51.   Altoona, ranked fourth nationally, opened its season with a pair of lopsided victories.

52.   Always possessing above-average arm strength, Lopez made his defensive strides last season with improved technique.

53.   An eight-time All-Star, Chelios is in his seventh season with the Chicago Blackhawks after spending his first six full seasons with Montreal.

54.   An inning later Sheffield belted his fifth homer of the season with two runners on.

55.   Amtrak has worked out ski-train agreements this season with Hunter Mountain and Ski Windham, resorts in the Catskill Mountains.

56.   An eight-year National Hockey League veteran, Billington spent last season with the Boston Bruins, serving mostly as a backup to Bill Ranford.

57.   And before the Astros even play a game in the second half, they can chalk up one of their biggest wins of the season with his return.

58.   Anaheim Angels left-handed pitcher Mark Langston will miss the rest of the season with recurring problems in his pitching elbow, the team said.

59.   Anaheim forward Paul Kariya, who missed most of last season with a concussion, has not been gun shy in his return this year.

60.   And a rookie whom Parcells had plans for, Casey Dailey, is also out for the season with a broken foot.