41.   He received a silver stick from owner Ted Leonsis in recognition of that record in a pregame ceremony Tuesday.

42.   Home run king Hank Aaron threw out the first ball, a one-hopper to the plate during pregame ceremonies.

43.   In a pregame ceremony, McDyess was presented with a ring for his role with the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic basketball team.

44.   In Cleveland, Sandy Alomar Jr. hit two home runs after Cleveland raised their AL Central division flag in pregame ceremonies.

45.   In a pregame ceremony, Guerin received the Seventh Player Award, voted by fans for performing beyond expectations.

46.   In the pregame ceremony at Yankee Stadium, players from both teams lined the baselines side-by-side with city rescue workers during patriotic songs.

47.   In their four games, the Canadiens have waited through four pregame ceremonies.

48.   In what will certainly become a ritual throughout the second half of the season, Ripken was honored by the Braves in a pregame ceremony.

49.   Just two days after homering in the All-Star game, Baltimore third baseman Cal Ripken was honored by the Braves in a pregame ceremony.

50.   Messier, who started at center, certainly enjoyed the pregame ceremony in which he was introduced last, cloaked in shadow and smoke.