March 5, 1995
News and Notes by RANDY KARRAKER (3.5.95)
Although the Cardinals replacement team consists of names like Howard Prager
at first, Gary Shickles pitching and Ricky Ward at third, don't be surprised
if some major changes take place in the regular Cardinal lineup once the
strike ends. It appears that a Mark Whiten for St. Louisan Scott Cooper
deal is all but done once the impasse is settled. Would Todd Zeile move
to first? Not necessarily. The Cards would like to move him to San Diego
for Andy Benes who, depending on the settlement, will be an unrestricted
or restricted free agent. Then the Cards would complete their pitch to former
Expo Larry Walker, and he would play first. The Redbird lineup would have
Bernard Gilkey in left, Ray Lankford in center, Brian Jordan in right, an
infield of Cooper, Ozzie, Geronimo Pena and Walker, with Tom Pagnozzi behind
the plate. That would be perhaps the best in the league. The starting rotation
would be Andy Benes, Danny Jackson, Allen Watson, Donovan Osborne (who looks
terrific down in Florida) and perhaps Rheal Cormier. Some in the Cards'
organization think Alan Benes, Andy's younger brother, is the best pitcher
the Cards have now, and could be one of the starters. The bullpen would
have Tom Henke, Rene Arocha (if his elbow is healthy), Rich Rodriguez, Bryan
Eversgerd, and then two more from among a group of Tom Urbani, Omar Olivares,
John Habyan, Vicente Palacios and rule V pickup Rich DeLucia. Not a bad
team.
The Blues spent the week on a working vacation in Florida. Much more vacation
than work, except for Brendan Shanahan, who was arrested on a minor charge
after a bar scuffle. Shanahan may get the line of the year for his quote
"They told me to come down here and get myself all rested. I misunderstood
and thought they said get myself arrested." Still no Craig Janney trade,
although Mike Keenan says Montreal and the Islanders are not interested.
A San Jose deal seems likely. They have a load of young talent.
The Rams vote by NFL owners will probably take place on March 14. Despite
all the posturing by the league and its officials about keeping teams in
their towns, the bottom line was laid out by 49er President Carmen Policy.
He was the first league executive to admit that if the move is rejected,
the Rams will sue and move anyway. And that suit, along with one from St.
Louis' FANS Inc., could be for a gazillion dollars. After just finishing
paying Al Davis, and with Billy Sullivan and Victor Kiam suits still pending,
do NFL owners want to risk losing that much money, when they can make a
ton in St. Louis? Me thinks not.
Finally, 11,000 fans that requested the least expensive PSLs were victims
of the "bumpdown rule" under which those that were bumped from
more expensive classifications were bumped to their second, and sometimes
less expensive, choice of seats. Thomas Eagleton took the blame for the
unfortunate circumstance, but he gets blame for doing too good of a job.
Nobody foresaw the incredible response to the campaign (74,000 requests),
and if they had, the rules would have been implemented differently. As it
is, a total of 28,000 people that requested season tickets will be vying
with everyone else for single game ducats. Hopefully they'll get a priority
chance for those tickets before those that didn't turn in a PSL application.
EDITOR'S NOTE: An unnamed teammate of Shanahan, watching the Blues winger
mishandle a pass during a Florida scrimmage the day after Shanahan's arrest,
was overheard saying "He looks handcuffed out there."
The Blues and Iron Mike by ROB RAMAGE
(3.5.95)
Early in the season Mike Keenan stated that he did not feel that his team
was ready to compete for the Stanley Cup. On Feb. 29, after defeating the
Toronto Maple Leafs, Keenan stated that his team was moving from being a
contender to a favourite.
Strong words. Backed up by a 12-5-1 record. No boasting, no gloating, just
cold hard "Iron Mike" reality.
The Blues are beginning to take on the character of their coach. They have
not totally arrived but they appear to be on the right path. The Craig Janney
situation is no longer front and center. It is amazing how winning can calm
a tempest. But it will be interesting to see what value they can get for
Janney. A playmaking center to replace him and a defenseman are needed.
Personnel changes will continue to be made. Keenan went right to the trade
deadline last year to add the components he felt necessary to make the New
York Rangers the Stanley Cup champions.
His sights are set on post-season success. A very calculating course has
been mapped out to arrive there. There will be some carnage along the way.
The St. Louis Blues and their fans want a winner. This man wins...at any
price.
Hunstein Does Spring Training by JIM HUNSTEIN
(3.5.95)
It looks like we're going to have to suffer along, at least for a little
while, with (shudder) replacement players, herein after referred to as RP.
Which is an appropriate reference since that's the reverse of PR. And fielding
a team of has-beens, wanna-bes, never-weres, and where-the-hell's-my-gloves
and trying to pass them off as major league players is about as opposite
of good public relations as trying to promote the Mary Baker Eddy Memorial
Hospital or the All-Amish Pinball Championships.
Anyway, according to Mark Lamping, the Cards' president and the subject
of a recent Q & A (good Qs, great As) session run exclusively right
here in St. Louis Sports Online, the organization is going to go ahead and
spring train a bunch of RP. Rumor has it that they'll be wearing the beloved
birds-on-the-bat uniforms, but the birds' little toes will be crossed. While
that interview was good, parts had to be left out due to space limitations
and other factors. Every writer knows that the best stuff usually ends up
on the cutting room floor. So some of Lamping's more, ahem, interesting,
comments are included here. So, in the immortal words of Jim Lange on the
old Dating Game, heeeeere they aaare...
10. "I really look forward to having the replacement players playing
for us. And I'm sure the fans will accept them. Of course, I bet on the
Chargers."
