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Post by Flying Horse on Sept 21, 2011 17:20:52 GMT -5
MLB 1. A.L. race rages, but Yankees stay above it.
The New York Yanakees have higher priorities on their agenda than helping their old "friends", the Botson Red Sox, to hang on to their wild-card spot. Today, they have clinched a spot in the playoffs with their last night 5-0 win last night over Tampa Bay behind a superb performance by the rookie right-hander Ivan Nova (looks like he'll be their No. 2 starter) and today's 4-2 win in the first game of a doubleheader against the Rays. The Yankees are now 6 1/2 games ahead of Boston for the winning of American East division. Depending on what Boston does tonight, they could be down to a magic number of one.
2. In baseball's Bronze Age, statues are becoming bigger part of landscape
Rob Warnock lingered last week in the shadow of a striking bronze sculpture just outside Turner Field. He had been assigned to hand out Braves tickets for his company’s employee-recruitment gathering at that night’s game, and, thinking about where to rendezvous, had said to his boss, “Which gate?” “Why don’t you just meet them at the Hank Aaron statue?” came the reply. Statues, though hardly a new phenomenon at baseball stadiums, are now popping up all over. Some 70 former players have been immortalized, several this season. The latest is Johnny Bench at Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park, who said he was delighted at the depiction of himself rising out of a catcher’s crouch and erasing a base-stealer. The sculptors, many of whom grew up cheering for their subjects, say baseball was the sport best suited for statues. “This is their way to get close to these players, to admire excellence,” said Zenos Frudakis of Philadelphia, who created the four Phillies statues. “They add a history point,” said Lou Cella of Chicago, who is responsible for White Sox and Cubs renderings, including the midsummer arrivals Frank Thomas and Ron Santo. “They are ways for people to consistently remember who these guys are. It’s the grandfather telling his grandson, I saw him play.” Harry Weber, credited with all but one of the 11 player castings in St. Louis, said, “Baseball lends itself to the personality of the individual,” making it easier to differentiate the athletes than in other sports. He has captured the power of a Bob Gibson pitch, the range of a Ozzie Smith catch, the form of a Lou Brock at-bat. Because the voice of a franchise can also become its face, numerous TV-radio announcers are bronzed: Harry Caray in Chicago (Cubs), Ernie Harwell in Detroit, Harry Kalas in Philadelphia and, in Seattle, Dave Niehaus, who died last November and whose statue ceremony took place last week. “In some subliminal way, the announcer becomes like a family member,” said Larry Nowlan, who sculptured Kalas, a Phillies announcer for 38 years, until his death in 2009. “Players don’t stay around long enough.” Total cost for a statue, which Weber estimated at $90,000 to $150,000 for life-size renditions, rises exponentially with each additional inch. Some are paid for by the club; others are financed by donations or fund-raisers. Some sculptors rely on images of players from photographs and video. Others are grateful for honorees willing to pose for them in the wrinkled flesh. I think this is getting a little out of hand but it is certainly a bonanza for sculptors. But I still think I perfer the Yankees monument park with bronze plaques on the wall.
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Post by Flying Horse on Sept 21, 2011 17:34:55 GMT -5
MLB St. Louis Cardinals
Rested Mets can't cool off Cardinals After their series win in Atlanta helped the Cardinals crawl within striking distance of the wild card-leading Braves, the Mets took a pummeling, 11-6, in St Louis last night. The Mets' work has not had much meaning lately, besides extracting satisfaction in the role of playoff spoiler. They played that role to fine effect over the weekend, taking two out of three games against Atlanta. Until recently, the Cardinals were not a team with playoff hopes to be spoiled. But there they were Tuesday, back home after a scintillating trip, beaming about their recent form. The Cardinals entered the series having won 10 of their last 12 games, and with the help of the Mets, were just two and a half games behind Atlanta in the wild-card race. Their victory Tuesday, coupled with the Braves’ victory over the Florida Marlins, kept things as they were. For the Cardinals, there has been plenty of fun lately. As recently as Aug. 26, they were 10 ½ games behind the Braves. It appeared then that they would close out the season answering questions about next year — like where Albert Pujols, who will be a free agent, would play, or if La Russa, whose contract expires after this season, would return. But their recent surge has put those questions on the back burner. While matchups against the Mets, the Chicago Cubs and the Houston Astros mean the Cardinals have an easier schedule than the Braves, who finish the season at home against the Phillies, La Russa said his team was extremely wary of the team in the opposing clubhouse. “The Mets are going to have all of our concentration,” La Russa said. “I guarantee you, the Mets will be ready to compete for three days. There’s no doubt in our minds.” ???So, IIF, are the Cards going to do it? Hmmmm?
