a right-knee injury in a Russian Premier League game against Spartak Moscow later that month and spent a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery in Spain.

"I haven't seen him (Honda) play since August. He is still recovering so I want to have a good look at his condition in training," said Zaccheroni. "If he appears OK, then, of course, I am going to give him a game."

Ariajasuru Hasegawa was handed his first callup and was among four FC Tokyo players, including Japan Under-23 goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda. No players from Gamba Osaka, Cerezo Osaka, Nagoya Grampus or Sagan Tosu were picked as they are involved in J.League action next Friday.

"Hasegawa is doing really well in the J.League and has shown his quality in the middle of the park. I want to see in training if he deserves to play for the national team," said Zaccheroni.

The Italian tactician has also recalled Novara striker Takayuki Morimoto as cover for injured Southampton striker Tadanari Lee.

"He (Morimoto) has been playing pretty well for his club, and with Lee injured and unable to play I have given him the call," said Zaccheroni

Japan takes on Oman and Jordan at Saitama Stadium 2002 on June 3 and 8, respectively, before traveling to Brisbane to take on the Socceroos on June 12. Zaccheroni's men have also been drawn against Iraq in the final round.

The squad:

Goalkeepers — Eiji Kawashima (Lierse), Shusaku Nishikawa (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Shuichi Gonda (FC Tokyo)

Defenders — Yuichi Komano (Jubilo Iwata), Yuzo Kurihara (Yokohama F Marinos), Yuhei Tokunaga (FC Tokyo), Masahiko Inoha (Vissel Kobe), Yuto Nagatomo (Inter Milan), Tomoaki Makino (Urawa Reds), Atsuto Uchida (Schalke), Hiroki Sakai (Kashiwa Reysol)

Midfielders — Kengo Nakamura (Kawasaki Frontale), Makoto Hasebe (Wolfsburg), Hajime Hosogai (Augsburg), Keisuke Honda (CSKA Moscow), Hideto Takahashi (FC Tokyo), Ariajasuru Hasegawa (FC Tokyo)

Forwards — Ryoichi Maeda (Jubilo Iwata), Shinji Okazaki (Stuttgart), Takayuki Morimoto (Novara), Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund), Genki Haraguchi (Urawa Reds), Ryo Miyaichi (Bolton Wanderers)

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Bird named NBA's top executive

NEW YORK — Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird was voted the NBA's Executive of the Year on Wednesday, becoming the first person to win that award, plus the MVP and Coach of the Year honors.

Bird was a three-time MVP as a Boston Celtics player, then guided his home-state Pacers to a 147-67 record in three seasons and their only finals appearance in 2000. He was the Coach of the Year in 1998 following his first season.

He returned to the Pacers' front office in 2003 and became the full-time president in 2008 after Donnie Walsh left.

Bird said in a statement: "This is an honor for the Indiana Pacers, not an award for Larry Bird."

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Cavs' Irving named Rookie of the Year

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Once Kyrie Irving finished cracking jokes, thanking Cleveland's fans, his teammates and coaches, he looked down from the podium at the person who promised this would happen.

Cavalier attitude: Cleveland's Kyrie Irving (right) receives his NBA Rookie of the Year trophy on Tuesday. AP

He was the NBA's Rookie of the Year.

"This award is for us," Irving said to his father, Dred, who raised his son after his wife, Elizabeth, died 15 years ago. "We're bringing it back home and we're going to put it right on the mantle and we're going to put some flashing lights on it so it shines throughout the whole entire house."

This season, Irving shined brightest.

The 20-year-old ran away in voting by a nationwide media panel that could have handed in ballots with two months left in the season. There was really no other choice.

Irving received 117 of 120 possible first-place votes from writers and broadcasters and finished with 592 points, more than three times as many as Minnesota's Ricky Rubio (170), who finished second despite missing most of the season with a knee injury. Denver's Kenneth Faried (129) was a distant third.

Faried, San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard and New York's Iman Shumpert received the other first-place votes, stopping Irving from joining Blake Griffin (2011), David Robinson (1990) and Ralph Sampson (1984) as the only players to win the award unanimously.

Irving played beyond his years and above everyone's expectations — including his own — this season when he routinely took over games in the fourth quarter and renewed the hopes of a Cleveland franchise still putting together the pieces after LeBron James left as a free agent two summers ago.

Irving always felt the award was within his reach.

"It was a goal of mine," Irving said. "I kept it on the back burner. I knew as long as we won games and we beat great teams that it was going to come."

The first pick in last year's draft, Irving led all rookies — and the Cavs — in scoring with 18.5 points per game. He also led first-year players in field-goal percentage (46.8), was second in assists (5.4) and became one of just six rookies in league history to average at least 18 points and five assists.

