31.   But before the Indians played host to the Toronto Blue Jays Wednesday night, Ramirez agreed to an interview and even offered a chair to a reporter.

32.   But Campbell was cleared to play before tipoff, saving the Lakers from a possibly rough night in the frontcourt.

33.   But can he make the transition to a position he never has played before?

34.   But he continued to tour and perform, usually playing before capacity crowds.

35.   But his hands had built a hospital in the African jungle at Lambarene and could play Bach on the organ as perhaps only Bach himself had played before.

36.   But most of those teams played before paltry crowds in high school stadiums with marginally talented Americans, aging foreigners and very few recognizable names.

37.   But in the last several years -- home and away -- Jordan has played before sold-out arenas every night.

38.   But most of their previous games here were played before small, catatonic gatherings as the Mariners went through the motions in yet another forgettable season.

39.   But Nomar Garciaparra, playing before his family and friends from his hometown of Whittier, went down swinging on three blazing fastballs from Troy Percival.

40.   But the Islanders were losing a bundle and played before sparse crowds.