MLB

The death certificate for former New York Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu has been filed in Los Angeles ... in which his official cause of death is listed as "hanging ... self-inflicted with rope."

42-year-old Irabu was found dead in his California home last month.

According to the certificate, the Japanese-born ball player was married at the time of his death. He also had two children.

Former New York Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu was found dead yesterday in his California home -- and law enforcement sources tell TMZ, it appears he committed suicide by hanging himself. We're told a friend found him.

L.A. County Coroner is still trying to locate next of kin.

Hideki played for the Yankees, Expos, and Rangers -- last pitching in the big leagues in 2002. He won World Series rings with the Yanks in 1998 and 1999.

Irabu was 42.

Story developing ...

We know it's a stretch to think a guy who hit 36 homers in '97 and then 66 in '98 was doing more than eating his Wheaties -- but that's exactly what a new report is alleging.

Legendary Chicago Cub Sammy Sosa is now accused of testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug in 2003, according to the New York Times.

A total of 104 cheaters -- including A-Roid -- failed that fateful round of '03 tests, back when there was no penalty for first-time use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The list, which the MLB sealed but never destroyed, was recently seized by the Feds in order to investigate how so many drugs were making their way into clubhouses.

In 2003 Alex Rodriguez posted high marks on nearly every important test: MVP, American League home run title, and ... anabolic steroids!

According to a Sports Illustrated report, A-Rod joined the ranks of 104 other MLB players that year who also tested positive. But back in '03 there were no penalties for a positive result.

For now, there has been no comment from A-Rod, the Yankees or the players union.

Madonna has been flaunting boytoy Jesus Luz all over NYC –- and her other, slightly older boytoy, Alex Rodriguez, reportedly ain't happy about Madge's swingin' ways.

"It's embarrassing for him because he and Madonna have been so publicly linked," says a source of Frostytips to the NY Daily News. "And now it looks like he's been dumped for a younger stud." But amusingly enough, says the source, Madonna is telling A-Rod it's a "publicity trick" to take the heat off their own romance.

In the documents, filed today in Miami, Cynthia says she's exhausted every effort to salvage the marriage. Alex has "emotionally abandoned" his wife, leaving her with no choice but to divorce him.

She says the marriage is "irretrievably broken" because of Alex's "extra-marital affairs and other marital misconduct." Note she said affairs -- plural.

She's seeking primary custody of the couple's two girls, Ella and Natasha, as well as child support to "maintain the existing lifestyle of the children." That includes life and health insurance and private school.

Cynthia says her man, a "prominent athlete" with "substantial earning power," has the "fiscal capacity to continue his high style of living" but she does not -- hence she's asking for alimony. She is asking to keep their $12 million, six-bedroom estate in Coral Gables, Fla. (and everything in it), as well as her sweet ride -- a Maybach.

She's also asking A-Rod to pay off their debt, as well as her attorney's fees.

The papers mention that a prenup was signed before the couple married in November 2002. Earle Lilly, one of Cynthia's lawyers, told TMZ last night it's too early to know if they will challenge the prenup. A lot is on the line, because A-Rod is reportedly set to rake in $445 mil over the course of his career.