21.   Alou was one of the three major free agents the Marlins signed last winter in an attempt to become a contender and lure fans back.

22.   Although the Mets lost their ace, Mike Hampton, to free agency last winter, the biggest problem has been at the plate.

23.   Also, all airline shares were affected by windfall profits from the expiration last winter of a federal passenger tax, which Congress is now moving to restore.

24.   Although the Marines continued to tout the merits of the Osprey throughout last winter, civilians at the Pentagon were paying attention to the unfavorable reports.

25.   American Home warned against the combination as early as last winter.

26.   American diplomats acknowledged this past week that the offer presented to Milosevic was more forthcoming to him than one that he had rejected last winter.

27.   Analysts say it has become increasingly clear that the economy has pulled back from what many regarded last winter as the brink of recession.

28.   Amy Whitley, a second-grade teacher in Springfield, Mo., asked her doctor last winter about Relenza, an inhaler for flu symptoms advertised on television.

29.   An experiment last winter in which the blended flour was quietly introduced in scattered neighborhoods produced few if any complaints, officials now insist.

30.   And he said his pregame statement would be his last one regarding the hateful diatribe of last winter.