Yardbarker: Tom Gorzelanny

Jeff Andrews and Lou Frazier Fired

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:45:04 -0500

Well, that didn't take long. A real shocker considering this was the man behind the staff that walked more men than we thought possible, had a horrible 5+ ERA, and was more interested in uttering "Hi Teke!" than discussing strategy on his first postgame FSN interview of the year (I always remember that when Teke comes on after every game). On a baseball note, we saw improvement from Duke and Maholm under him, but at the cost of massive regressions by Snell and Gorzo, plus pretty much the entire bullpen. Bottomline: he probably deserved to be fired, so yay Huntington.

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Lou Frazier was the first base coach and outfield instructor. Not sure what's up with that.
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I owe this from yesterday's recap, for the last time in at least 176 days...

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:39:55 -0500

The Pirates dove head-first into off season changes today, firing pitching coach Jeff Andrews, Jeff Andrews' designer glasses, and first base coach Lou Frazier. The Andrews firing isn't all that surprising considering the staff finished with an ERA of 5.08, third worst in the game, and walked 657 batters, second worst behind the Baltimore Orioles. [...]

GameDay #158 at Brewers--ALVAREZ SIGNS. No, Really. He Actually Signed.

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 20:56:00 -0500

UPDATED 6:39 PM FROM [DEJAN]

MILWAUKEE -- It is official. Contract signed. Grievance done.

All over, except for playing baseball.

Gorzo goes to the 60-day-DL to make room on the 40-man, and Pedro will go to the FLA Instructional League "this weekend."
HALLELUJAH!

Back to the GameDay...

Pirates (65-92) at Brewers (86-71)
8:05--Miller Park, Milwaukee
Paul Maholm (9-8, 3.68) vs. CC Sabathia (15-10, 2.85)
[Preview]
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Last year's Pirates won 68 games. That was the most since 2000. Sitting at 65 with five games left, the Bucs need to go 3-2 to tie that mark and 4-1 to eclipse it. Will they do it? Does anyone care?
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Another meaningless goal: Paul Maholm needs to win tonight to become the only 2008 Pirate to achieve 10 wins. Usually staff aces are in the hunt for 20 wins. I wonder if any other teams in the majors this year are without a 10-win pitcher. Last year, Gorzo was in the hunt for 15, so we aren't always this bad.
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Nonetheless, Paul has been a stud and tonight is his last outing of the year. He's fared poorly against the Brewers, but hopefully he finishes a great season on a good note.
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CC Sabathia starts on short rest tonight (he pitched on the 20th, today's the 24th) as a result of the Brewer playoff push (he wants to start Sunday, too, if needed). Remember what happened last time CC faced the Bucs? We're just not going to talk about it.
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Brandon Moss has some sort of knee problem--that he doesn't even feel--that one doctor believes requires surgery. He is searching for a second opinion now, but in any event, he's not going to play in any of these last 5 games. That means a chance for both Nyjer Morgan and Steve Pearce.
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Apparently Pedro still wants to be a Pirate! [Dejan] tells us he's in town, ready to sign and take a physical. The grievance hearing is expected to be settled "soon, possibly today." Great news. He also states that the whole fiasco was NOT a result of Pedro not wanting to be a Pirate. Ah, well, I like the clip anyway.
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Holy Smokes! This is the last game all year on FSN Pittsburgh! That's sad...

GameDay #148 vs. Cardinals

Sat, 13 Sep 2008 19:16:59 -0500

Cardinals (78-69) at Pirates (61-86)
7:05--PNC Park, Pittsburgh
Adam Wainwright (9-3, 2.85) vs. Ian Snell (6-11, 5.54)
[Preview]
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A great viewing alternative to USC/Ohio State, right? You can't get a Pirates Military Cap by sitting at home and watching that!
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Ian Snell is starting in place of Jeff Karstens, who was pushed back a day due to a "dental procedure." He can be added to the long list of injured Pirates: Tom Gorzelanny was pronounced out for the year yesterday, capping off a miserable year for him. Jimmy Barthmaier will come up, keeping the 6-man rotation intact.
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Adam Wainwright is a lot better than any of the above, and the Cardinals absolutely cannot afford to throw away another game like last night. Expect them to come out motivated.
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It's rainy in Pittsburgh today (again). We may have to suffer through some more delays tonight.
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[Box]

NEWS AND NOTES

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:02:23 -0500

--Yesterday, the Penguins did their annual ticket home deliveries, and Sidney Crosby announced that he's going to live with Mario Lemieux yet again, making it the most dominant hockey household in the world for a fourth consecutive season.

