How long should Cubs give Lilly as the #3 starter?
Alright, while I personally think Lilly will continue to have a significant career in the Majors, I am concerned about him being the type of pitcher that gives up too many HRs. I've stated here before how Lilly can make women pregnant just by throwing his curveball, but I don't think Lilly will ever get moved out of the 9th spot in the lineup. This may have more to do with Lou's expectations of him at the plate and his unorthodox swing, which doesn't allow him to stay back on anything off speed and away and when he does hit the pitch, it's nothing but a weak groundball to SS (I wouldn't dare say this to Lilly's face - so, to whoever is reading this, please don't listen to me because I don't have a "trained eye", do you think Lou has a trained eye?).
Anyway, having said that, I think that maybe if he is still struggling after his next start, he needs to be moved down in the rotation at the very least and maybe even put in the bullpen. I would put Heilman in the 3rd starter's spot, who I have much more confidence in to keep the ball in the ballpark and I imagine Lou would too, who could shake things up and would be a good bunter as well.
Not at all saying this after one game and is in no way a knee jerk reaction, but even the staunchest Lilly fan must admit his struggles in the playoffs recently and it's due to batters making the adjustment to him and so far what Ive seen from him in the WBC, ST and last night, I don't see any signs of him making an adjustment as his gopherballs look exactly the same as last year.
Who would you put in the 3rd starter's spot if Lilly continues his struggles on the mound?
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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Somethings gotta give
Eventually somethings gotta give and its not going to be pretty. Is it possible for him to have gotten worse than last year? Maybe its hard for him now to hit pitch at all with his improved ‘core training’ appearances in the WBC. Its definitely a debacle. Honestly I don’t think we are going to have to worry about where whether he hits pitches at all, more like whether he stays on the roster at all.
You can call me "20K."
brilliant minds, daver, brilliant minds.
OK… yours is better
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan
I think we should keep Lilly as a pinch runner
he can replace a runner on third that represents the tying or winning run. No catcher will dare stand in the way of Theodore Roosevelt Lilly and live to tell about it. He can steal home every time.
"Respect" ~ Ryne Sanberg
plus with his XRay vision
he can steal signs and let the third baseman know what pitch is coming
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
Call me crazy
but why would Theodore tell the defense what pitch is coming?
"Respect" ~ Ryne Sanberg
because he is batting third while pitching
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
Something's Gotta Give
Eventually somethings gotta give and its not going to be pretty. Is it possible for Lilly to have gotten worse than last year? Maybe its hard for him now to pitch at all with his improved ‘core training’. Its definitely a debacle. Honestly I don’t think we are going to have to worry about where he pitches at all, more like whether he stays on the roster at all.
I say we send him back to California and put Spellcheck in the 3rd starter spot.
Steal a little and they throw you in jail, Steal a lot and they make you king -- Bob Dylan
Uummm...how about
all season!
If you think you've seen it all...just wait!
by CubFanSince1970 on Apr 9, 2009 11:24 AM CDT reply actions
and next season.
Jeez the guy has always been a bit gopher ball prone and slow starting but he comes through in the end. Best thing he is NOT a nibbler which accounts for some of the gopher balls but it beats walking the bases loaded etc.
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 9, 2009 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions
1000 BCB demerits
I missed the joke but I never even read the Dome thread as could pretty much knew what it said and I had some vacuuming to do until I realized I have wooden floors .
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 9, 2009 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions
one game itis
GEEZ
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
He'll be fine...........
4 HR’s in that band box with the wind blowing isn’t going to change Lou’s mind
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
blowing out
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
thats what she spit?
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
That's an idea I find hard to swallow.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 9, 2009 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions
TWSS?
That was salty sweet
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
+1
No need to overreact on April 9th.
make*art
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 9, 2009 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Okay, I get it now.
Ignore. Nothing to see here.
make*art
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 9, 2009 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions
my thoughts exactly
one game, relax people.
or should we bench Milton Bradley for having a BA of 0.000 thru three games we well
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
You still don't get it, do you?