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Post by Flying Horse on Sept 22, 2011 9:55:38 GMT -5
MLB
Doubts gone, NY Yankees take title in East.
Jose Posada, pinch-hitting in the 8th inning, drove in the winning runs. The Yankees, who were widely predicted to finish behind the Boston Red Sox, won yesterday's doubleheader (4-2, 4-2) with the Tampa Bay Rays with late rallies to capture the American League East title. With the Red Sox in the throes of a collapse, the Yankees won the Division title with ease, brushing side all competitors to win their 12th division crown since 1996 (Their 17 Division Titles is an all-time best for MLB.). “It’s not often that we’re considered the underdogs, but I understood it with the moves that they had made,” Yankees Manager Joe Girardi said, and then added, “But this is a special group. This is a group that knows how to win.” It appears that the Red Sox did not share in that knowledge.
NY Mets dream about next year and alterations to Citi Field.
One day after General Manager Sandy Alderson provided reporters with indications that the Mets would make significant changes to the dimension of Citi Field, he enlightened the men who will play there next season. “I think any time you talk about making a park more hitter friendly, the hitters are going to be on board with that,” David Wright said. “It’s nice to have a front office that recognizes the situation and tries to correct it. That’s obviously greatly appreciated.” Alderson and his staff have pored through copious amounts of data, culled from three years of the play at the stadium, to determine what changes might be most beneficial for the team. He presented those numbers and an array of alterations to a group of Mets players Wednesday. Whatever changes the team makes are bound to help the hitters because the park is a nightmare for them now.
In the American League, look out for the Angels. Dan Haren’s start ended after he was hit by a line drive on the final out of the eighth inning, Peter Bourjos and Vernon Wells homered, and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Blue Jays, 7-2, in Toronto on Wednesday night, closing within two and a half games of the Boston Red Sox in the American League wild-card race. “We’ve put ourselves in a position where if someone stubs their toe, we’ve got a chance,” Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said. Haren was examined by Blue Jays doctors. X-rays were negative. Haren allowed one run and four hits over eight innings for his first road victory since winning at Detroit on July 30. Bourjos had three hits, including a solo shot in the third, and came within a double of the cycle. So watch out Boston and Tampa Bay. There's a new boy in town who just might beat both of you.
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Post by Flying Horse on Sept 23, 2011 15:07:58 GMT -5