--The Pirates lost again to Houston, 7-4, and an injury suffered during the game will probably knock Tom Gorzelanny out for the season. Somehow, I doubt that this will have as much of an effect as the injury another athlete named Tom suffered this week. [Trib]

--Today marks seven years since 9/11/01, and presidential candidate John McCain is in the area to remember Flight 93. [Trib]

--Real Clear Sports has a unique take on NFL Power Rankings: they average them from nine top websites (ESPN, CBS, Fox, etc) and then re-rank them. The Steelers rank third after one week. [Real Clear Sports]

--Separated at birth: Neil Walker Edition. [Varsity Blog]

--How did the Pirates get this bad? Here's their 1,992-step plan. [ESPN.com]

--Mt. Lebanon High School sophomore Christopher Weis is getting ready for an upcoming appearance on Jeopardy! [PG]

--Forbes put the Steelers' worth at $1.01 billion, 18th highest in the league. A year ago, the team's value was $928 million. I call it "The Tomlin Effect". [Trib]

--Here's a closer look at Tom Brady's letter to Matt Cassel. Short and to the point. [Sports Pickle]

--Cleve Brownie Hank Fraley, a Robert Morris alum, talks Pittsburgh and his brief Steeler career. [Trib]

--The stars come out for the U.S. Open. [on 205th]

--Who says "pop" and who says "soda"? Here's a convenient map. And for the record, it's "pop". [Strange Maps]

--Here's the top 10 pieces of fantasy football trade bait. Two Steelers make the list. [Epic Carnival]

--PFT shares some text-messaging with new Steeler Justin Hartwig, who's going to have his hands full with 350-pound Shaun Rodgers on Sunday. [PFT, PG]

--The ZZ Top and Brooks & Dunn concert, scheduled for tomorrow at the Post-Gazette Pavilion, has been postponed. ZZ Top is still touring? [PG]

--Who are Hollywood's most overpaid movie stars? [Yahoo!]

--Here's the 6 Most (Certifiably) Insane Tales of Rock Star Behavior. [Cracked]

--And here's the new wave of credit card fraud, and yes, it involves X-acto knives and glue sticks. [Yahoo!]

Got news? Email it to mondesishouse@gmail.com and get automatically entered in a drawing to win a copy of KC Joyner's new book, Blindsided.

Pirates Clinch a Non-Winning Season

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:21:31 -0500

A comment on the [Bucs Dugout Gamethread] sums up this game perfectly:

"Maholm should walk over to Bautista and kick him in the nuts.
[...]
And Grabow."
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Setting the scene a little bit--Paul Maholm, after giving up a solo homer in the 4th, allowed four baserunners in that same inning but allowed none of them to score. He continued to pitch well, going 6 innings and leaving the game with a 4-1 lead.
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After the 7th inning stretch, Denny Bautista entered the game. Denny got an out, then walked a man, then gave up a double, then a single. 4-3. First pitch after that went to the backstop. 4-4. Denny came out, Grabow came in after that batter singled. Grabow gave up a two run shot. 6-4--that was quick.
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You may be wondering why Paul came out after 6 innings if he was throwing well. It was the right move--last year the Pirates overthrew Gorzelanny in September (way above his career high in innings) and Maholm is approaching his plateau and JR does not want to do the same thing. Still, a terrible inning just the same.
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Jesse Chavez gave up a solo shot in the 8th, but Doug Mientkiewicz drove in a run and the Bucs, down 2, began to rally in the ninth inning. Freddy (4 hits) and Nate accounted for a run via a Doumit sac fly, but closer Brian Wilson shut it down after that.
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The Pirates have 81 losses and no longer can achieve a winning season this year. If they run the table, they will finish exactly 81-81.
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Hey, at least Pitt beat Buffalo! (Barely!)

