21.   After a sizzling spring training that convinced Manager Joe Torre to make him the leadoff hitter, Soriano has been the most productive player in the American League.

22.   After getting the leadoff hitter, Jon Nunnally, on a called third strike, he walked three consecutive Royals to load the bases.

23.   After an out, Mora, the leadoff hitter, reached on an infield single and went to second on a groundout.

24.   After being rebuffed by their first four choices, the Rangers finally found their center fielder and leadoff hitter yesterday.

25.   After getting leadoff hitter Eric Young on a fly ball to center fielder Wayne Kirby, Nomo walked Quinton McCracken on four pitches.

26.   After the Mets scored a run in the second, new leadoff hitter Eric Young singled to start the third.

27.   Al Martin is the new leadoff hitter.

28.   After retiring the leadoff hitter Luis Castillo, Leiter yielded singles to Alex Gonzalez and Aven, then walked Kevin Orie to load the bases.

29.   After walking leadoff hitter Marvin Benard, Dreifort struck out Bill Mueller to end the inning, but he no longer was dominant.

30.   After whiffing leadoff hitter Roberto Alomar and retiring Edgardo Alfonzo on a sharp grounder that ricocheted off his foot, he tried to be a bit too precise.