9. "Convicted? No, I've never been convicted."
8. "Which end of the visitor's dugout should we put the hornets' nest?"
7. "No, I seldom wear pants around the office."
6. "We really went to natural grass at Busch so my kid could get a
real job mowing the lawn."
5. "We pretty much view replacement players as temps who can't type."
4. Can I say 'bite me' on the Internet?"
3. "There's absolutely no truth to the rumor that Fredbird will be
played this season by Maxvill."
2. "Believe it or not, Bud Bowl was fixed."
1. "All done? Great! It's Miller time!"
In the interview, Lamping said all the players will be taught about the
history and tradition of the franchise and what it means to be a St. Louis
Cardinal. And they have brought in two top new coaches who know well such
intangibles. They are none other than Lou Brock, king of the basepaths,
and Bob Gibson, king of the inside of the plate. They know a thing or two
about winning, but they will have their work cut out for them. Before they
can teach the recruits what it means to be a Cardinal, they'll have to cover
some of the more basic aspects of the game since these RP will be pretty
much clueless. To help them out, here are the...
Top 10 Tips From Lou Brock to the Replacement Players
10. When in doubt, turn left when you get to the little white square.
9. Who are you gonna listen to? Me, or that swarthy guy who's never stolen
a base in his life? Now let's see an edge on those spikes.
8. No shortcuts across the pitcher's mound.
7. If you dive headfirst, spit tobacco juice on the shoes of the shortstop,
not the umpire.
6. You can't steal first. Or center.
5. The cup is part of the uniform, Martina.
4. Sell insurance on your own time, not while leading off first.
3. The groin you pull must be your own.
2. Stop sucking up and take that goofy umbrella off your head.
1. Don't touch yourself there. That's the bunt sign.
Top 10 Tips From Bob Gibson to the Replacement Players
10. There's no crying in baseball!
9. $50 bonus to anyone who knocks down a batter. $100 if there's blood.
8. For you cross-over cricket players, "cup check" is not tea
time.
7. You're a pitcher in the majors. You ought to be able to at least bunt.
Or else I'll start pitching batting practice.
6. Even at only 50 mph, you can hurt someone.
5. A good glare and a bad attitude is worth 50 points off your ERA.
4. May I call your attention to this chart. Here are the best places to
hit a batter to maximize his pain.
3. Nice hustle, but try not to main our catcher, Mr., um, Roen, is it?
2. Stop saying "Fries are done" every time the phone rings.
1. Beaning the umpire is not going to get you any borderline calls.
StLSO Media Watch: Sportsradio $$$ by
BRIAN CRAWFORD and MARK BAUSCH (3.5.95)
Chicago media trends seem to arrive in St. Louis a few years after hitting
the Windy City. This week it was announced that Diamond Broadcasting had
reached an agreement with Group W Broadcasting that would result in Group
W's acquisition of two Chicago-based radio stations: WXRT-FM (a truly progressive
rock station that, in the opinion of many, is one of the best, if not THE
best, station of its kind in the United States) and WSCR-AM, one of two
all-sports stations in Chicago (WMVP-AM is the other). The reported purchase
price: a cool $60 million. WSCR's share of the purchase price is estimated
to be $15 million, an impressive figure when one considers that (a) Diamond
spent only $1.1 million to start up the station three years ago; and (b)
WSCR is at present a daytime-only station, although late last year Diamond
received FCC permission to broadcast 24 hours-a-day, and was set to invest
about $6 million to erect new transmission towers.
What is interesting and sports-relevant about this transaction is that Group
W already owns WMAQ-AM, a 50,000 watt clear channel news and sports station
that currently owns the broadcasting rights to the Bulls and White Sox.
Just what Group W plans to do with 'MAQ and the Score is at present up in
the air...but it seems likely that the Score will be used as a back-up when
'MAQ has more than one event to broadcast.
Finally, what does all of this have to do with St. Louis? In the Gateway
City, all-sports KFNS has recently revamped their schedule and hired high-profile
personalities such as Craig Hawksley and Bernie Miklasz. Initial impressions
of Hawksley, who works morning drive-time with KSDK's Frank Cusumano, suggest
that he is very good on sports radio.
KFNS is clearly positioning itself to capitalize on the sports boomlet that
has engulfed St. Louis, and may become an attractive buy-out target for
a larger St. Louis station (KMOX? KSD?) that desires additional flexibility
in terms of event broadcasting. Factors in favor of such a transaction include
the recent deregulation that now allows companies to own several stations
in a single market. Complications include the issue of signal strength:
KFNS-AM 590's signal doesn't seem to be as powerful as the larger and more
established St. Louis radio bellwethers.
One thing is certain: the Chicago deal, and KFNS's recent hires, provide
further evidence that there are huge dollars in sports radio right now...and
the big players are willing to do whatever it takes to get in on the action.
March 12, 1995
News and Notes by RANDY KARRAKER (3.12.95)
The fateful (at least if the NFL has its way) vote to decide where the Rams
will play is scheduled to take place this week in Phoenix. Reports that
commissioner Paul Tagliabue will recommend a no vote are just a bit overblown.
It seems that owners are concerned about how much money the Rams will make,
and want some of it for themselves. Basically, club president John Shaw
and owner Georgia Frontiere will be put in a position of having to "buy"
votes. It's no coincidence that the spin from other owners has turned to
a concern for the L.A. market and a desire for league stability. All propaganda.