However, it was the other elements of his game — a nasty crossover dribble, a fearless desire to get to the basket, and a clutch, cold-blooded instinct in the fourth quarter — that separated him from the others.

Cavs coach Byron Scott knew Irving was special long before he made his pro debut.

"The day we brought him in for his individual workout before the draft, I thought he was definitely the best player that we had," Scott said.

Still, Irving's first season, delayed because of the league's labor lockout, began with some doubting whether he was deserving of the top pick or if Cleveland had made a mistake. Irving had played in just 11 games at Duke because of a toe injury.

It didn't take him long for him to show the Cavs made a perfect choice.

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Sawa, Messi named Players of Year

ZURICH — Homare Sawa, the 2011 Women's World Cup Golden Ball and Golden Boot winner, was named FIFA Women's World Player of the Year on a historic night for Japanese soccer Monday.

Athletic and elegant: Nadeshiko Japan star Homare Sawa reacts after being named the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year at an awards ceremony in Zurich on Monday night. AP

Norio Sasaki, who guided Nadeshiko Japan to an astonishing first ever World Cup triumph at last summer's finals in Germany, won the Women's Coach of the Year, while the Japan Football Association also won the Fair Play Award.

Barcelona's mercurial Argentine forward Lionel Messi landed the men's Ballon d'Or award, becoming the first man since former France international Michel Platini to take the title three years in succession, while the Men's Coach of the Year award went to his club coach, Pep Guardiola.

Messi was up against Barca teammate Xavi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo, the 2008 winner, was unable to attend the awards ceremony as Real is in action on Tuesday night in the King's Cup against Malaga.

The 24-year-old Messi won the award after polling 47.88 of the votes, ahead of Ronaldo (21.6 percent) and Xavi (9.23 percent).

"It is a big pleasure to win the third, a big honor. I want to thank the teammates, players and coaches that voted for me," said Messi.

"I want to thank my Barcelona and Argentina teammates, without them this would have been impossible. But most of all, I want to share it with Xavi: you deserve this as much as I do."

Messi, man of the match in the Champions League final in 2011, also won the Primera Division, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup last year.

Dressed in a traditional kimono, Sawa, 33, and the 53-year-old Sasaki were the first Japanese recipients and first Asian winners of their respective awards, picking them up at the star-studded ceremony in Zurich with the cream of the soccer world in attendance.

"It hasn't sunk in yet," said Sawa. "When my name was read out I didn't know what was going on. This award feels so heavy. I wasn't at all confident that I had definitely won it and just wanted to give myself a pat on the back for making it among the three nominees."

"I am so surprised and delighted with this award. I spoke with people at the JFA and came to the conclusion that the kimono represents Japan and was the most suitable attire for tonight," she smiled.

"As the JFA president I feel blessed," Junji Ogura said of the country's hat trick of awards. "Winning three awards doesn't happen very often. Sawa won and Sasaki won, something that no other Asians have done, and this is fantastic. Getting the Fair Play Award is an added bonus."

Sawa beat out five-time winner Marta of Brazil and American Abby Wambach, while Sasaki was named from the coach's shortlist that included Pia Sundhage, whose U.S. team lost to Japan in a penalty shootout in the World Cup final, and France's Bruno Bini.

"I am so thrilled for Sawa," said Wambach. "I think the Japanese deserved all of the awards they received tonight. They were of course the World Cup champions, she was proven to be the best player and I am very proud of her."

Said Platini: "It's good that there is a Japanese woman (winning the award). I think it is possible in the future that a Japanese man could win the award but they will have to win the World Cup first."

Sasaki, who in an inspired piece of sports psychology showed his players footage of the March 11 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami's aftermath before their World Cup quarterfinal and semifinal wins over Germany and Sweden, said, "I am full of gratitude to everyone."

"I was just overjoyed to be able to be here with my family. It was only for a moment but it really hit me emotionally when I got the award. Last year we suffered a disastrous earthquake in northeastern Japan and many, many people in the football family of the world provided such warm support and I would like to thank everyone for their support."

These awards were decided after a poll in which the captains and head coaches of the men's (for the two men's soccer awards) and women's (for the two women's soccer awards) national teams, as well as international media representatives selected by French soccer magazine France Football, voted for candidates in each of the four categories. Each group's votes represented one third of the final result.

LONDON — Thierry Henry made a fairy tale return in his second spell with Arsenal, coming off the bench to grab a late winner in a 1-0 victory over Leeds in the third round of the F.A. Cup on Monday.

