1.   His season was marred by the frustration of trying to return from back surgery.

2.   Lamont, whose White Sox teams have finished first the last two seasons, has had both seasons marred by different developments.

3.   Privately, studio executives said the holiday season was marred by several strategic mistakes.

4.   Too bad such a riveting season was slightly marred by a surprisingly uninspired season finale that left too many loose ends dangling.

5.   Unlike some of the grim games that have marred this season, the players seemed to be having a little bit of fun while entertaining the capacity crowd.

6.   But last season also was marred by rumors of bad blood between Coughlin and Brunell.

7.   Sampras was devastated by the discovery that coach Tim Gullikson has a brain tumor, and his clay court season was marred by an ankle injury.

8.   Simtek only entered Formula One last year but their debut season was marred by tragedy when Roland Ratzenberger died during qualifying for the San Marino Grand Prix.