The bottom line here is money. If the planned move is rejected by owners,
the Rams and St. Louis FANS Inc. already have the framework for lawsuits,
which could result in a $400 million windfall. Regardless of what happens
this week, expect the Rams to play in St. Louis. One more note...there's
no guarantee the vote will take place in Phoenix. There are more meetings
in Jacksonville in May. Would owners hold off until then?
The Blues trade of Craig Janney to San Jose for defenseman Jeff Norton and
a draft pick certainly does seem like a steal for the Sharks. Janney is
a 100 point man, a competitor, and one of the elite passers in the league.
However, even though the Blues wound up putting nearly $500,000 in San Jose's
pocket to cover part of Janney's salary, other GMs...especially those from
contending teams, weren't falling all over each other in the pursuit of
Janney. Hartford was interested, centerless New Jersey flirted, and of course
the Sharks got him. It's possible that the perception of Blues fans of Janney,
and the perceptions of people in the league, are quite different. Ultimately,
with Mike Keenan in charge, fans must realize that the Blues have quit collecting
stars, and started collecting puzzle pieces that can win them a Stanley
Cup.
Observers tell me the best player so far among the Cardinal replacements
is lefthanded hitting outfielder Anthony Lewis, who played at Arkansas last
year. He has moved from a suspect to a prospect. Many young players that
decided not to play in spring games missed such an opportunity. Another
player in a good position is shortstop Bert Green. He has shown the ability
to go into the hole and throw a runner out. Current Redbird shortstop Ozzie
Smith doesn't have the arm to throw good runners out, and Jose Oquendo can't
get to the hole. With a dearth of mature shortstops in the organization,
Green could be positioning himself to succeed Ozzie, if all goes well.
Finally, the St. Louis Ambush soccer team drew nearly 15,000 to the Kiel
center for Friday night's loss to Buffalo. NFL owners take note. There must
be A LOT of disposable income and time in St. Louis.
Blues News (3.12.95)
At his standard post-game press conference following Tuesday night's Anaheim
game (4.1.2 of this issue), Blues Coach/GM Mike Keenan appeared to be simultaneously
pleased and puzzled. He pointed out that the Blues appeared to display more
intensity during Sunday night's Dallas game (4.1.1), despite the fact that
the Blues lost the game to the Stars 2-1. Quoting Keenan--"This [the
Anaheim game] was a strange game. There was no flow to it. Both teams played
very sloppy hockey." Keenan also said that "Curtis made some big
stops..." but that overall he was not surprised that his team's superior
effort vs. Dallas (relative to their effort vs. Anaheim) resulted in a loss,
because "that's hockey."
When asked Tuesday night about Blues center/left wing Dave Roberts, who
played his first NHL game vs. Dallas, Keenan said that "he has hockey
intelligence...and has good bloodlines, you know...but he's not a young
man anymore...and he has to decide whether he wants to make the commitment
necessary to play at the NHL level."
Finally, when asked about any lingering effects of the Janney situation
on the team, Keenan said that "the bad effects were gone when Craig
decided to leave the team." Furthermore, Keenan took pains to point
out that, compared to last year's team, this Blues squad that suited up
for Anaheim has 15 new faces, and that it takes time to integrate all of
the new pieces into a coherent package.
After the Anaheim game, Brett Hull echoed Keenan's comments about the flow
of the game, telling reporters that it [the Blues/Ducks game] was "a
boring, dull game." Keep in mind that the Golden Brett scored two goals
vs. the Ducks.
And Steve Duchesne, when asked about his own play, responded that "I
think I'm playing the best hockey of my career...I may not be putting up
the numbers that I have in the past but I feel I'm playing very well in
my own end and I want to be a part of this team."
Newcomer Jeff Norton, acquired in the Craig Janney trade, spoke to the press
between the first and second periods of the Anaheim game. Norton seemed
quiet and respectful, looking as if he was a polite houseguest at a new
mansion. When asked about Mike Keenan and his coaching methods, Norton repeatedly
made the same two points: "I want to form my own opinions on Coach
Keenan" and "I know that I have to work harder in my own end."
Good advice for us all.
Following Thursday night's Calgary game (4.1.3), Blues Coach/GM Mike Keenan
looked as if he had seen a number of good signs about his St. Louis club.
He was positively beaming when asked about his team's intensity vs. the
Flames. And when asked how his team now looks, he rattled off scores of
that night's ongoing games involving Detroit and Chicago, his team's closest
competitors. In other words, Keenan wanted to make it clear that he was
concerned with the Blues overall standing in the league, and that he felt
it was important to be competing to be first overall in the league. Why?
Well, then future opponents would then point to the Blues as one of their
tougher games...and Iron Mike was anxious to see how his Blues would respond
to such a challenge.
Challenge. Mike Keenan seems to like that word. It may be an appropriate
word to describe his coaching philosophy.
The Calgary game marked Jeff Norton's debut with the Blues. When informed
that he was +4 for the game, Norton said "Yeah, it seemed like I was
on for a lot of our goals." Surprisingly, Norton was paired with Al
MacInnis, who, in addition to being the team's best offensive defenseman,
is probably tops on the defensive side of the redline as well. Norton said
that he was informed that he would be playing with MacInnis on the previous
day (Wednesday), and that playing with Al was "awesome...I just followed
his lead".
Whitey Herzog Q and A by MARK BAUSCH (3.12.95)
There are few more beloved figures in recent St. Louis sports history than
ex-Cardinal manager Whitey Herzog. A midwesterner by birth, Herzog managed
three KC Royals teams to Western Division titles in the 1970's. His epic
American League Championship Series battles with the Yankees resulted in
much of the baseball lore from that era. That the big bad Yankees won all
three of those playoff series almost seemed to enhance the White Rat's image
as an underdog type of manager.
