Results tagged ‘ Coors Field ’
Chill’n in the Sun, Baseball’s Officially Begun
ATTENTION-There are more pictures for this entry but MLBlogs is having issues with uploading pictures so when I can upload more I will…Thanks…D
3/31/2011
While other fans are celebrating their opening day, Rockies fans wait patiently for Friday’s home opener. The weather is supposed to be absolutely beautiful tomorrow and in Colorado warm sunny days with no snow in April is a good thing.
Today Rockies fans were allowed to enter Coors Field a day early with the purchase of a $6.00 ticket(proceeds going to the Rockies Foundation). The ticket came with a voucher good for a Rockies game during April and May, the chance to get a few autographs and the opportunity to watch the Rockies workout.
I received a text from Gary X about ninety minutes before the stadium opened letting me know that they were first in line.
When I arrived, I found Gary X and Alannah X rock’n first and second place in line along with Mike and Douglas close by.
They were kind enough to save me a spot..Thanks G 
After the gates opened everyone was determined to get a good spot in line for autographs. Not me, I noticed an empty outfield and the D-Backs were on the field taking BP. I headed straight for the pavilion and had the entire left and center field to myself for at least ten minutes.
As luck would have it, not even one baseball was hit even close to the outfield the entire time I was there, …all alone, with the snagging opportunity of a lifetime.
Still it felt good and I’m glad I got to do it.
After my ten minutes of private bliss the pavilion started to fill in and I mean fill in big time. There was an extremely good turnout for this Rockies “Workout For Charity”. Fans relished this unique opportunity to see their team up close and personal one day before the Rockies season starts.
It was fun, fun to sit in the outfield and take in the sights. Fun to see familiar faces and talk Rockies baseball real time with good friends, it felt good to be back.
Jim and Joy and their son were sitting next to me in the pavilion.(Great to see and hang with you all).
Once the D-Backs finished their batting practice I asked Jim to watch my backpack and Mike and I hoofed it over to the first base side to take a few pictures of the pitchers who were over in right field doing their warm-ups.
That lasted all of about five minutes because I noticed the Rockies were starting to gravitate towards the batting cage. That was my clue to get my butt back over to the pavilion. There were probably six baseballs hit to left and center field but with all the people blocking the ability to move I didn’t have a chance at any of them.
Gary X informed me that at one point I was looking the wrong way and I missed a toss up…It figures .
Jason Giambi is the still man. I watched Giambi hit two baseballs into the third deck and another ball bounced off of the third level rail. The dude still has a lot of power in that swing and his swing was ON today. Tulo had a bit of a slow start but at one point hit about four homers into the pavilion behind me about fifteen feet.
Cargo launched a beauty into the third level and looked like the Rockies long term superstar was having a great time today. Props to Esmil Rogers (aka Mr Rogers today) for tossing out a bunch of baseballs to extremely eager young fans and for taking the time to sign for a group of fans in the first row of the outfield.
I’m ready. Everyone at Coors Field today was ready.
When I wake up, it will be opening day and I’ll be at Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s games.
I”m “D” The Rockpile Ranter and if you’re not at 20th and Blake tomorrow gett’n your Rockies groove on you’ll be missing all the opening day festivities.
I wish Tom Helmer and the crew at ROOT SPORTS the best tomorrow on their first day of broadcasting. That whole team is the best and we’re lucky to have them.
Go Rockies…Let’s change things up and start the season off STRONG…D
Going Squirrely?…You Can Get in Early
3/23/11
I still can’t stop thinking about Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.
I keep thinking woulda, coulda, shoulda.
It doesn’t help that Dan and Emily just got back from a week in Scottsdale a few days ago, Mike got back yesterday, Geoff is back and Robert has been there since the first game.
All I can say is next year I’ll have more time and now I sort of know the ropes. Look out!
I try not to set my goals too high as life has it’s own share of built in disappointments and I don’t need to add to it..But, living in the mountains gives you lots of time to ponder stuff.
Below is a list of things I’d like to accomplish in 2011. None of them may ever happen but a guy can dream.
Goals and Dreams for 2011
More than anything on this big blue earth I want to catch my first live game home run during the regular season.(4th year’s a charm). It’s got to happen, nobody can come so close so many times and not eventually snag one right?
