61.   A late replacement for the ailing Sheffield, who was scratched from the lineup an hour before game time, Leyritz did his best impersonation of the MVP candidate.

62.   A mountain lion had sauntered along the creek just hours before.

63.   A police chaplain awakened Pat and Don Stixrood at their home in nearby Fairview, where their children had been talking and laughing outside just hours before.

64.   About an hour before the game they were chased off by Arizona state troopers and stadium security.

65.   Abdullah was sworn into the job just hours before a feeble Hussein returned hastily to Minnesota for a last attempt at the ill-fated treatment.

66.   About an hour before the game Ward sat at his locker printing biblical references on his sneakers.

67.   About an hour before, the mayor had warned the chancellor by phone about what he planned to say, emphasizing that it was nothing personal.

68.   About half an hour before the game, he reappeared in the tunnel, holding three bats in his right hand, one in his left.

69.   According to Wetherbee, who has logged four missions of his own, the hours before launch often turn into an opportunity for personal reflection.

70.   After a month-long trial in Maricopa County Superior Court, a jury deliberated for half an hour before finding that Ford was not at fault.