Herzog gradually wore out his welcome in KC, and in late summer of 1980,
he was hired to serve as the Cards manager by chief honcho August Busch.
For a time, Herzog also wore the Cards' GM hat.
As GM, Herzog left his imprint on the team during the winter meetings that
took place after the 1980 season. In addition to making news with several
blockbuster trades during those meetings, the national press reported that
Herzog made most of the deals while sitting at a table in the lobby of the
hotel where the meetings were held. Baseball fans loved hearing about this
sort of thing. And when most of those trades built the foundation of the
1982 World Champion Cardinal team...Herzog's place in Cardinals history
was secure. The fact that the Cards went to the World Series in 1985 and
1987 added further luster to the notion that the decade of the 1980's was
the decade of Whiteyball.
So when it was announced that Whitey Herzog was scheduled to appear at a
local auto dealership while doing a radio show hosted by KFNS' Bob Ramsey,
the StLSO bureau prepared a list of questions for Mr. Herzog.
I arrived at the dealer showroom at about 5:30. It was hard not to spot
Herzog. He was wearing a sport jacket (no tie), and was holding court in
a showroom that contained three cars and about a dozen people. Of the humans
present in the showroom itself, two or three were KFNS personnel, three
or four were car salespeople (insert car salesperson joke here), and four
or five were fans interested in getting Herzog's autograph. In other words,
the interview possibilities seemed very good.
A young dealership employee greeted me not long after I arrived. She quickly
surmised that I was not there to buy a Hyundai, and encouraged me to "go
right up and talk to him". I really didn't have to make the first move,
as Herzog walked toward me and said hello.
After explaining St. Louis Sports Online to Herzog, I asked him if it was
OK to conduct a short "interview". He didn't really respond...so
I went ahead with some questions anyway. If the interview seems uneven...well,
that's because it was. Regular StLSO readers can probably guess what the
first questions were.
StLSO: You managed two teams that won over 100 games in the regular
season--the 1977 Royals (who won 102 games) and the 1985 Cardinals (who
won 101 games). In a fictional World Series played between these two teams,
each at the top of their respective games, who would've won?
Herzog: Without question, the '77 Royals were the best team that
I ever managed. We had over 170 stolen bases, only 80-some odd caught stealing,
and over 130 home runs. Darrell Porter probably should have been MVP. My
three best starters, [Dennis] Leonard, [Jim] Colborn, and [Paul] Splittorff,
combined to win 60 games that year...[Larry] Gura and [Mark] Littell were
strong in the 'pen. And we should've beaten the Yankees in the playoffs
that year. Remember, we were up 2-1 and went back to Royals Stadium for
Game 4. My first baseman, John Mayberry, had a very bad fourth game defensively.
He couldn't catch the ball...and I held him out of Game 5. I think he had
some off-the-field problems at that time. But the thing that got me about
those years was Rich Gossage. You know, if we [the Royals] had signed Gossage,
when he was a free agent, instead of the Yankees, we would've had a dynasty
in KC. I really believe that.
Now, about the '85 Cardinals. I honestly believe that John Tudor, in 1985,
was the best pitcher that I ever managed. And remember, we had no Sutter
in 1985. I had to use several guys, including Lahti and Dayley. But I believe
the '77 Royals were the best team I ever managed.
StLSO: You probably heard that former American League umpire Ron
Luciano recently passed away. What are your recollections of Luciano as
an umpire?
Herzog: Luciano was a good umpire until he became an act.
StLSO: When you were managing, did you have a favorite umpire?
Herzog: No.
StLSO: To me, an amazing statistic is that Joe DiMaggio, in his entire
career, hit 361 home runs while striking out only 369 times. No power hitter
in the sixties, seventies, eighties, or nineties even comes close to approaching
that ratio...and many of today's sluggers strike out three times as often
as they homer. What has changed? What's different about today's brand of
baseball?
Herzog: Everything. You know, in the early 1960's, I think it was
1961, Jake Green, a catcher with the Tigers, set the major league record
by striking out 141 times. Then, two years later, Dave Nicholson came alone,
and despite playing only 130 or so games, Nicholson came along and struck
out 175 times.
StLSO: Do you think that the slider, relief pitching, and a different
strike zone are among the likely reasons for the changes?
Herzog: Why sure. All of those reasons sound good to me. And you
know, when I played, we even held the bat different. We kind of laid it
back and just tried to put the bat on the ball. No one bats like that any
more.
StLSO: Pete Rose comes to mind as someone who could put that bat
on the ball with regularity.
Herzog: Yeah you're right, but you know...you can't win with a team
full of Pete Roses. You need a big bopper like Joe Morgan in order to win
baseball games.
StLSO: Danny Jackson, a starting pitcher who has a total of six complete
games to his credit in the past six years, recently signed a 10 million
dollar contract with the Cardinals. In your opinion, can Jackson be a number
one starter for St. Louis this year?
Herzog: [Lengthy pause and slowly formed smile.] Well, you know...Jackson
has been a winner several years ago. He won 23 games for the Reds awhile
back and was in large part responsible for their division title that year.
But more recently Jackson has been hurt, and was like a number ten starter
for some teams. So it remains to be seen.
StLSO: You probably heard that Sparky Anderson has refused to manage
the Tigers in any games that include replacement players. If you were managing
today, would you manage replacement players?
Herzog: That's a tough one...but I don't think so. I really don't
think so.
StLSO: Cards President Mark Lamping recently said that you sometimes
wish that you had gone over to Commissioner Ueberroth's box in the ninth
inning of Game 6 of the '85 Series, because Don Denkinger admitted to you
that he blew the call at first base. Is that a true story?