All I can figure is there’s a master plan out there and my first homerun catch is gonna be a monumental one. Believe it or not I dream about this and in the dream it’s Todd Helton who homers to me.
Have the opportunity to rub up a few baseballs with Lena Blackburn’s mud that will then be used during the game. 
Throw out the first pitch of any game.
Take batting practice with the Rockies, hit a few maybe field a few.
Snag 50 BP baseballs in 40 games.
Have an opportunity to take game pictures in the media section right next to the Rockies dugout.
Try again to get Jason Giambi’s autograph on my Spring Training homerun of his from last season.
Interview one of the Baseball Authenticators that secretly inhabit Coors Field.
Make new friends and increase the Rant’s following with the goal of making the Rockpile Ranter a household name in Colorado.
Be part of one of Tom Helmer’s “Tom on the Town” segments along with the Rantics
Find a way to make baseball a full time job rather than my hobby .
The Rantics are an intense group of loyal Rockies baseball fans. A Rantic is someone who would do almost anything for their team at a moments notice. If that describes you and we’ve never met, I want to meet you.
Every other blog entry or so this season I’d like to profile a new Rockies fan. I plan to take a picture of them and ask a variety of questions and I’ll post it on the blog. That is how I built the Rockpile Rant, one reader/friend at a time.
Give me three minutes of your time, I’ll make ya famous
If you want to get a sneak peak of your Rockies before opening day you might want to pick up a couple tickets for the “Rockies Workout for Charity” on March 31st.
Tickets are six bucks and all net proceeds benefit the Rockies Foundation.
With your six dollar ticket you will receive a voucher for a complimentary ticket for select April and May home games, subject to availability.
Gates open at 1pm. The Rockies will be signing autographs at 1:30 for twenty minutes along the first baseline. Similar to Autograph Sundays I presume.
The Rockies will take the field at 2:10 and will go through a full workout lasting about ninety minutes.
It will be cool, you’ll get to walk around Coors Field and check out all of the new stuff that was added, snag a few autographs and if we’re lucky get in a round of batting practice.
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter and I’m ready for some home cooked food and some live baseball.
Wont you join me?..Go Rockies…D 
Yeah the Sun’s Fun…Bring on Game One
2-25-11
ROCKIES SPRING TRAINING 2011
It’s 6am and we’re waiting to board the Frontier Airlines Fox. Salt River Fields here we come.
Shortly thereafter…
The flight was a success and as soon as we picked up our rental car we headed for Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.
Within about 20 minutes us arriving at the training facility I ran into Rant favorite Tom Helmer.
We chatted a bit and he said to hit him up before we leave as he had some T-Shirts for us.
Here’s a picture of the T-Shirts that Tom had specially made.
If you’re a Rantic, there’s a good chance you’ll get one of these. I’ll be sporting the shirt under my Ranter jersey tomorrow during the game.
Here’s some pictures of the new stadium and some of the players warming up.
Here’s a peek inside the main gate. Look at that grass berm…Absolutely perfect
Jason Giambi and Todd Helton doing the first base thing.
Here’s a shot of the kids and I peeking through the fence looking for homers. Tom Helmer let me know that one of the batting practice homers I snagged was Giambi’s.
Hunter snagged three, I got two and Mylee also managed to snag two.
While the kids and I were snagg’n baseballs George Frazier and Drew Goodman walked by. George stopped and said “I remember you from Rockies Fan Fest” and shook my hand. George, that made my day..seriously thank you.
Drew said hi and then they went on their way.
Really nice guys…We’re damn lucky to have them.
Franklin and Jorge
Mylee showing me how it’s done.
Dexter Fowler taking batting practice with EY Jr and Jim Tracy watching.
The Team Store
The practice field with the green screen is made to the exact dimentions of Coors Field.
In between the Rockies practice fields.
At this point we had to take off for a quick visit with my sister-in-law and then head on down to Yuma so the kids could spend a few days with my parents.I’ll be getting up at 3am so I can drive three hours from Yuma and be at the new stadium by 7:30.
It’s been my plan for over a year to be the first fan inside the new stadium.
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter… A man work’n his plan.
I see the light, let’s hope I’m right.
