31.   Never before did a World Series champion have its highest-placing player finish so low and with so few points.

32.   Now the former world road-race champion has his stage victory and on Sunday he will finish the Tour for the first time.

33.   So while Jones may be upset at the mere thought of Griffin, the WBC light heavyweight champion has but one thing on his mind.

34.   Spring training is here and the defending champions have no chance of repeating.

35.   Suddenly, the defending Stanley Cup champions have the home fire stoked again.

36.   The American League champions have spoiled two home-team clinching parties already this month, winning the Division Series in Boston and the AL Championship Series in Seattle.

37.   The bout could not have been more one-sided if the champion had had three healthy hands.

38.   The champion Atlanta Braves had the quietest off season of all.

39.   The champion had a bewildered look as he found his head sticking beneath the lowest rope, his glassy eyes looking directly at a row of photographers.

40.   The champion had a hard time all of Monday evening defending an extremely difficult rook-and-pawn ending, but his sutbbornesss and skill carried the day.