41.  But he was heartened that the first player to approach him was captain Raymond Bourque.

42.  But if Hulett was the first player to be placed on the disabled list for the death of a child, baseball was setting the precedent with him.

43.  But many thought when Rice returned for his senior season, he would be the first player picked.

44.  But Venus will be the first seeded player she has faced.

45.  But this is the first known player casualty.

46.  By becoming active in various community causes, he was among the first players to help the Rangers develop a strong link with Arlington.

47.  By playing in the Super Bowl, he would become the first NFL player to return to action during the same season he suffered that injury.

48.  Can Pavin stand up to it and become the first American player to win two majors in a year since Tom Watson did it a dozen years ago?

49.  Catcher A.J. Hinch of Stanford is the first player to spend four years on the U.S. senior team.

50.  Casey Martin will make history, becoming the first player in a U.S. Open to compete riding in a golf cart.