2/15/11
I normally don’t make predictions about how I think the Rockies season will turn out because I don’t want to jinx anything. This is my fourth season blogging about the Rockies and they have yet to win a World Series so I figure a little speculating can’t hurt right?
With the buzz of the new spring training facility and general good vibes it’s creating, good thing are going to happen this year.
Plus it’ll be fun to check back at the end of the season after we win the World Series and see how accurate I was.
Rockpile Ranter’s 2011 Rockies Predictions…
First off the Rockies finally break the road curse and become the team to beat on the road winning ten more road games in 2011 than in 2010. This is in part due to the Rockies strength in the bullpen this season.
Ubaldo Jiminez had 19 wins in 2010
In 2011 Ubaldo will dominate the National League with 22 wins.
In 2010 Jason Hammel had 10 wins
In 2011 Jason Hammel will step it up a bit with 12 wins.
In 2010 Aaron Cook had 6 wins.
In 2011 Aaron Cook will improve locking in 8 wins.
In 2010 Jhoulys Chacin had 9 wins.
In 2011 Jhoulys Chacin will continue to make his mark with 12 wins.
Troy Tulowitzki will have his best season to date.
In 2010 Tulo had 27 homeruns, 95 RBI and 11 stolen bases
In 2011 Tulo will hit 36 homeruns, 107 RBI and will steal 18 bases.
Carlos Gonzalez will also have his best season to date.
In 2010 Cargo had 34 homeruns, 117 RBI and 26 stolen bases.
In 2011 Cargo will hit 35 homeruns, 120 RBI and will steal 28 bases.
In 2010 Dexter Fowler had 6 homeruns and 36 RBI and 13 stolen bases.
In 2011 Dexter busts out with an incredible 21 homeruns 65 RBI and 25 stolen bases.
THE ROCKIES
2010 season win/loss record was 83-79
2011 season win/loss record will be 94-6
Which means..
This time Jim Tracy’s Rockies are all business.
Rockies take the World Series in five games.
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter and I can see the f’kn light.
2011 is the Rockies year… Rantics do you feel me?
Gett’n our Kix wait’n for Tix
2/12/11
Today Colorado Rockies tickets went on sale at the ticket windows at Coors Field. This is the day when a little patience pays off big. It was a bit chilly but the forcast for today was was mid 50′s.
The way the Rockies work it is you choose a wristband that’s numbered between 101 and 499. The 100′s represent line one, 200′s line two, etc. Then the second set of numbers decides your position in line.
Mylee pulled the best numbered wristband of the three of us #313.
Her wristband put us in Row 3 in the 13th spot. Actually there were only six people in front of us so we were sixth in that line.
Then the Rockies staff placed four baseballs inside a bag numbered 1-4. A little girl was chosen from the crowd to pick out the numbered baseballs. The order in which the baseballs were picked decided which of the fours row gets to line-up in front of the ticket windows first.
The little girl picked Row 3 first(sweet), so we were were one of the first six fans at the ticket window.
The Rockies were thoughtful and provided hot chocolate for everyone standing in line.
Once the line sequence had been determined the Rockies staff march each individual row over to the ticket window where we waited about ten minutes for the windows to open.
Here’s the long line of folks patiently waiting for their time at the window.
As always Dinger was around to help pass the time.
The kids and I were able to purchase four of the last few remaining Rockpile tickets for opening day on April 1st.
We were also able to snag tickets for all of the fireworks games which are on:
July 1st
July 2nd
September 16th.
And all of the Bobblehead games which are on:
April 3rd Ubaldo Jiminez
June 10th Carlos Gonzalez
August 20th Troy Tulowitzki.
Mission accomplished in less than an hour.
Only two weeks until we’re in Arizona opening the new Rockies/D-Backs stadium.
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter and I’m just gett’n all my ducks in row for this season.
What’s going on here?…Let the man pour beer.
2-7-11 *ATTENTION RANTICS*
I was just informed that there is a petition circulating to ensure that Rockies Super Vendor Captain Earthman is allowed to serve beer at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.
Captain Earthman has been a fixture at spring training in Tucson and at Coors Field for years.
From what I’m told the Captain hasn’t received the phone call stating that he has a job in the new stadium come Feb 26th.