The former France striker took the first step in enhancing his already-legendary status at the north London club, side-footing home an angled finish in the 78th minute — 10 minutes after being introduced as a substitute.

The goal, a trademark Henry finish from the left, extended his club-record tally to 227 goals in the first game of his two-month loan spell from the New York Red Bulls.

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Sorimachi named Yamaga coach

Japan's Beijing Olympic coach Yasuharu Sorimachi has been appointed manager of newly promoted J. League second-division team Matsumoto Yamaga, the club announced on Friday.

Nagano-based Yamaga had been searching for a coach to replace Yoshiyuki Kato, who guided the team to promotion from the semi-professional Japan Football League but does not have the required coaching credentials to manage a J. League team.

The 47-year-old Sorimachi has promoted both Albirex Niigata and Shonan Bellmare to the J. League top flight during his career. He left Shonan after the team finished 14th in J2 last season.

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Paceman Harris named to squad for second test

MELBOURNE, Australia — Oft-injured paceman Ryan Harris, added Friday to Australia's 12-man squad for the second test against India, doesn't fancy his chances of cracking the starting 11 that beat the visitors by 122 runs in the first test.

Harris, who is working his way back from a hip injury, will give Australia the option of a four-man pace attack. He replaces left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who was the 12th man in Melbourne, in the only change to the side.

Although the Sydney Cricket Ground has traditionally been a spin-friendly wicket, it may be prepared to suit paceman this time to negate India's strength against spin bowling. If so, Harris could join a four-man pace attack while offspinner Nathan Lyon is demoted to 12th man.

Harris was regarded as Australia's No. 1 fast bowler before his injury absence, but the performances of James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus in the first-test victory have cast doubts on whether Harris can force his way onto the team.

Harris boasts a record of 35 wickets at 21.37 in eight tests, but says he's concerned that his next injury blow could spell the end of his career.

"I'm down the pecking order," Harris said Friday. "It's my fault that I got injured and all I'm trying to do is just get fit and let it take care of itself."

Allrounder Shane Watson has not recovered from a calf injury and will miss the test which starts on Tuesday.

Watson's continued absence ensures the six batsmen from the Melbourne test will be retained, although the strong performances of Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey had already ensured their spots. Wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin is also safe, despite his continued poor form.

Chairman of selectors John Inverarity said the team would take great confidence and momentum into the second test and he welcomed Harris' return to the squad.

"Ryan has had carefully monitored preparation, which has gone to plan," Inverarity said. "Mitchell Starc and Daniel Christian, who were both in the squad for the first test, have been omitted but remain very much in our thinking."

Sachin Tendulkar will again be seeking to notch his record 100th international century when he plays at the SCG. He hasn't scored 100 in a test or one-day match since March, but looked in top form in his first-innings 73 at the MCG before being out for 32 in India's second innings.

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Brady, Rodgers named starting QBs on Pro Bowl rosters

NEW YORK — Tom Brady is one of eight Patriots and Patrick Willis one of eight 49ers to make the Pro Bowl, the most on each roster.

Man for the big occasion: Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers has been named starting quarterback for the NFC in the Pro Bowl. AP

Defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay (14-1), led by starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and Baltimore (11-4), led by veteran linebacker Ray Lewis, have seven apiece for the Jan. 29 game in Honolulu, the NFL announced Tuesday.

Brady is one of seven starters from New England (12-3). The others are receiver Wes Welker, tight end Rob Gronkowski, defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, defensive end Andre Carter, and guards Brian Waters and Logan Mankins all are starters for the AFC from the Patriots.

Special teamer Matthew Slater is the other New England representative.

Linebacker Willis, DE Justin Smith, cornerback Carlos Rogers and tackle Joe Staley will start for the NFC from the 49ers (12-3), who had only Smith and Willis make the Pro Bowl last year.

Green Bay's Rodgers is the starting NFC quarterback, backed by record-setting Drew Brees of New Orleans (12-3).

"It does have special significance, because when I was voted in in 2009, I was the third guy and I was very thankful to be voted in, and got the opportunity to start because of some injuries and guys not going," Rodgers said. "It's great to be voted in as a starter, that means a lot to me and it's a special honor."

Four of the NFL's biggest headline makers this season did not get voted in by players, coaches and fans: Lions DT Ndamukong Suh, Steelers LB James Harrison, Panthers rookie QB Cam Newton, and Denver QB Tim Tebow.

Suh might have lost support after drawing a two-game suspension for stomping an opponent, and Harrison's one-game suspension for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Browns QB Colt McCoy might have reduced his support.

Fifteen first-time Pro Bowlers made the NFC squad, including Rogers, Staley and safety Dashon Goldson of the 49ers. Thirteen AFC players were first-time selections, including Gronkowski, Carter and Slater of New England. Carter is on injured reserve (left quadriceps) and won't play.

