21.   The Pittsburgh Pirates probably were the biggest surprise in baseball last season.

22.   The purchases marked one of the most spectacular baseball seasons ever, as McGwire and Sosa engaged in a jubilantly good-natured race.

23.   The Red Sox had a total of three extra-base hits in two days against the worst pitching staff in baseball last season.

24.   The two best right-handed pitchers in baseball this season will take the mound today.

25.   Tom Kelly has just the place for any of his players who put on displays of just plain bad baseball this season.

26.   Cutting payroll is a priority for the Blue Jays, who had the largest operating loss of any team in baseball last season.

27.   He was suspended from Cuban baseball this season because government officials suspected he wanted to defect.

28.   Most recently, Darryl Strawberry, then with the Yankees, successfully return to baseball last season.

29.   Mattingly recently told the franchise that he was unable to guarantee he would play baseball next season.