MLB
1. From cruise control, a shift to panic mode in Boston and Atlanta.
If the Red Sox and the Braves continue their late-season descents, this September could produce two historic collapses. For the Boston Red Sox, the failures of the last week have amounted to some grim theater - Josh Beckett, their best pitcher beaten up by the Oriles (eliminated from meaningful competition months ago). ns it's not any prettier for the Atlanta Braves. Their rock, 3rd baseman Chipper Jones (future Hall of Famer) lost a ball in the lights before Omar Infante (a former teammate) hit a 2-run game-winning homer for the lowly Florida Marlins off the Braves sterling rookie reliever, Craig Kimbrel Watching teams - good ones, even great ones - losing night after improbable night when the games matter most , can be ghoulishly riveting. This year, no team, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, has ever squandered what Boston and Atlanta are close to giving up: leads of eight or more games in the race for a spot in baseball’s postseason in the final month of the season. For fans who hang on every pitch, teams losing their grip on a playoff spot seems to happen in slow motion. Still, the slow torture has not completely extinguished what passes for faith. Andrea Walker, a lifelong Bostonian, was distraught with the Red Sox, but continued to wear her cap defiantly Thursday. “You have to be a real fan,” she said, “not a fan of opportunity.” Mark Foster, a longtime Braves fan from Roswell, Ga., said he had not given up yet. But recent losses to the sub-.500 Marlins and Mets were distressing. He will show up to the last home games of the season. “I’m an optimist, I think we can do it,” he said. “But I’m not going to lie and say I’m not scared.”
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Post by Forever Sunshine on Sept 23, 2011 15:48:35 GMT -5
Thoughts and prayers to the family.
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Post by Flying Horse on Sept 23, 2011 20:15:15 GMT -5
Former Ravens tackle Orlando Brown dead at 40 Police and fire officials say former Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Orlando "Zeus" Brown has been found dead at his Baltimore home. He was 40. The cause of death isn't known. Fire spokesman Battalion Chief Kevin Cartwright says firefighters were called about 11 a.m. Friday because Brown was unresponsive at his home near the Inner Harbor. Cartwright says Brown was dead when firefighters arrived. Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said firefighters called police, a routine procedure in such cases. He said there were no signs of trauma or suspicious activity.
Brown began his career with the Cleveland Browns in 1993 and played twice for that team, as well as the Ravens, ending his NFL playing days in 2005. He started 119 of his 129 games. Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who signed Brown as an undrafted rookie in Cleveland in 1993, released a statement saying, “Orlando improved as a player as much as anyone I have ever seen, as he went from being a defensive lineman at South Carolina State to becoming one of the game’s top offensive tackles.”
Brown was sidelined by an accident on Dec. 19, 1999, while playing for the Browns in a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. When the referee Jeff Triplette tossed his flag, weighted with BBs, it struck Brown in the right eye, missing his helmet’s face guard. Brown walked off the field, but furious, he returned and shoved Triplette to the turf. The league suspended him indefinitely for assaulting Triplette but lifted the suspension after it was found that the flag had temporarily blinded Brown. The Browns released him in 2000. He in turn sued the NFL for $200 million, saying the flag incident prematurely ended his career. According to reports, he settled for a sum between $15 million and $25 million in 2002. R.I.P. Orlando Brown.
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Post by Flying Horse on Sept 24, 2011 14:49:13 GMT -5
SPORTS
NFL: Worst kind of prospect brings best kind of passion.
Before Mark Herzlich became the linebacker who overcame cancer, he was another football prodigy with a familiar dream. At high school in a Philadelphia suburb, he was the prototypical all-American boy. The first time he played in a varsity uniform, he was the leading linebacker by the end of the opening quarter. The first time he took a handoff, he ran 95 yards for a touchdown. He led his team to two league titles. His teammates unanimously voted him captain. For college, he chose Boston College and was a starter by the end of his first season and the ACC defensive player of the year by his third year. But then there was this increasing pain in his left leg, the diagnosis and the invasive realities of treatment. Herzlich’s battle with Ewing’s sarcoma caused him to miss the 2009 season, but he returned for his fifth year at B.C., playing just 10 months after surgery to remove the tumor in his leg. He led the Eagles on to the field for the season-opening game against Weber State, recording five tackles to resounding cheers. He started all 13 games. He won an ESPY award for Best Comeback. Then came the NFL draft and no phone call. However, it turns out that the Giants had a list with his name at the top. But because of the labor situation couldn't contact him. But Jerry Reese the GM and John Mara, the team's co-owner and Boston College grad were interested. “It just, to me, was a no-brainer,” Mara said. He made the team as backup linebacker and special team player. “Right now, we look at him as just a football player,” Giants Coach Tom Coughlin said recently, “because that’s what we do. Coughlin continued, "But let’s be honest, you can’t ever forget what he’s done, either. You can’t. It’s just an incredible, incredible story.” It is also a story Herzlich believes is not nearly over yet.