We Rockies fans cherish the few traditions we have. Captain Earthman happens to be one of them. You’ve got to love the way he calls all little kids “Future Beer Drinkers”.
Or Earthman’s standard line “Ain’t no sissy sipp’n”.
One of the great things about Captain Earthman is that if you have his business card all you have to do is give him a ring, tell him your seat location and what you want to drink and he magically appears with a frosty cold beverage and a few words of wisdom.
Here he is moving at sonic speed.
Below is a link to the petition:
Let Captain Earthman pour beer in Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
Just fill out your name and email address. Then you will be sent an email with a link. Click on the link and it will add your name to the petition. If you don’t see the email right away check your junk folder. It’s really easy.
Please give Captain Earthman your support. He’s always been there to support us.
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter and I believe in this cause.
Thanks to You…Rockpile Rant comes in at Two
2/4/11
Here are your Top 10 Latest Leaders based on traffic for the period of January 1-31, 2011:
FAN MLBLOGS
1. Sarge’s Phillies Phantasy Camp Diary
2. Rockpile Rant
3. Rays Renegade
4. Red State Blue State
5. Unfinished Business
6. Hands off my Pirates Booty
7. The Three Bs
8. The Future Blog of the Red Sox
9. Yankee Yapping
10. Phillies Phollowers
Number 2?…Hell Yeah!!
I want to thank the Rockpile Rantics for their continued support. I’ve been waiting for the day when a Rockies Blog rules the MLBlogosphere and other than being beat out in January by a Phillies Fantasy Camp blog (that had the cover page of MLBlogs for a week), we’re there.
I’m willing to bet I spent less money in January than Sarge did
The Rockpile Rant is a fan MLBLog and there’s a reason it is ranks at number two. The Rockies fanbase is filled with year round fanatical baseball fans who live, eat and sleep baseball. We connect off-season and we keep baseball alive even when it’s -20 below like it’s been the last few days.
I want to thank ROOT SPORTS for making January a month to remember. I want to thank all of the Rockies fans who submitted Rockies essays to the Rant and my readers and friends who visit the Rant on a regular basis.
Big things are going to happen this season because as far as I’m concerned…
“It’s the Year of the Fan”
And I resemble that.
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter. No fantasies here, I’m the real deal.
A Look Ahead…In My Head
1-28-11 Blogging in the Year 2015
The Year is 2015. Mark the father of MLBlogs has just taken a position as an assistant to Bud Selig. The powers that be decided that my ideas for the Blogosphere were so cutting edge that I should succeed Mark.
I accepted the job as Top Dog of MLBlogs.com under the condition that I be allowed to stay in Colorado and work from home as often as possible.
They agreed and I devoted myself full-time to changing the way the MLBlogosphere operates.
Some of my new ideas for the MLBlogosphere include:
MLB Media passes for MLBlogs who have reached a certain pre-established level. I believe once you’ve earned it you should be able to step up your game. A MLB Media pass would certainly give a blogger the ability to do that. Promote from within just like the Rockies.
I believe the front page of MLBlogs.com should change frequently. In 2015 a new blogger is featured daily. I remember seeing myself as the “Featured Blog” for the first time and it blew me away. I swear I told everyone on the planet I knew and had them check it out.
Little inspirational stuff like that can spark interest in your blog and really gets your creative juices flowing when you realize you have new readers.
I would change the “Latest Leaders List” and split it into two categories, American and National League.
Every January there would be an online MLBlogs awards ceremony in which winners for the previous year awards would be announced.
There would be awards for:
“Blog of the Year“… One for the National League and one for the American League as voted on by MLBloggers.
Best Creative use of a Blog
Most improved blogger.
Best Pictures
Best Writing
Best Family Blog
Best Blogger under Eighteen
I believe in rewarding hard work and I believe supporting the blogging community. Giving MLBloggers some recognition and inspiration is an investment in the future of sports writing/blogging.
Since we’re visiting the year 2015, here are some highlights.
Zack Hample has become the first person to construct a home built entirely of baseballs. When asked about retiring Zack laughed and said “Are you kidding I still need a garage”.
The Happy Youngster had to switch careers because he was recruited by Major League Baseball as an official Baseball Authenticator.
