81.   As long as his pitchers have good mechanics, are pitching aggressively and stay healthy, Contreras believes they will be more efficient when the regular season begins.

82.   As spring training grinds to a finish and players begin to look forward to the regular season, the play becomes more a bit more lethargic.

83.   As devastating as he was during the regular season, he was even better in the postseason.

84.   As shameful as it was, that episode is forgivable in the regular season.

85.   As the Cactus League competition nears its halfway mark, managers still find major decisions awaiting them, decisions that could significantly impact the regular season.

86.   As good as Maddux had been in the regular season, he had been that bad in the NLCS.

87.   As the regular season comes to a conclusion and the wild-card race tightens, Portugal understands this is not the time for heroics.

88.   As the regular season, like the fan base, dwindles, it is still possible to find something upon which the rare Sonics fan can hang a hat.

89.   As the regular season came to a close Sunday, the Sonics won the Pacific Division title on the weight of a brick.

90.   As the regular season makes the turn for home, that may be the greatest obstacle standing between Dallas and an unprecedented Super Bowl three-peat.