SSSS
AAAA
TTTT
IIII
RRRR
EEEE
Satirrrrrreeee Daaaannnce
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 9, 2009 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions
see my other posts here
and you will see I do get it
I be it no dummy
aduh
:=)
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
Ah, sorry!
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 9, 2009 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions
its ok
i am just trying to hurry up and get to my 20,000 post
only 17,238 to go
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
you'll get there faster
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 9, 2009 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions
if you don't say everything in one post
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 9, 2009 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions
I've got 9,630 to go
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 9, 2009 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions
thanks
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
for
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
Not a bad idea
Sit Bradley and let Fukudome have his position back,throw Johnson in center and be good to go.Maybe we should have never signed Bradley in the first place and spent his money on a better starter.
When my time on earth is gone,and my activities here are passed,I want they bury me upside down,and my critics can kiss my ass! Bobby Knight
by Telling it how it is on Apr 11, 2009 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Ted Lilly sucks
His hitting pitching approach hasn’t changed one iota from last season and on top of that he is a defensive liability in center dire threat to catchers everywhere. Cut to the chase and hand the centerfield job his spot in the rotation to Johnson and Gathright Mitch Atkins or Randy Wells. The offense and the defense pitching staff will be much more productive and reliable. Kosuke Ted Lilly and his $12 $40 million per can rot on the bench.
You can call me "20K."
SWL...
you jokester you! This is brilliant.
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
I think the bigger question is
why is he on the team to begin with?
Clearly his loyalties lie with the USA and not the Cubs. How dare he collect a paycheck from the Cubs and then turn his back on his employer to play in the WBC. The Cubs should have sent a message by cutting him.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
That's just brilliant?
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
It is not JUST brilliant.. It is BRILLIANT.
I needed a laugh after hearing of Nick Adenhart’s untimely death last night… I’ll be laughing about this the whole off day!
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Apr 9, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions
I'd give him
Negative 2 games there more starts. If he can produce in the 8 spot bullpen, then I’d think about moving him back up into the rotation.
You can call me "20K."
How the hell is this post by 2 people??
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
witchcraft!
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 9, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Dogs and cats, LIVING TOGETHER...
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 9, 2009 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions
I've seen sh!t
that’ll turn you into a BREWERS fan!
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 9, 2009 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions
POTTERGASM!
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
EXPELLIARMUS!
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 9, 2009 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions
you should watch
where you kneel.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 9, 2009 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Pretty good satire, SWL
Funny stuff.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Apr 9, 2009 11:59 AM CDT reply actions
Lilly sucks.
His hittingpitching approach hasn’t changed one iota from last season and on top of that he is a defensivean offensive liability in centerat the plate. Cut to the chase and hand the centerfield#3 job to Johnson and GathrightGaudin. The offense and the defense dumpster will be much more productive and reliable. Kosuke and his $12 million perLilly can rot on the bench.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
This...
is worthy of a BCB Pulitzer. Your finest moment.
+1 to you sir.
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
Did you really post a nekid pic of yourself on here?
I'm a truth teller, I'm a risk taker, I'm like Johnny Cash - I walk the line...
by Jimmyeatworld on Apr 9, 2009 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions
sigh.....
you got me.
and I thought I was so smart…….
"This is a game to be savored, not gulped. There's time to discuss everything between pitches or between innings." -- Bill Veeck
Nicely Done
Kudos SWL…
"This is a game to be savored, not gulped. There's time to discuss everything between pitches or between innings." -- Bill Veeck
I hope...........
it didn’t give you a daver
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
no
32-17 in 2 seasons. ERA right at 4. 200 IP/season. I’m pretty sure most teams would take that as their number 2.
Micah Hoffpauir
could make you wish that much better.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 9, 2009 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions
You obviously didn’t watch any of the 2nd half of last season. He has the worst mechanics at the plate rubber I have ever seen. He’ll never be able to stay back and hit pitch off speep pitches away lunging like he does and if he does make contact pitch a strike, it’ll end up as lazy fly balls to LF home runs like last year and today yesterday as a matter of fact.