"If you look around the NFC, you see a ton of amazing and talented players at tight end," said the Saints' Jimmy Graham, the starter at the position and a first-time Pro Bowler. "And to be thought of in that company by my peers, the head coaches and the fans who follow the NFL is something I take seriously."

Fourteen teams from each conference were represented, with St. Louis (2-13) and Washington (5-10) drawing blanks in the NFC, Buffalo (6-9) and Tennessee (8-7) shut out in the AFC.

Pittsburgh (11-4), New Orleans and Chicago (7-8) each had five representatives.

Three rookies were chosen: Denver linebacker Von Miller, Cincinnati receiver A.J. Green, and Arizona cornerback Patrick Peterson, selected as a kick return specialist. He has tied an NFL record with four punt runbacks for TDs this season.

All the kickers are from Bay Area teams.

NFC special teamers included two 49ers: record-setting placekicker David Akers, and punter Andy Lee; Peterson; and Corey Graham of Chicago.

For the AFC, the Raiders' Sebastian Janikowski is the placekicker, Shane Lechler the punter. The kick return specialist is Pittsburgh WR Antonio Brown, and the special-teams player is Slater.

METAIRIE, LOUISIANA — Although Sean Payton helped Drew Brees become the NFL's all-time single-season passer, the coach isn't divulging whether he'll enable his star quarterback to maintain that distinction.

With 5,087 yards passing after Monday night's victory over Atlanta, Brees enters the final week of the season 190 yards ahead of New England's Tom Brady. Yet the Saints' regular-season finale might not matter in terms of playoff seeding, meaning the more prudent choice for Payton could be to rest Brees for much of Sunday's game against Carolina.

The Patriots, by contrast, must beat Buffalo to ensure they'll have the top seed in the AFC.

Payton says he must consider what puts the Saints in the best position to make a Super Bowl run, and that such decisions are not always popular.

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Jones named new Japan rugby coach

The Japan Rugby Football Union on Monday announced the appointments of Eddie Jones as head coach of the national team and Masahiro Kunda as assistant coach.

Jones took his native Australia to the final of the 2003 World Cup against England and was also on board as technical advisor for South Africa's World Cup-winning campaign four years later.

"I'm very excited and honored to have the job as head coach of Japan," said the 51-year-old boss of Suntory Sungoliath from the Japanese Top League.

"The first thing we're going to have to do is to win. I want Japan to win and be in the top 10 in the world. We need to develop a solid play that suits Japanese players."

Japan, currently 15th in the world rankings, has set two main goals: to break into the top 10 in the world toward the 2015 World Cup in England and to reach the knockout stage of the 2019 tournament as hosts.

"We've got a very big challenge ahead us," Jones said.

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Rodgers named AP's 2011 top male athlete

GREEN BAY, Wisconsin — When Aaron Rodgers needs to rekindle the feelings that drove his rise from a junior college quarterback to Super Bowl MVP, he doesn't have to look too far.

What a ride: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was named the 2011 AP Male Athlete of the Year on Wednesday. Rodgers guided the Green Bay Packers to the Super Bowl title last season. AP PHOTO

Rodgers held on to the many rejection letters he received from marquee college programs as he was coming out of high school. Even today, he leaves a few of them sitting out at his house.

"I chose the couple that I thought were most demeaning to display in a space in my house that really nobody is able to see but myself," Rodgers said. "It's something that I think is important to keep fresh on your mind. Maybe not every day, but once a week your eyes might pan across it and you have a little laugh about the journey you've been on — at the same time, remembering that there still are people out there that you can prove something to."

Good luck finding those doubters now.

Rodgers is the 2011 Male Athlete of the Year, chosen by members of The Associated Press, after he turned in an MVP performance in the Green Bay Packers' Super Bowl victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in February and then went on to lead his team on a long unbeaten run this season.

Rodgers received 112 votes out of the 212 ballots submitted from U.S. news organizations that make up the AP's membership. Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander finished second with 50 votes, followed by tennis standout Novak Djokovic (21), Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton (6) and NASCAR champion Tony Stewart (5).

Rodgers is one of three quarterbacks to receive the honor in the past five years.

The New Orleans Saints' Drew Brees won in 2010 and the New England Patriots' Tom Brady won in 2007.

Rodgers says it still feels "surreal at times" to be considered among the biggest names in sports.

"Those guys are household names, the best of the best," Rodgers said. "(It's) special to win the award, and something I'll remember."