NEWS AND NOTES

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:31:40 -0500

Off to an in-person Mondesi's House interview this afternoon. Here's a few links to keep you occupied.

--Alleged luggage thief Tatum Bell defends himself on Dan Patrick's radio show: "Tatum Bell's not no thief." [PFT]

--The Pitt hoops team released their 2008-09 schedule. I hope they don't open with Bowling Green. [Pitt Blather]

--Meet my fellow participants in a Steeler Blogger Fantasy Football League. [One for the Other Thumb]

--Reds 8, Pirates 6, and Tom Gorzelanny continues to stink. [PG]

--Was Michael Beasley in the infamous Chalmers & Arthur hotel room or not? [TBL]

--JoePa hands out discipline to his misbehaving players. [PG]

--Matt Cavanaugh's playbook revealed! [Panther Rants]

--It's the return of the Original Friday Football Foodie, teaching football fans how to make Tostada Cups and Mint Juleps this weekend. [Playing the Field]

--The Perfect Party Favor: Rent A USC Song Girl! [Busted Coverage]

--What was the deal with the Redskins not going to the no-huddle on that second-to-last possession down by nine with about five minutes left? Can you say conspiracy theory? [Deadspin]

Got news? Email it to mondesishouse@gmail.com and get automatically entered in a drawing to win a copy of KC Joyner's new book, Blindsided.

MR. WONDERFUL

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:31:24 -0500

Oh, his name's Ohlendorf, not Orndorff? Sorry for the confusion. But the nickname might stick anyway if new Bucco pitcher Ross Ohlendorf can pitch like he did last night in a 6-5 win over Cincinnati.

Ohlendorf pitched six innings, allowing seven hits, a walk and three earned runs. And while he didn't hit the 98 MPH that he's known for, he did reach 95, which is at least in the neighborhood. For a team that was trotting out John Van Benschoten and Yoslan Herrera a short time ago, I'll take that any day. Said manager John Russell: "He was aggressive in the strike zone. He has the arm to be aggressive in the strike zone. He has a decent mix [of pitches]. He used both sides of the plate."

The Pirates somehow managed to win the game despite striking out 15 times, including 13 at the hands of Reds starter Edinson Volquez. The Pittsburgh offense was provided by a 10-hit attack scattered among six batters.

Tonight's matchup will surely help decide the 2008 NL Cy Young race: LHP Tom Gorzelanny (6-9, 6.61) vs. RHP Josh Fogg (2-7, 7.29). Good tickets still available.

Ohlendorf impressive in debut [PG]

Who Saw This One Coming?

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:05:34 -0500

For once, looking back on this Pirates game, it's very easy to say I could have predicted plenty of things that happened. Particularly the success of various pitchers (and of course, the outcome).
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Reds starter Josh Fogg loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning. The Pirates got three. In the second, Chris Gomez hit his first homer of the year (yeah, that's how bad Fogg is). 5-0 Buccos.
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Of course, you knew Gorzo wasn't going to do much better. He quickly allowed three runs of his own before exiting prior to completing four innings.
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Still, with a two run lead, the mighty Pirate bullpen went to work. Jason Davis gave up a run in an inning--hard to believe, I know. Jesse Chavez was next and he did the same. So a 5-0 lead had all of sudden become 5-5.
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After Fogg, the Reds brought in one of their own Sept. callup studs (Ramirez) who did not allow a baserunner in three innings. After he left the game, though, Nate McLouth untied things with a moon-shot to right-center. Clutch--Bucs lead by one in the 8th inning.
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So who does JR bring in? Craig Hansen.
Anyone care to guess what the first batter did? If you did not guess walk, you're an idiot. He walked. The next guy attempted to sac bunt but ended up with a single. A real sac bunt followed, and Hansen started off the next AB with two balls and a wild pitch that tied the game. The batter walked and that was the end of Hansen. TJ Beam got out of it after that, but not until two more guys had scored (Hansen's runs).
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So a 1 run lead became a 2 run deficit just like that, and after another late rally failed in the ninth, the game was over. 80th loss.
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Hansen will probably go nuts in the clubhouse just like he did last time he pitched. This is the guy we should be least excited about of the 8 new players--as talented as Hansen is, nothing irritates me more than someone who can't throw a strike. This is no fluke either--it was a problem in Boston--some just hoped it was the pressure of the big city weighing on him. Not so. Hopefully he'll prove me wrong and pull out of it, because when he is on he is filthy, but I do not like what I see so far.
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The Pirates have to win out for a winning season in 2008.