He’s trash, you get used to it.
the pink hat guy is my father
This is going to go down as the worst move Hendry made as GM
It still blows my mind to think that he could scout this guy for two ten years and never pick up on what a flawed hitting pitching approach he had.
At the same time I read that Pinella immediately had alarm bells going off after seeing him hit pitch only briefly in ST last year.
We all pretty much know what’s going to happen; he’ll be dropped from the 2 5 hole within a week or two…they’ll start to platoon him pitch him out of the bullpen…and gradually his playing time will decrease.
At that point it’s just a matter of time before they eat a chunk of salary and dump him on somebody else or bite the bullet and buy out his contract completely.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Apr 9, 2009 1:27 PM CDT reply actions
I'm enjoying reading the posts that are serious.
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 9, 2009 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I'd make that my avatar
except no one could read it.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 9, 2009 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Based on last year's numbers, it's clear our rotation should be
1. Zambrano
2. Zambrano
3. Marshall
4. Zambrano
5. Zambrano
This rotation takes care of all our problems, except for the ones it doesn’t. It provides a great deal of flexibility in the bottom of the lineup, and should provide more consistancy off the mound. It also frees up four spots on the bench for Lou to bring in a few more LH bats.
(Anyone who disagrees with me is wrong. Also, pitching is king.)
I left my clever sig line in my other pants.
Until he goes on the DL or Lou realizes he can't hit in the NL, whichever comes first.
(He slugged .250 on the A’s last year, with 4 AB’s. Maybe he just needs to get back in AL form!)
I left my clever sig line in my other pants.
what is this
little white ball with the bulbous hammer thingy?
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 9, 2009 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Psst...I'm teeing up TWSS's for you guys.
C’mon, people, I know it’s an off day, but we’ve got to stay sharp!
You can call me "20K."

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 9, 2009 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Is that what you're doing?
You know what they say: any joke you have to explain wasn’t funny to begin with.
I think you’re letting 20000 get to your head.
TWSS
make*art
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 9, 2009 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Was that before or after
Skywalker cut his other arm off?
make*art
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 9, 2009 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Could be after.
I can’t remember whether the light saber got his left arm or right. Something tells me Drew knows, though.
You can call me "20K."
Oh, I know. It was the right.
And it’s lightsaber, one word.
make*art
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 9, 2009 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Could you send me a PDF...
…of the Star Wars Universe Style Guide when you get a chance. I’m working on a project here.
You can call me "20K."
I don't understand the question
and I won’t respond to it.
make*art
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 9, 2009 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions
I have the d20 rulebook
If you need to borrow it.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go alphabetize my collection of Doctor Who serials.
I left my clever sig line in my other pants.
Remember, "An Unearthly Child" goes in the "U" section
Not the “A” section
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 11, 2009 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions
quite
a little bit below the shoulder.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 10, 2009 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions
I dont know about that
might want to allow Marmol to start a game also
Zambrano
Marshall
Marmol
Zambrano
Marshall
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
No, we need Marmol in the bullpen. I'd revise as follows:
Zambrano
Ditka
Ditka
Ditka
Ditka
You can call me "20K."
no Mini Ditka?
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
But
But he’s a 29 year old ROOKIE!
Jay is our Quarterback. Also please note my email has changed on my profile anyone who sometimes sends me emails.
Micah Hoffpauir
could be a better 29 year old rookie than Micah Hoffpauir.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 9, 2009 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions
And now I have to clean brain matter off my screen...
…because you just blew my mind.
I left my clever sig line in my other pants.
I won't be asking you
how you like your eggs.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 9, 2009 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Good.
Because I wasn’t going to answer if you did.
(Scrambled, BTW. And slightly overdone.)
I left my clever sig line in my other pants.
Ha! Funny stuff.
A blueprint for every ledgejumping post on this site.
