31.  Galante will serve as interim manager beginning tonight, when the Astros host the Atlanta Braves.

32.  He became interim manager when Ray Harford resigned last October.

33.  He spoke with Tracy and interim general manager Dave Wallace earlier in the day.

34.  Hoffman has received high marks from many in the organization, most notably Tom Lasorda, who was bumped Friday from interim general manager to senior vice president.

35.  If they had continued and attempted to hire a replacement for interim general manager Dave Wallace during the season, it would have been a fruitless endeavor.

36.  In a telephone interview Sunday, Steinbrenner played down the Irabu brush fire and said Don Zimmer, the interim manager, can use any pitcher he wants Wednesday.

37.  In only his second game standing in for the ailing Tom Lasorda, Los Angeles Dodgers interim manager Bill Russell was faced with his first muddled decision.

38.  In the meantime, though, interim general manager Dave Wallace and his top assistant, Dan Evans, will evaluate trade options.

39.  Interim general manager Frank Zaccanelli, firmly entrenched in and embracing a job he claims to have no desire or experience for?

40.  Interim general manager Mike Port was in the clubhouse when Hershon looked at Henderson.