11.   As the Yankees prepared to start the season, Darryl did not seem part of the clubhouse banter, as he always had been.

12.   Asked about his ever-improving chances of starting the season in the rotation, Mercker shrugged.

13.   Astro reliever John Hudek is just the fifth rookie to start a season in the minors and still be selected for the All-Star Game.

14.   BKW-REIGN Seattle Reign start their season at Colorado.

15.   Between the humble McGuire and the low-key Holzman, there was a decided absence of ego, just two basketball lifers starting another season.

16.   - An Arizona State basketball team already lacking depth will be further depleted tonight when the Sun Devils start their exhibition season against the California All-Stars.

17.   -- Pitcher Danny Kolb has a partial tear of his right rotator cuff and will start the season on the disabled list.

18.   A former guard who had been suspended for assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Alston started last season and was drafted by Milwaukee.

19.   A humbled Cedeno started the season at Triple-A Albuquerque and quickly got to the business of improving his defense and learning everything he could.

20.   A season that started with the Eagles the top-ranked team in the nation was about to end well short of that.