1.   Texas state law does not allow for the substitution of an independent candidate once he has won a spot on the ballot.

2.   As many as five major-league rookies could win spots in the bullpen and starting rotation.

3.   At Harvard he won a spot on the staff of The Harvard Lampoon, a breeding ground for people who later became comedy writers for television.

4.   Authors, agents and publishers often work hard to promote their books in the hopes of winning a spot on The New York Times best-seller list.

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

6.   Billy Swift and ex-Sox lefty Tony Fossas have won spots on the roster.

7.   A former prostitute almost won a spot on the Board of Supervisors.

8.   A little more than a month ago, Reed learned he had won a spot in the rotation.

9.   But clearly, he and the team are hoping he wins a spot in the rotation this spring.

10.   But he has to win a spot in the rotation first.