GameDay #139 at Reds

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:05:34 -0500

Pirates (59-79) at Reds (61-78)
12:35--Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
Tom Gorzelanny (6-9, 6.61) vs. Josh Fogg (2-7, 7.29)
[Preview]
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Wow, what a great pitching duel this game should be... Tom Gorzelanny (especially on the road--and Cincy is a launching pad) has been just awful..and he comes in facing an opponent that is somehow worse. Old buddy Josh Fogg has already lost to the Bucs once this year, so hopefully we can repeat that today and get a sweep. Gorzo beat the Reds once this year but also failed to make it out of the first inning at Great American on May 28. He is coming off an outing in which he trailed 3-0 after 3 batters, then was brilliant for the rest of his 7 innings.
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This game--along with the ENTIRE upcoming series in San Francisco--will not be on TV in Pittsburgh. Football season is upon us...
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[Box]

GameDay #139 at Reds

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:05:34 -0500

Mets Pitching Matchups vs Brewers (9/1- 9/3)

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:14:47 -0500

Monday, September 1

Miller Park | 2:05 PM ET

Johan Santana, LHP (12-7, 2.70)
Mets (76-61)

Ben Sheets, RHP (12-7, 3.05)
Brewers (80-56)

Scouting Report:

Mets: The Phillies were effective in either fouling off Santana's pitches or taking them over the fence, forcing the Mets ace out of the game after six innings with six strikeouts and three runs allowed in a no-decision. He threw 106 pitches, 67 for strikes, and gave up two home runs to end his scoreless innings streak at 16. Next are the Brewers, who Santana has a 3-2 career record against with 3.61 ERA in 47 1/3 innings.

Brewers: Sheets was backed into a corner in his last start but managed to toss six scoreless innings, working his way out of more than a few jams in the early innings. He struck out twice as many batters has he walked and yielded only five hits against St. Louis. Sheets went as far as six innings all six of his August starts and will try to continue the longevity vs. the Mets, against whom he is 4-2 with a 5.10 ERA in his career.

Tuesday, September 2

Miller Park | 8:05 PM ET

Jonathon Niese, LHP (0-0, -.--)
Mets (76-61)

Manny Parra, LHP (10-6, 4.00)
Brewers (80-56)

Scouting Report:

Mets: In the absence of John Maine, who hit the disabled list last week with a bone spur in his right shoulder, the Mets will turn to their top pitching prospect, Niese. Relying on his signature 12-to-6 curveball, Niese posted an 11-8 record and a 3.13 ERA between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A New Orleans this season -- and after joining the Zephyrs, he lost only once in seven starts. Technically, Niese will be starting on short rest, having pitched on Friday night in New Orleans. But he threw only 65 pitches in that outing, meaning he should be fresh for his Major League debut.

Brewers: Parra's six quality innings last week in St. Louis went for naught, as the Brewers' bullpen gave up four runs in the eighth inning. He's been just as consistent as all of the Brewers' other starters this year and has made many forget that this is only his second year in the big leagues. This will be the second start of Parra's career against the Mets.

Wednesday, September 3

Miller Park | 2:05 PM ET

Oliver Perez, LHP (9-7, 3.90)
Mets (76-61)

Dave Bush, RHP (9-9, 4.12)
Brewers (80-56)

Scouting Report:

Mets: Despite walking five batters on Friday against the Marlins, Oliver Perez allowed only two runs, but he could not muster a win. The five walks weren't even the trouble -- a solo homer, an error and a sacrifice fly amounted for all the damage off Perez. But it was enough. Perez now hasn't won in three starts, marking his longest streak since early June. He'll look to right himself against the Brewers, who tagged him for six runs in 4 1/3 innings back in April.