Herzog: Well, yes it is. I still wonder what would've happened if
I'd gone over to Ueberroth and demand that he come out to first base and
hear Denkinger tell him what Denkinger had told me. In other words, an umpire
had blown a call that could cost us the World Series...and he admitted that
he was wrong. I still wish I'd have done that.
At this point, Ramsey called Herzog back to the KFNS microphone for another
on-air segment. Herzog was fun to watch, and Ramsey was very good at bringing
out the best of Whitey. Herzog has an excellent memory for statistics that
even the most ardent baseball fans might think are a bit arcane. He is also
a marvelous storyteller...the handful of people who were watching Herzog,
Ramsey, and KFNS' Mike Smallwood engage in radio banter were laughing out
loud at most of Herzog's stories.
It was also obvious that Herzog enjoys "working the room" and
talking baseball (even with children). Furthermore, baseball's labor problems
seem to put the big hurt on Whitey...it was here that he sounded like the
baseball fan that he is as he bemoaned the current player strike.
Finally, StLSO readers should also know that repeated placement and removal
of radio headphones from Herzog's head seem to have little effect on his
fair-haired flattop...his hair always bounces back stronger than ever.
March 19, 1995
News and Notes by RANDY KARRAKER (3.19.95)
Upon the rejection of the Rams move to St. Louis by NFL owners, the team
and FANS Inc. have indicated that they will file a $750 million anti-trust
suit by March 31. Because of the litigation, it appears unlikely the Rams
will play here (in St. Louis) before 1996. Keep in mind, if the plaintiffs
get everything they ask for, anti-trust damages are trebled...so the windfall
will be $2.25 BILLION for the Rams and Fans INC. At the vote, club president
John Shaw thought he had a majority of owners on his side, but was trounced
21-3, with six abstentions. Both Fans Inc. president Thomas Eagleton and
Congressman Richard Gephardt said this happens often in Congress, when it
appears a vote isn't going your way, you blow with the wind. Eagleton added
that its possible some of those owners didn't want to alienate Paul Tagliabue.
Tagliabue floated the idea of moving the Bengals to St. Louis, but nobody
has contacted St. Louis about that.. At this precise moment, the Bengals
probably have the worst ownership in the NFL, and would not be welcomed
by me. (Non factor, since FANS Inc. and the Rams are very tight.)
How about Blues coach Mike Keenan, questioning the work ethic of Brendan
Shanahan? Obviously Keenan didn't see Shanny skating around with about a
twenty stitch gash on his lip late last season twenty minutes after it was
inflicted. Shanahan has not made a good first impression on his new coach
because of illness, but Keenan, as a twelve year veteran of the NHL and
a Shanahan coach in the Canada Cup, knows better. Trying to motivate through
the media.
The Blues three game winless streak really hurts in their pursuit of the
best overall record in the league. Keenan was gunning for that, so Game
Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals could be played at the Kiel Center. The
Red Wings are off to the best start in their history, and look to be odds
on favorites to win the Western Conference.
Single game Cardinal tickets went on sale March 18. How many people will
show up for replacement baseball in St. Louis? It's tough to predict, but
keep this in mind...50,000 people showed up for fan appreciation day, when
there WASN'T a game. By the way, Ty Griffin, a former Cubs first round pick
and second baseman for the Cards replacements, apparently has turned the
corner. One St. Pete observer says that Griffin is better right now that
the regular St. Louis second baseman, Geronimo Pena. The Cardinals still
have a deal for Boston third baseman Scott Cooper on hold for when the strike
ends. There may be a roadblock in the pursuit of Montreal rightfielder Larry
Walker. He wants to play right field, and the Redbirds would like him to
play first. We'll keep our eyes peeled. (Isn't that a disgusting idea? Peeled
eyes? Who came up with that?)
Billiken fans have, or will soon, come to the realization that Charlie Spoonhour
is going to win every year. He won every year at SMS (Southwest Missouri
State Univ.), and has here in St. Louis. His outmanned gang outhustled Big
Ten rebounding leaders Minnesota in the first round of the NCAA's, with
the Bills tallest player being 6-6. The Gophers compiled just a six rebound
edge, despite having much more height. The Bills will be bigger next year
with transfers Jamal Johnson and Tyrone Caswell, and some people think prop
48 guard Corey Frazier is better than Erwin Claggett. The Bills are now
in the big time.
Congratulations to Norm Stewart and Mizzou. Against the predictions of most
national "experts", the Tigers beat Indiana in the first round...and
Stewart moved ahead of Bobby Knight with his 660th victory. Mizzou loses
just one player...and should be even better in '95-'96.
Blues News: At the Halfway Point (3.19.95)
All twenty-six NHL teams are scheduled to play 48 games during the lockout-shortened
1995 season. Having played 24 games, the Blues are at the halfway point
of the current campaign. With a record of 14-8-2, how are the Blues faring
under Mike Keenan's direction?
30 points (out of 48 possible) computes to a 62.5% winning percentage, and
104 points over a normal 84 game regular season. As Keenan continues to
drive his team to higher and higher performance levels, it seems that the
Blues have a realistic chance to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals.
But despite the Blues impressive record, there are signs that all is not
well in Keenan-land. Perhaps a majority of the ill feelings result from
the fact that the Blues are 0-2-1 in their last three games. You the readers
can decide for yourselves.