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
I say leave Lilly as #3 in the rotation
only if he can convince Lou to do the following
Let Micah lead off and play CF, while moving Dome to the bench for Johnson, and trade Riot for Roberts and Peavy, allowing LBR to become a SS. and bench Bradley until he starts hitting
Until then, place Lilly on the DL with homeritis.
New Line Up should be as follows
L- Micah CF
R- Dlee 1B
L- Font SS
R- Soriano LF
L – Hill C
R- Ramirez 3B
Pitcher
R- Johnson RF
S- Roberts 2B
and HWSNBN gets to call the games with the opposing teams broadcast announcers both at home and on the road.
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
what
Micah Hoffpauir is only playing ONE position? Surely, you jest!
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 9, 2009 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions
its CF
he can call off EVERYONE on every pop up
see there is a method to my madness
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
Anybody bored on an off-day?
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
Off-day and workday make Homer something something.
make*art
by neverAcquiesce on Apr 9, 2009 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions
beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
SWL: nice effort.
no one knows how to utilize the mound talent more than you…or so I am told.
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
That's wrong on so many levels.
Good job, LA.
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
Move Lilly out of the rotation? What?!
Who would take his place? Samardiza has only two pitches and neither one has been working all spring, nor in his season debut at Iowa (in relief). Mitch Atkins got knocked around & is unproven. And we will need a starter when Rich Harden goes down (and he will). You have go to be crazy, this is one of the most over-reactionary things I’ve ever read. Lilly has won 15+ games the last two years and is here to stay. If he sucks, we’re in trouble. Wow, what a stupid post.
by rememberthecoop on Apr 9, 2009 10:34 PM CDT reply actions
You don't really believe that this is a serious post do you? Please
tell me that you’re being sarcastic.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Apr 9, 2009 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Apparently he hasn't gotten the
SWL is always being silly memo.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Apr 9, 2009 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions
I guess we have to release it again.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Apr 9, 2009 10:56 PM CDT up reply actions
But only the censored version
We don’t want to violate Al’s rules.
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 10, 2009 12:05 AM CDT up reply actions
I think he's upset about his 4 ads being deleted
Now he’s got himself all worked up into a tizzle tizzy
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 10, 2009 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
"Ridikulus!"
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 10, 2009 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions
dood.
MICAH HOFFPAUIR will pitch. Duh. :P
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Apr 10, 2009 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, this post is so much worse than the four self-promoting Fanshots you posted the other day.
You can call me "20K."
Well it WAS really funny. Hey now I'm being sarcastic.
My bad for thinking that this was a place for any serious Cubs baseball talk. And what’s wrong with wanting to share some Cubs articles with you guys? Oh yeah, I remember, you only care about silly stuff. Again, my bad. When I write my next humor piece entitled “why dat cubfan daver is a jerk” I’ll be sure to share that with you too. But don’t get made – it’ll be satire too. I guess all you can do is ridicule me because you don’t know enough about baseball to talk intelligently about it.
by rememberthecoop on Apr 12, 2009 12:14 AM CDT up reply actions
"Sharing some Cubs articles"..
…. doesn’t necessarily include self-promoting four of your own in a row, as I explained to you in email.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
LOL, nice try, coop.
Long story short, you should know better. And, quite frankly, if those articles represent your conception of “serious baseball talk,” don’t quit your day job.
You can call me "20K."
When did you get made daver? I didn't know you were THAT kind of wiseguy!
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Apr 13, 2009 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Eh, I know a guy who knows a guy.
I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.
What do you mean I'm funny?
What do you mean, you mean the way I talk? What?
Funny how? What’s funny about it?
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Apr 14, 2009 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions
I say trade Lilly
and Zambrano for Marquis
that will solidify our WS hopes
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
and Mini DItka
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
-1!
One start….ONE F-ING START. BFHD! And to boot, he got the “W”. Great insight.
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
this is called comedy
SWL is relaxed I assure you
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Apr 12, 2009 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions

by
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