21.   After four losses to start the season, Arizona has won six of nine, including five of seven at home.

22.   After several months of waiting, I got the job in late summer, just in time to start cross-country season.

23.   Broten started the season with the New Jersey Devils and had a falling out there.

24.   But in narrow victories over McNeese State and Wyoming to start the season, Slocum saw way too many blown assignments, mental mistakes and lackadaisical efforts.

25.   But manager Johnny Oates is already working out alternative rotation plans to start the season.

26.   But Parker told him that there would not be a player in better shape to start the season and that once Coates did arrive, he would work zealously.

27.   But not on their best player, Jason Allison, who starts the season a restricted free agent and is demanding a trade.

28.   But when Testaverde returned to start the season, Rison went into a deep freeze.

29.   But will either starter be effective enough to start the season?

30.   Butler, who went home to Atlanta on Tuesday, appears ready to start the season.