1.   Barthez won his spot over the veteran goalkeeper Bernard Lama, who like Barthez, served a several-month suspension after testing positive for marijuana.

2.   A free voice-mail system is now available to anyone with the patience to listen to advertising spots over the phone.

3.   Burba still will likely win the fifth spot over Hideki Irabu.

4.   Coach Mike Gillespie said Lunetta could return to his second-base spot over the weekend.

5.   He said he believes that Bates could win a roster spot over a first- or second-year player.

6.   He was released, and Salaam won the starting spot over fellow rookie Jose Portilla.

7.   I have a fat spot over there.

8.   Just why the birds prefer one spot over others is not known.

9.   Major will try to recoup in the coming months by putting Blair on the spot over cutting taxes, law and order issues and school choice.

10.   Rogers has cemented the small forward spot over struggling Lamond Murray.