Cycling: Danger at Every Turn as Ccling's Fast Lane Becomes Faster. When the Belgian cyclist Wouter Weylandt was killed in a crash during the Giro d’Italia in May, the commemoration began immediately. Each rider wore a black ribbon, and Weylandt’s initials and race number, 108, were painted across the remaining finish lines and appeared at the bottom of the official results with the slogan Always With Us. But four months later, as the world championships in Copenhagen and the cycling season wind down, the eulogies have faded. And after dismissing Weylandt’s fatal crash as part of cycling, neither the International Cycling Union, the sport’s governing body, nor the organizer of the Giro has conducted a formal investigation. The police inquiry focused on criminal liability and found none. Weylandt was the 10th professional cyclist to die in a crash during a road race since Fabio Casartelli, an Olympic gold medalist, was killed at the Tour de France in 1995. Most of the other deaths, with the exception of Andrei Kivilev’s during the Paris-Nice season opener in 2003, came in less prominent races and attracted relatively little attention. The growing danger in professional cycling is not limited to fatalities. The sport does not keep accident statistics, but riders and cycling officials agree that the number and severity of race accidents have escalated significantly in recent years. In a bid to slow auto traffic, towns, cities and villages throughout Europe have narrowed roads near their entrances, added speed bumps and introduced islands and traffic circles. In the Giro, Pinotti and Lewis came around a corner on a descent and struck a small metal pole on an island in the middle of the road. Expanding race fields have compounded any problems on the courses. Until the 1980s, about 130 riders, and sometimes as few as 100, raced in major events like the Tour de France. Today, 200 is more the norm. In a group that large, Lewis said, most of the riders in the pack are effectively blind to road hazards and must rely on shouted warnings from those at the front. And the fields are made up of higher-caliber racers who have increased race speeds. Better training, stricter entry rules and generally higher salaries mean that little separates the fastest and slowest riders today. More often than not, it takes a major mountain or other significant obstacle to break up the pack of 200. And in a sport in which two years counts as a long-term contract and employment is always uncertain, few riders are likely to challenge their bosses’ orders. That uncertainty also lies behind the reluctance of most riders to speak up about the dangers in their sport. Privately, some say that airing their concerns is likely to make them less attractive to employers. HTC-Highroad, the American team that employed Pinotti and Lewis, is closing down at the end of this season after failing to find a new sponsor. Lewis is one of two riders on the team still without a contract for next year; Pinotti signed with another American team. This year's Tour de France had an unusual number of casualties in cluding one caused by a driver of one of the media cars whoooo sideswiped a cyclist. One team, Radio Shack, lost several of its top competitors in the first couple of days. I don't know what the solution is but I would have though that a cyclist's death would have cause people to take a look at the whole issue.
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Post by Flying Horse on Sept 24, 2011 15:56:57 GMT -5
Tee time: Pres. Obama plays gold with another first duffer, Clinton. Perhaps it's moments like these that lend people to say that some of life's greatest problems are solved (or at least discussed) on the golf course. Pres. Obama teed off in a foursome at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington that also included hiss chief of staff, William Daley, and longtime Clinton adviser Doug Band.