Brewers: Bush was caught in a heated pitching duel with Pirates starter Tom Gorzelanny on Friday, but Bush was able to escape PNC Park with his ninth win of the year. The quality outing also improved his August record to 4-0. Bush continues to show signs of improvement on the road and is gaining more and more confidence from his manager, Ned Yost. Bush will attempt to keep the good vibrations going against the Mets, whom he is 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA against in his career.

Pirates Lose; Even More Pedro Stuff

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:03:29 -0500

Same old story for Tom Gorzelanny--in the first inning, that is. He gave up a single, walk, and home run, and just like that, it was 3-0 after 3 batters.
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After that, Gorzo was brilliant. Indianapolis-like. He made it all the way through seven innings and was virtually flawless in the final six.
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Still not enough against the great......Dave Bush. Bush is turning into the new Jason Marquis--I believe this is the third time he's shut us down this year. Against everyone else, he's a below-average pitcher at best. Bush only gave up one run (Nate McLouth solo shot) and the Brewer bullpen (including Torres) did the rest of the job.
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The Pirates stranded a lot of runners (11 I think). That was more about all of the guys reaching base with two outs than ineptitude in moving guys over, etc, though. I don't think the leadoff man was ever on base.
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Sigh. More Pedro news. Now it seems that MLBPA is going to focus the charges on just Avarez's case, not all of MLB (contrary to what I reported earlier). Feels like they're picking on the Pirates--and of all the people to pick on, WHY US!? MLB reacted by defending the Pirates and saying Eric Hosmer (the Royals dude) was in Alavrez's same boat (which MLBPA apparently doesn't believe) and forced him to sit out his minor league game tonight.
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This [Dejan update] makes things sound like the Pirates are giving a little ground. Not good (emphasis added):

The phone records that will be entered, the source said, will show a call coming to the office of Alvarez's agent, Scott Boras, at 12:02 a.m. That call, the union will maintain, was the one that resulted in Alvarez's acceptance.

The Pirates' position has been that a deal was done before midnight and that the commissioner's office has the discretion to grant extensions. The Pirates have conceded that finalization of the agreement with the commissioner's office came after midnight.

As much as this is terribly unfortunate, [this other PG piece] is irritating and reassuring at the same time. You probably saw it today, but read this quote from Dave Littlefield regarding last year's draft:

Most teams contacted Boras to inquire about Wieters, but not the Pirates, who had the No. 4 overall pick. So, Boras, according to a source in his agency, phoned Dave Littlefield, the general manager at the time, to find out why. The team's response was that it did not view Wieters as a top-five talent, in part because of his throwing. Boras was incredulous that Wieters' throwing -- widely viewed as fine, anyway -- could be prioritized over his switch-hitting, power-hitting abilities, and the conversation soon ended.

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Unbelievable. At least we have a guy now who has the guts to draft the high-level talent--no matter the cost. Even if we completely lose Alvarez, that's still better than Danny freaking Moskos.

Pirates Lose; Even More Pedro Stuff

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:03:29 -0500

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Unbelievable. At least we have a guy now who has the guts to draft the high-level talent--no matter the cost. Even if we completely lose Alvarez, that's still better than Danny freaking Moskos.

GameDay #134 vs. Brewers

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:41:56 -0500

Brewers (77-56) at Pirates (57-76)
7:05--PNC Park, Pittsburgh
Dave Bush (8-9, 4.24) vs. Tom Gorzelanny (6-8, 6.82)
[Preview]
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The BREWERS!? Again!? Ahhh!!! This is turning into a seriously miserable month for the Pirates. Seven straight losses, nineteen games under .500 after hanging around/below ten most of the year, and now the Pedro fiasco (jeopardizing the only GOOD news of the month).
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So after finally finishing with those darn Cubbies, we get the Brewers, who just swept us twice in a row at Miller Park, the last one being just last weekend.
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Tom Gorzelanny, in all likelihood, will contribute even more to the pain if he keeps going like he's been going. First start back in the majors--he was terrible. And that was against the Brewers. Gorzo's numbers are actually pretty decent at PNC this year, though.
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Dave Bush isn't very good, but he's shut us down twice in a row now. The Brewers had won five straight before losing their last contest. The Bucs have dropped a season-high seven in a row.
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After all this Pedro talk, it's nice to get back to baseball. I just wish the baseball was a little better.
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[Box]