Let's turn first to Iron Mike's comments in a press conference following
his club's 2-1 loss to Detroit (4.1.1). In order, Keenan, in several pointed
remarks, said that:
*credit should be given to Detroit, because they were more emotionally prepared
than the Blues
*Paul Coffey played a great game, in part because he (Coffey) is a great
leader
*the officials weren't prepared for a tough game
*Detroit was a more confident team than the Blues, and a better team
*the game, as played, was a test failed for the Blues
*the Blues need to learn to respond to a setback
*Blues players need a richer base in terms of commitment and need a deeper
confidence base
*the team can't run a one-man show (i.e. Brett Hull)
*the Blues were NOT a two-man show [Hull and Curtis Joseph]; Joseph played
well but has to play consistently well
*the game could serve as a good learning experience for us
Then, in his KMOX radio show prior to the Kings game (4.1.3), Keenan commented
on the team's 6-5 loss to Edmonton (4.1.2). He stated that the club's late
arrival in Edmonton the night prior to the game was "no excuse"
for a game in which the Blues "played poorly". Furthermore, Keenan
said that the play of Brendan Shanahan "is a concern. We need him at
his best or we have no chance in the playoffs. He has had medical excuses.
I'm not sure that he's fully recovered...he's played very very poorly."
And when asked to comment on the play of Curtis Joseph, Keenan said "He
gave up six goals in 30 minutes" at Edmonton.
Then, after being told that Keenan asserted that "He [Shanahan] is
not working...we're not going to tolerate that here..." and [Keenan
continued] "with that kind of remuneration [$3 million/yr] comes responsibility,"
Shanahan told the P-D's Tom Wheatley "That's totally bull. My salary
is not what drives me...I demand a lot from myself, and I play for my teammates.
I've been that way since I put on hockey equipment when I was four years
old. I don't need reminding."
Shanahan also told Wheatley that "I'm his [Keenan's] player, and I'm
going to do what he says. I'm not challenging him at all...I should be battling
the other team and not myself."
Additional Blues' locker room comments after the Detroit game included:
*Glenn Anderson: "Perhaps we suffered from a lack of preparation but
every team goes through that occasionally."
*Brendan Shanahan: "We were ready and prepared...but not quite prepared
enough."
*Guy Carbonneau, when asked whether he agreed with Keenan's assessment concerning
the Blues' preparedness: "I don't know if you could say we weren't
prepared...sometimes you overprepare...and you can be scared to make the
mistake that can cost you a goal. After a tough and penalty-filled first
period, we came back strong and we had our chances."
In summary, it seems that the Blues recent cooling off has caused Keenan
to turn up the heat on his team as a whole and on some of his veteran players
in particular. Even the youngsters have felt the wrath of Iron Mike--Ian
Laperriere, after scoring 16 points in 17 games, was sent to Peoria after
the Edmonton game.
In all likelihood, a long winning streak and all will be back to normal...or
as normal as normal can be on a team led by Mike Keenan, one of the most
successful coaches in today's NHL. It is even possible that Keenan desires
and even grows a certain level of tension in and around his hockey club.
Finally, NHL veteran defenseman Mark Howe, when asked about Keenan (who
he played for four years in Philadelphia), said that "He's a winner.
He's won everywhere that he has coached. His coaching philosophy usually
involves having about five young guys on his team who'll hit everything
in sight...and about ten veterans who he will rely on for most of the minutes.
The veterans will play a lot...and he'll love playing them a lot. But they
might not love playing for him. But Keenan's teams win."
News About the Replacement Cardinals and April
Busch Tickets (3.19.95)
Like it or not, the current crop of Replacement Cardinals are likely to
open the regular season in St. Louis on Monday afternoon, April 3. The ambivalence
that most Cardinals fans feel about the baseball strike and replacement
players in general has come through loud and clear in your MARCH St. Louis
Sports Online reader surveys.
But the owners have made one thing perfectly clear: regular season replacement
games will count as far as the overall 1995 standings are concerned. With
that in mind, listed below are the names of fourteen of the most prominent
Replacement Cardinals (relevant statistics are for spring games through
3.16.95).
POSITION PLAYERS
Charlie Anderson, infielder (attended Mississippi State, batting 0.150)
Steve Biermann, infielder (a St. Louisan, batting .381)
Tony Diggs, outfielder (attended the Univ. of North Florida, batting 0.158)
Ossie Garcia, outfielder (attended Miami Dade JC, batting 0.294)
Ty Griffin, infielder (a former Cubs 1st round draft choice, batting 0.333
with 2 doubles and 1 HR)
Joe Jumonville, 3B (attended Southwest Louisiana, batting 0.304)
Doug Radziewicz, 1B (BS Journalism, Univ. of Georgia, batting .423)
Skeets Thomas, 1B/OF (attended Univ. of South Carolina, batting 0.235)
Jose Velez, outfielder (born in Puerto Rico, batting 0.300)
Chris Wyrick, SS (attended Mizzou, batting 0.235)
PITCHERS
Paul Anderson (attended Florida International Univ., 1-0; 4.09 ERA in 11
innings pitched)
Ray Davis (1-1; 4.63 ERA in 11.2 innings pitched)
Mike Hinkle (Kansas City native; 1-0; 3.00 ERA in 12 innings pitched)
Larry Shikles (Ballwin resident; 0-0; 3.00 ERA in 9 innings pitched)
Will the Replacement Redbirds fly north? Here's hoping that such a migration
can be avoided.
Speaking of April baseball, the Cardinals announced that all tickets for
home games played in the month of April will be discounted 50%, regardless
of the players on the team. In other words, April Field Box seats sell for
$7.00, Loge Reserved seats sell for $5.25, and Bleacher tickets (which are
sold 90 minutes before game time on the day of the game), are priced at
$2.50. Tickets can be purchased by telephone (using Visa or Mastercard)
by calling the Cardinals' Ticket Office at (314)421-2400. A handling charge
of $1.50/ticket (up to a maximum of $7.50/order) is applied to all phone
orders.
