BRIEFLY TIGERS ADD HERO GIBSON TO STAFF.

Byline: - Daily News Staff and Wire Services

The Detroit Tigers, looking for more leadership, added Kirk Gibson to manager Alan Trammell's staff Tuesday as a bench coach.

Gibson, who won World Series rings with the Tigers and the Dodgers, signed a three-year deal with the team.

The Tigers also have hired former Detroit catcher Lance Parrish as bullpen coach.

--The New York Mets confirmed owner Fred Wilpon has spoken with Mariners president Chuck Armstrong to request permission to talk with Lou Piniella about filling their managerial vacancy.

--The Chicago White Sox invoked a contract clause that drastically reduces Frank Thomas' base salary to $250,000, clearing the way for the two-time MVP to become a free agent.

--Former major leaguers Sandy Alomar, Jamie Quirk and Dave Collins were hired as coaches for the Colorado Rockies.

BOXING: Heavyweight contender and 1996 Olympic bronze medalist Duncan Dokiwari is scheduled to headline a five-fight card at the Irvine Marriott tonight when he takes on Tali Kulihaapi in an eight-round bout.

Dokiwari (19-1, with 16 knockouts) burst onto the scene in 1997, knocking out his first 10 opponents, including nine in the first round. After suffering his first loss in 1999 to former IBF No. 1 contender Fres Oquendo, losing a six-round unanimous decision, Dokiwari rebounded with three more victories before being inactive for nearly three years due to managerial problems.

Dokiwari resumed his career last July and has scored four victories this year. The fight with Kulihaapi (10-2, 6 KOs) will be Dokiwari's second in less than a month. He knocked out Armando Rodriguez in the second round in September.

The first bell is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and $35. For more information, call [phone].

FOOTBALL: Jim Brakefield, an expert on the wishbone offense when he was head coach at Wofford and Appalachian State, and a mentor to current Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry, has died at age 83.

SOCCER: Joe Cannon of the San Jose Earthquakes won the award as Major League Soccer Goalkeeper of the Year, posting eight shutouts in 26 games this season.

Cannon led the league with 13 victories and a 1.10 goals-against average. He had 100 saves.

Carlos Bocanegra of the Chicago Fire, a former UCLA standout, was selected as the Defender of the Year, and midfielder Chris Klein of the Kansas City Wizards is the Comeback Player of the Year.

--Manchester United captain Roy Keane was suspended for five games and fined a record $234,000 after he was found to have deliberately tried to injure a player in a Premier League game two seasons ago.

The Football Association determined the Irish midfielder was guilty of bringing the game into disrepute for saying in his autobiography that he deliberately set out to injure Manchester City's Alfie Inge Haaland.