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Post by Flying Horse on Sept 25, 2011 19:00:06 GMT -5
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Post by Flying Horse on Sept 26, 2011 16:30:28 GMT -5
SPORTS
1. After long hours, Red Sox keep slim lead. 1st game: Yankees 6-2, 2nd game Red Sox 7-4 in 14 innnings.
In the first game of a day-night doubleheader, A.J. Birnett turned in an amazing perrformance, but in the 2nd game, the Red Sox finally won in 14 innings with a three-run homer by Jacoby Ellsbury, their centerfielder. It was his third home run of the day having hit two solo homers in the first game. Manager Joe Girardi rested four of his starters in each game but they all played hard. As Girardi said, “Our guys play the game with a lot of pride, and our guys play the game the right way...That’s what they’re supposed to do.” For the Red Sox, the win helped them avoid a three-game sweep at Yankee Stadium and kept them from falling into a tie for the A.L. wild-card berth with the Rays, who beat Toronto on Sunday afternoon, 5-2. The Rays close the season with three games against the Yankees, while the Red Sox finish with three in Baltimore. In the west, Angels' playoff chances fade with a 3-run lead blown in the 9th. With three games remaining, the Angels find themselves without any margin for error after a 6-5 loss to the Oakland A;s. They are 3 games behind the Red Sox for the American League wild card and so their chances remain slim (an probably none) to make the playoffs. I'm sure that the Yankees are happy to have them virtually eliminated and not have to make that trip back and forth to the west coast. GO YANKEES!!
2. Dream game for receiver; dream victory for Giants.
A year ago Victor Cruz was an undrafted free agent receiver, a week age he was just one of many backup receivers competing for playing time. Today, however, he's a star, cataching two TD passes as the NY Giants stunned the Philadelphia Eagles 29-16 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Giants were under collective pressure after faltering late against the Washington Redskins before beating the St. Louis Rams in underwhelming fashion in Week 2. Facing Michael Vick and the Eagles’ “dream team,” as Vince Young called them, the prospect of a 1-2 start to the season was real. Of course, by day’s end — with Vick nursing a broken right hand and the Giants ahead in the standings — the hype only served to make the final result sweeter. “They can continue being the dream team and keep dreaming,” Giants running back Brandon Jacobs said. Despite the proximity (he grew up in Paterson, N.J.), his family and friends did not come to watch the game in person, viewing it instead on television. That meant they missed seeing a performance that Cruz hopes is only the beginning. “I’ve been patient for a long time, and now I believe I can make a real impact,” Cruz said. “I just needed a chance.”
3. At 3-0, Buffalo Bills go from AFC's near-worst to first.
The Bills are being led by their Harvard-grad QB, Ryan Fitzpatrick (27-40, 369 yds, 2 TDs, 2 INTs) to a 3-0 record so far and like his coach, Coach Chan Gailey, prefers this to being reminded how the Bills were affectionately called 'lovable losers' a year ago. "'Lovable winners' is more like it," Gailey said today. The Bills have gone from being the NFL’s last team to win a game following an 0-8 start last season, to being the AFC’s only remaining unbeaten team this year. And they’re winning in dramatic fashion, overcoming a 21-point deficit to beat New England 34-31 on Sunday, making the Bills the NFL’s first team to rally from 18 points down and win in consecutive weeks (last week vs. the Rams). They also broke their 15-game losing streak vs. New England. And they’re doing it with eye-popping numbers. The Bills’ 113 points lead the NFL as they prepare for their next test at Cincinnati (1-2) on Sunday. GO BILLS!!
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Post by Flying Horse on Sept 26, 2011 20:35:18 GMT -5
Buffalo Sabres assign 14 to Rochester For the first time since 2007, Sabres prospects hit the ice for the start of Rochester Americans training camp. Head coach Ron Rolston put his players through practice on Monday afternoon and a handful of fans were present to witness the re-birth of the Sabres / Amerks affiliation. The Sabres assigned 14 players to Rochester - among them are highly regarded forwards Marcus Foligno and Zack Kassian. Also designated for Rochester was a former Amerk, Michael Ryan. Ryan resigned with the Sabres after spending parts of the last three seasons with Carolina, Columbus, and Philadelphia. Rochester opens the season at Hamilton on October 8th.
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Post by a on Sept 28, 2011 11:07:24 GMT -5
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Post by Flying Horse on Sept 28, 2011 16:26:38 GMT -5
And Tampa Bay / Boston Red Sox. I say Tampa Bay and St Louis Cards win.