Through 14 games this season, Rodgers has completed 68.1 percent of his passes for 4,360 yards with 40 touchdowns and six interceptions. The Packers are 13-1, and Rodgers' play is leaving people speechless — even his coach, Mike McCarthy.

"I'm running out of things to say about him," McCarthy said earlier this month, after Rodgers drove the Packers into position for a last-second, game-winning field goal to beat the New York Giants.

Green Bay's 19-game winning streak came to an end at Kansas City on Sunday, but the Packers remain a strong favorite to repeat as champions. That's thanks in large part to Rodgers' knack for making big plays without major mistakes.

It has been a long and challenging journey out of obscurity for Rodgers, who wasn't offered a big-time scholarship out of high school and had to play a year in junior college. Then came his agonizing wait on draft day, three seasons on the bench behind Brett Favre and a tumultuous first year as a starter.

If Rodgers' path to stardom had been smoother, he says he wouldn't be the player — or person — he is today.

"It's something that gives me perspective all the time, knowing that the road I took was difficult. But it did shape my character and it shaped my game as well," Rodgers said. "I try and keep that on my mind as a good perspective, but also as a motivator, knowing that it took a lot to get to where I am now and it's going to take a lot to stay where I'm at."

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Nakahata named BayStars manager

Yokohama — The Yokohama DeNA BayStars on Friday announced the appointment of former Yomiuri Giants batting coach Kiyoshi Nakahata as their first manager under the ownership of DeNA Co.

Nakahata took the job that was about to be filled by former Seibu Lions pitcher Kimiyasu Kudo, whose talks with general manager Shigeru Takada broke down earlier this month over the team's plans for 2012.

"I've always wanted to pay my debt of gratitude to baseball by managing," Nakahata said. "The position of manager is the most challenging in the game. I'm just shaking out of excitement."

Nakahata spent all of his 14-year playing career through 1989 with the Giants, hitting .290 with 171 homers and 621 RBIs.

At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, he guided Japan to a bronze-medal finish as acting manager in place of Shigeo Nagashima, who was unable to travel to the Greek capital after suffering a stroke.

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Leandro Domingues named J. League MVP

YOKOHAMA — Attacking midfielder Leandro Domingues, one of the driving forces behind Kashiwa Reysol's historic championship triumph, was named J. League Player of the Year on Monday.

The 28-year-old Brazilian averaged a goal every other game as Kashiwa became the first team to win the title a year after coming up as second division champions.

A first-time winner of the award, he was chosen from 29 nominees voted for by the managers and players of the 18 clubs in the J. League's top flight.

Leandro, who also played a pivotal role in Kashiwa's promotion-winning 2010 campaign, this year made 30 league appearances in a fairy tale season for the Chiba club, scoring 15 goals.

"I want to thank God, and my wife and son who are always by my side through thick and thin," said Leandro, the 11th Brazilian-born player to win the award and first since former Kashima Antlers striker Marquinhos in 2009.

"I want to thank all the Kashiwa Reysol staff for helping make this happen."

Kashiwa's 61-year-old Brazilian boss Nelsinho was named Manager of the Year.

"This is a wonderful night," said Nelsinho. "When I became manager of this club two years ago, the first thing I had to do was talk to the players and instill a winning mentality.

"It is easy to talk about winning but very difficult to actually do, but the players have been switched on and always fully prepared and that has been the key to winning the title for our club for the first time."

Leandro Domingues was joined by three Kashiwa teammates in the Best XI: defenders Hiroki Sakai, voted Best Young Player, Naoya Kondo and midfielder Jorge Wagner.

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Gardow named first coach of Chiba Jets

The Chiba Jets, a bj-league expansion team set to begin play in the fall, have hired veteran American mentor Eric Gardow as their first coach.

The Jets made the announcement on Monday evening, becoming the second of four 2011-12 expansion teams to name a sideline supervisor after the Iwate Big Bulls handed the coaching reins to Greek Vlasios Vlaikidis. The Shinshu Brave Warriors and Yokohama B-Corsairs are expected to name their new coaches in the coming days.

"Today is a great day for me and my family and the basketball fans in Chiba Prefecture," Gardow said in a statement. "I am really excited about moving to Chiba, Japan, and leading the Chiba Jets in (their) first year in the bj-league."

He described this as a "wonderful opportunity," adding that "we are excited to get to work, prepare the team, and compete at the highest level against all of the great talent in Japan."

"I will give it my best and I hope the fans will come cheer for the team," he added.

Gardow, 42, hails from Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Since 2007, he has coached in the Qatar League, first leading the Al Rayyan Sports Club before moving on to the Qatar Sports Club in 2008. He also served as the Qatar men's national team head coach from 2007 to 2008.

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