41.   Some might call it a dubious distinction, but Major League Soccer has beaten Major League Baseball to the punch on contraction.

42.   Sorry, Michael, my status as your elder dictates that your claim to that dubious distinction can be no better than second.

43.   Terry Labonte inherits the dubious distinction of being the best driver on the circuit who still is waiting to win at Daytona.

44.   That dubious distinction has to go to Chicago Bull DENNIS RODMAN.

45.   That remark earned you a place on the AFL-CIOs dubious distinction list.

46.   The Achuar hold the dubious distinction of having had, in recent generations, one of the highest murder rates on Earth.

47.   The bank-laden Topix holds the dubious distinction of worst-performing index in the world so far this year.

48.   The courageous decision leaves the United States in a dwindling company of democratic countries with the dubious distinction of executing their citizens.

49.   The Coyotes, who tied for that dubious distinction with the New York Islanders.

50.   The cut gave Massachusetts the dubious distinction of being the first state in years to be denied matching funds from the federal Student Incentive Grant program.