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Post by a on Sept 28, 2011 16:28:29 GMT -5
And Tampa Bay / Boston Red Sox. I say Tampa Bay and St Louis Cards win.
That's what I'd like to see.
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Post by Flying Horse on Sept 28, 2011 16:55:41 GMT -5
Well, the Yankees are playing their Triple A lineup tonight. They're resting all the regulars including pitchers for the playoffs. Some Bostonians are grousing about it - handing Tampa the game. But I say if Boston hadn't collapsed and played lousy baseball for the past month there wouldn't be any problem. Boston would probably be doing the same thing! So blame the Red Sox not the Yankees.
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Post by Flying Horse on Sept 28, 2011 18:21:18 GMT -5
Hmmmm, I don't know what Girardi was talking about. The game is starting out with the entire regular Yankee lineup. Maybe they'll only be batting for one run through the lineup?
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Post by Coldwarrior on Sept 28, 2011 19:55:10 GMT -5
At the moment the Tigers are behind Cleveland 3 to 1. They are behind but aren't losing. They have come back from certain defeat this season with regularity. The Tigers have to win this game and Texas to lose to play either Boston or Tampa. Otherwise they play the Yankees in the first round. They can beat the Yankees, Tampa scares me. The Tigers took the last series Tampa 3 games 1 but they could just as easily gone 0 and 4. Tampa is a really good team with quality pitching. If they get on a roll they will be trouble for any team. The Yankees have to beat Verlander, and Fister, the best and lately a better pitcher than Verlander. Then they have to beat each of them twice to win. With Cabrerra followed by Martinez and Avila, the center of the Tigers batting order leads the league and the bottom of the batting order also leads the league. And the rest of the line up is pretty good too. Any of them can hit a homerun. Jim Leyland also has the luxury to load the lineup with left handed batters for Yankee stadium or left handed pitchers. Not sure if they allow a DH in the World Series but that's what Victor Martinez plays. He has been limping all season with a bad leg. So he probably would only be used as a pinch hitter in any game without a DH. That's a problem. The best idea for the all star game was the winning league has the home field advantage in the World Series. I presume that applies to the rules as well. If so, Victor will be the DH and make the opposing pitchers pitch to Cabrerra. They would rather walk him but life doesn't get easier with him on base. Wait till you see Austin Jackson, the centerfielder who replaced Curtis Granderson in center field. Granderson is a great player and I was in shock when the Tigers sent him to the Yankees but Jackson has made a lot of people forget about Curtis. He threw a guy out from centerfield with a strike to catcher Avila that hit the center of Avila's glove without a hop. He covers center field as well or better. He is the leadoff batter and gets his share of hits with an occasional home run. This will be a great series but it's the Tigers winning it in SIX.
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Post by a on Sept 29, 2011 7:38:04 GMT -5
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Post by Flying Horse on Sept 29, 2011 8:39:50 GMT -5
CW--I agree with everything that you say about the Tigers and I really wanted to Yankees to start off against the Rangers, but unfortuantely, the Tigers didn't wind up with the 2nd best record in the league. And so tomorrow the Tigers come to Yankee Stadium and then we shall see who comes out on top. Don't forget to thank the Yankees for Jackson. And since Granderson just won the AL RBI title, I think the Yankees did all right on the deal. Jackson was the top players in the Yankee minor leagues system and many clubs wanted him but the Yankees refused to give him up until the Tiger deal. So it was a win-win situation all around. Frankly, I think the Tigers-Rangers-Yankees should watch out for Tampa Bay. They have the best overall pitching and that 3rd baseman should be outlawed!! His two homers in the 8th inning and in extra innings won the wild card for the Rays.
IIF- -I'm sorry but I think I'm going to be rooting for the Brewers.
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Post by a on Sept 29, 2011 9:05:28 GMT -5
That's okay, I'm pulling for Tampa in the AL!
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