The Ray Renegade moves from Florida to Cooperstown and fulfills his lifelong dream to be the “Director of Storytelling” at the Baseball Hall of Fame. He couldn’t be happier.
Anyone caught trying to incite “The Wave” is arrested, removed from the stadium and fined $1000.00 .
Rockies mascot Dinger’s suit is destroyed in an “accidental” fire.
Shortly thereafter ”REX” the new Rockies mascot is born. Yep he’s a dinosaur like Dinger…only cool.
Coors Field becomes home to the first medical marijuana dispensary in Major League Baseball.
The “Purple Row Mile High Seats” inside Coors are now more popular than ever
There are lots more changes in 2015.
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter…Just giving you a peek inside my crystal balls.
Tag Along With Me at Rockies Fest Three
1-22-11
Rockies Fest…Go there once you’ll be there twice.
For me Rockies Fest symbolizes the very beginning of the baseball season. It’s my first exposure to the players since the end of the previous season and I get to wander Coors Field, take pictures, get autographs and hang out with other extreme Rockies fans.
What could be better?
I also was able to hand out Rockies Fest tickets to the Rockpile Rant’s “Rockies Essay” winners, Ken, Dave and Johnny.
Here’s Ken and his son.
Here’s Dave and his girlfriend.
Here’s Johnny.
I just want to thank everyone who took the time to submit an essay. I really enjoyed reading them and getting to know a little bit about you.
Leave a comment and let us know how your Rockies Fest went?
Here’s R-Luv..Just as excited as she could be.
Blake and his buddy.
After all the tickets were handed out the kids and I got in line.
Here’s Gary and Alannah X
The first thing on the agenda was the players/coaches interview at 10:30. So with an hour to kill we headed over to the ROOT SPORTS desk to see if Tom Helmer was around.
When we arrived at the interview area Tom came up and gave us a big friendly welcome. Hunter and Mylee decided that they wanted to get interviewed by Tom and Tracy Ringolsby. Usually there’s a line but at this point the only one in front of us was Ken(essay winner) and his son….So we got in line.
This was the first time I was able to shake hands with Tracy Ringolsby. I was really nervous but Tracy’s such a cool guy I wasn’t nervous for long.
Here’s Tom and Tracy interviewing Hunter and Mylee.
I’d like to thank Tom Helmer for taking the time to introduce me to a few very nice people from ROOT SPORTS. I have to say ROOT SPORTS has really nailed it.
From what I’m told and can see ROOT SPORTS is about the fan and I like that because the Rockpile Rant is about the fan.
As soon as the kids were done with their interview we were escorted over to where ROOT SPORTS was filming the Rockies commericals. The kids went first. I’m not quite sure if they ever got their timing right but they sure had fun sitting up there.
I was up next and I noticed how quiet and reserved everyone was being so I wanted to bump thing up a bit. I was reading a card that said “You’re watching ROOT SPORTS” and I did my best to represent the Rockpile Rant and the Rantics. Loud and proud baby.
It seemed like they liked it but who knows?
I also was given the chance to talk about Ubaldo’s no-hitter. I didn’t think I did so good but each time I do something like this I get a little bit less nervous. Thank you ROOT SPORTS for this extremely unique opportunity. It was a great experience and the kids and I loved it.
Apparently next season the Rockies are going to put pictures of their fans on the season tickets. How cool is that? You can bet our smiling mugs took the time to pose for those shots. How fun would that be attending the actual game in which your face is on the ticket?
At this point we needed to get to our player/coach interview. This interview session was hosted by Drew Goodman and Alanna Rizzo.
Check it out.
Here’s video from the session.
We had to leave the interview a few minutes early as it was time to get in line for our first autograph session. Rumor had it that the guy who signed right before we got there was Todd Helton. As we were standing in line Douglas walked by and told us that he was pretty sure Tulo would be signing for us.
As luck would have it Douglas was right.
Here’s a shot of Tulo signing for Mylee sport’n a fresh haircut. Tulo’s usually upbeat but today he seemed like he didn’t want to be there.
I wished “the duece” a good season and we were off explore Coors Field before the next session.
While wandering around we bumped into catcher Wilin Rosario and he signed for Mylee and Hunter.
Mylee picking a winner.
Ian Stewart getting his Rockband on.