NCAA Basketball Results (3.19.95)
*First Round Games
Billikens vs. Minnesota Gophers
St. Louis University, the little engine that could, defeated the Minnesota
Gophers in a 64-61 tussle that went into overtime. The game's last four
shots, all in the last 10 seconds or so, were three point efforts by the
Gophers. All four attempts missed their mark, and the Billikens advance
to the NCAA's second round. The victory was the Bills' first in NCAA play
in 43 years.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: The first part of the following sentence is reprinted each
time that the Bills win.) SLU was led by seniors Scott Highmark, Erwin Claggett,
and H Waldman, who scored 18, 16, and 11 points, respectively. Claggett
also nabbed eight rebounds and contributed five assists as the senior troika
refused to let their team fall to the Gophers.
Vashon Lenard led Minnesota with 18 points. Jayson Walton had 10 points
and 11 rebounds for the Gophers, who outrebounded SLU 44-34.
SLU had a chance to win the game in regulation, but H Waldman's shot from
the left side of the paint rolled off the rim with about 2 seconds remaining
in regulation. SLU's next game is against Wake Forest, the East Region's
#1 seed.
Mizzou vs. Indiana Hoosiers
The Missouri Tigers defeated the Indiana Hoosiers 65-60 in the first game
ever between teams coached by Norm Stewart and Bobby Knight.
The Tigers were led by Paul O'Liney's 22 points. O'Liney's backcourt partner,
Kendrick Moore, chipped in with 15 points, and Derek Grimm had 11. Indiana's
Brian Evans led the Hoosiers with 24 points. Senior Alan Henderson had 18
points and led all players with 10 rebounds. Indiana concludes its season
with a 19-12 record.
SIUC Salukis vs. Syracuse Orangemen
The Salukis played Syracuse even for most of the game before falling to
the Orangemen 96-92. The game was an interesting one in that SIUC converted
on 15 of 23 three point attempts, while Syracuse dominated the inside game
as they scored at will from the paint.
SIUC was led by Chris Carr, who scored 26 points, and freshman Shane Hawkins,
who had 21 points on 7 of 8 shooting from three point land. John Wallace
led the Orangemen with 24 points; Lucious Jackson contributed 22, including
two late free throws.
The victory by Syracuse gives them the right to advance to the tournament's
second round, where they will play Arkansas. SIUC concludes their season,
the third successive year that they lost in the first round of the NCAA
tournament, with a record of 23-9.
Illini vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Tulsa, the Missouri Valley Conference regular season champion, defeated
Illinois 68-62 in a first-round NCAA game in front of 15,100 fans at Albany
NY's Knickerbocker Arena. The game was close throughout but was decided
when Alvin Williamson hit a three point shot with 44 seconds remaining in
the game. The shot gave Tulsa a 64-62 lead...and Kiwane Garris fouled Williamson
on the play. Williamson's conversion of the free-throw made it a four point
play, and Illinois was not able to recover. In the opinion of this viewer,
Garris' blunder typified the Illini's season.
Illinois led at the half, 34-27, and built their lead to 49-38 before Tulsa's
outside shooters (Shea Seals and Williamson) brought them back into the
game. Williamson led Tulsa with 22 points. Garris led the Illini with a
game-high 24 points, on 8-13 shooting from the field.
The loss drops Illinois' record to 19-12.
*Second Round Games
Billikens vs. Wake Forest
In a game that Billiken players and fans will no doubt replay in their minds
countless times, Wake Forest defeated St. Louis University 64-59. Wake Forest,
the East Region's #1 seed, had all they could handle in the pesky Billikens,
who, even in defeat, once again showed the nation why they were enjoyable
to watch.
Even though the Demon Deacons were taller...even though they could move
the basketball inside at will...and even though the Bills converted on only
9 of 39 three point attempts...the Bills were in the game right up to the
end. In fact, the game was tied at 33 at halftime.
In the second half, Wake Forest moved to a 44-38 lead. Scott Highmark responded
by hitting a three pointer. After Wake had scored another inside basket
or three, H Waldman also nailed a trey and Highmark then sank a twisting
ten footer. To cap off their mini-run, two Bills then made a nice defensive
stop as they cornered a Wake Forest ballhandler. But a put-back by Wake
made the score 49-45, only to see Highmark respond with a 2-point shot from
the left baseline.
The teams then traded baskets for awhile until two pivotal plays, both by
6-10 center Tim Duncan, seemed to take a bit of the starch out of SLU. First,
Duncan blocked David Robinson's driving attempt by pinning it against the
backboard. It was an All-America-type play made by an All-America big man.
On the return trip down the court, Duncan accepted a pass from teammate
Scooter Banks and slammed the ball through the hoop. It was a near uncontested
dunk, and seemed to punctuate the fact that SLU had better hit on most of
their remaining three-point shots if they wanted to win the game. The Bills
did not, and Wake Forest advances.
The Bills were led by Highmark's 22 points. Robinson and Claggett each had
12. Amazingly, Jeff Harris had 15 rebounds, while Robinson contributed 10,
and, as a team, the smaller Billikens outrebounded Wake Forest 35-34.
The Bills concluded their season with a record of 23 wins and 8 losses,
and the admiration of many basketball fans across the United States.