Time to get in line for Autograph session two….Dexter Fowler
Dexter was all smiles and was talking with everyone. I really hope Dexter has a breakout year. He’s one of my favorite Rockies.
With more time to kill we headed into the bowels of Coors Field.
It’s become almost a tradition for me to leave my Ranter card in the Rockies lockers. With a quick flick of the wrist you can usually get the cards close.
This year I took a few pictures. Here’s the Ranter card next to the left of Dexter Fowlers gym bag.
Aaron Cooks locker sporting a Ranter card in the right corner.
Todd Helton’s locker. I missed this year and my card landed on the floor.
Tulo’s locker, unfortunately the card landed upside down.
Yoda…He was perched on top of a television in the Rockies locker room.
Here’s Ubaldo’s entire uniform and then some from his no-hitter in Atlanta last season.
..
Even his dirty socks.
The original Dinger suit. I still think Dinger should be a black and silver T-Rex but whatcha gonna do?
Coors Field groundbreaking.
Memorabilia from 2007.
The last autograph sesssion of the day was Glenallen Hill and Chris Nelson. Here’s Glenallen signing for Hunter.
Both of these guys were in a great mood and were chatting up the folks in line.
Here’s Mylee’s dog.
Here’s what I managed to get autographed today.
On our way out of Coors Field.
As I was getting ready to post this entry I received an email from essay winner Dave. He sent me a couple pictures and informed me he was able to snag thirty two autographs. Ten minor leaguers, four coaches and eighteen current major leaguers.
Check out Dave’s Coors Field sign…WOW!
Dave got lucky and ran into Jason Giambi.
I was on the hunt for Giambi all day. Thanks to Geoff for sending me texts as to Jason’s whereabouts but for some reason I kept missing the slugger.
That my friends is how you do it. Props to you Dave you worked it brotha.
A lot of baseball teams do something similiar to Rockies Fest but not all of them. Rockies fans are lucky we get this day to wander the entirety of Coors field, visit and chat with players and get to see precious baseball memorabila from historic Rockies games.
I feel privledged every time I’ve attended this event and honored to be a Colorado Rockies fan and their # 1 MLBlogger.
Thanks to all the Rockies fans who walked up to me and introduced themelves. I really enjoy meeting the baseball fans who read the Rockpile Rant. Thanks to ROOT SPORTS I think this year is going to be the “Year of the Fan”.
Make no mistake we Rockies fans embrace that concept.
A huge thanks goes out to Dan because we all know “He’s the Man”. I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter.
Baseball season has officially begun…D
RANTICS…Give FSN your Best at Rockies Fest
1/18/11
Normally I don’t get too excited when opening my email. That wasn’t the case today. After finishing my physical therapy in Boulder (props to my Physical Therapist Erin), I headed home to Nederland, logged in and checked my Yahoo account. Sitting there in my inbox was an email from Tom Helmer of FSN Rocky Mountain/Root Sports with a header that said “Want to be on TV?”
That email header not only made me smile but it got my full attention. Here’s what’s going on. During the Rockies Fest FSN/Root Sports will be shooting a Rockies promotional commericial.
Tom asked that I round up the Rantics that will be attending Rockies Fest and we all head over to the FSN/Root Sports booth. What will happen then is you will read a few lines and then you’ll be asked you to comment on some of your favorite Rockies moments and what it’s like to be a Rockies fan.
Simple right? Maybe but…
You can bet they’re only going to use the best ones so I suggest really putting some thought into this. How cool would it be to be in a commercial plugging the Rockies?
I don’t know about you but I’ve yet to tire seeing myself on TV. To date that consists of a couple of quick flashes on TV while I was chasing a home run balls, the FSN Top of the Rockies Fan Choice show and hanging out at Coors Field for the post game show so I can make sure the Rockpile Ranter jersey gets some TV luv.
The Rantics are the most loyal, hardcore and supportive group of baseball fans out there. I anticipate we’re going to do a great job on Saturday for FSN/Root Sports.
Rantics… Be ready and have fun with this I know the kids and I will.
Get your best Rockies gear together and I’ll see you at Rockies Fest on Saturday morning.
I’m “D” The Rockpile Ranter…Just doing more of that cool stuff with the Rantics I keep telling you about…
Go Rockies…D
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