You're Okay, It's Just a Bruise reviewed
by MARK BAUSCH (3.19.95)
It's probably a good bet that most StLSO subscribers read an occasional
sports book. One of the most important sports books in several years is
authored by Rob Huizenga, M.D., and is entitled "You're Okay, It's
Just a Bruise". The book's subtitle is "A Doctor's Sideline Secrets
About Pro Football's Most Outrageous Team".
The team is question is the LA Raiders. Huizenga served as a Raider team
doctor for several seasons. He has quite a story to tell...and the story
that he tells is not a pretty one. St. Louisans excited about the possibility
of NFL football returning to St. Louis--Huizenga's book serves as a reminder
that the game ON the field is only the visible (and most appealing) side
of the NFL drama.
In order to try and describe what Huizenga's book is about, it is necessary
to describe Huizenga himself. He was an All-America wrestler at the University
of Michigan, is a graduate of Harvard Medical School, and is a past president
of the NFL physicians association. In other words, he's either "The
Real McCoy" or the biggest faker since Clifford Irving. In the opinion
of this reviewer, Irving (the ersatz Howard Hughes biographer) he is not.
Huizenga was hired in 1983 as the Raiders internist, and resigned from his
position with the Raiders in the fall of 1990 in part as a result of several
events related to a spinal condition suffered by DB Mike Harden. Specifically,
despite opinions of several experts in the field...and repeated cautions
from Huizenga himself, the Raiders chief team physician (and Al Davis confidant)
Robert Rosenfeld, M.D. tried very hard to get Harden approved to play in
a game only one week after he had suffered temporary paralysis in his arms
and legs as a result of an on-field collision.
It was only due to the heroic efforts of Huizenga that Rosenfeld was forced
to admit that Harden's injuries were more than "just a bruise",
which is what Rosenfeld told Harden after Harden asked Rosenfeld "How'd
my neck X-rays turn out?" Harden did miss one game.
Later that season, the Raiders found a doctor in Philadelphia who "passed"
Harden's neck. Huizenga writes that "It's okay for top medical experts
to disagree-it happens all the time-but I was quite upset when I read his
(the Philly M.D.'s) consultation letter...his interpretation of the neck
films was far more favorable than that of the raiologic neck specialists".
There's much much more, and Huizenga explains it much better than I can.
I guess one of the more interesting facts is that the Philadelphia physician
who cleared Harden to play was named the team physician for the Philadelphia
Eagles for the just-concluded 1994 season. Harden himself was forced to
retire at the end of the 1990 season, due to chronic neck pain, temporary
paralysis, and a new fourth cervical hairline fracture. Huizenga's retelling
of watching a Raiders game on TV, after he had resigned his position and
after Harden had been cleared to play, seeing Harden flat on his back, unable
to move while the NBC crew takes the game to a commercial, makes for riveting
reading. Fortunately, Harden "recovered" from this bout with paralysis,
too...but at the conclusion of the book Huizenga writes that Harden "still
has neck pain every day".
I don't want to ruin things for any of you that plan to read Huizenga's
book. There are important chapters that deal with Al Davis and his zest
for winning, steroid use in the NFL, as well as the late Lyle Alzado. Huizenga's
story resonates with the zeitgeist of the nineties in that one can't help
but come away from the book with the notion that the author still has occasional
second thoughts about resigning his position with the Raiders, despite all
that he chronicles.
Nevertheless, the book reads in such a fashion that it results in a near-total
indictment of the way that the NFL, in the person of Al Davis, views its
on-the-field talent. Just something to think about as the NFL has once again
rejected the Gateway City (at least for now).
You're Okay, It's Just a Bruise, by Rob Huizenga, M.D., St. Martin's Press,
$22.95
March 26, 1995
News and Notes by RANDY KARRAKER (3.26.95)
Perhaps in an attempt to diffuse criticism when his team inevitably fails,
Blues coach Mike Keenan came out swinging against team management and players
last week. Keenan complained about the way business had been conducted in
the past, saying that contracts were structured, in effect, to promote individual
goals and fill the arena. He also reiterated his belief that Brendan Shanahan
wasn't playing hard, and added that Brett Hull doesn't really understand
how to win either. From here, it looks like one of two scenarios could be
opening up. Possibility A is that Keenan knows he blew it by trading his
only playmaking center in Craig Janney, and now realizes that winning in
the playoffs is unlikely because of the hole in the offense (although the
addition of Todd Elik from San Jose, for Kevin Miller, could fill some of
the void). Keenan could be setting himself up to blame everyone else, except
himself, when the team fails. Possibility B is that Keenan has had feelers
from another organization, and is trying to alienate himself from his team
and his superiors. It wouldn't be the first time that's happened in hockey,
even with Keenan. One more point about the playmaking center situation.
Keenan was quoted during the week as saying "we went to the finals
in Philadelphia without a playmaking center." Sure you did Mike. Who
did you lose to? The Edmonton Oilers. Who was their number one center? Wayne
Gretzky, a pretty fair playmaker. The days of winning in the NHL without
a top playmaker are long since past, and the sooner Keenan admits that,
the better off all fans will be.
Word out of the Cardinal camp is that owners will present one final, take
it or leave it proposal to players this week. Otherwise, it's off to replacement
ball. If a settlement is reached by April 2, odds are that the regulars
will head to Florida and Arizona for their own spring training, and the
season will be pushed back a month, and reduced to 144 games. Judging by
the quotes from Cincinnati, Houston, Pittsburgh and Chicago, the Cards might
have a chance to dominate the National League Central with replacements.
Says here if the team is winning, fans show up in good numbers at Busch
Stadium...better than Pittsburgh draws for their regulars.
This is the week the Rams either make a deal with the NFL, or file an anti-trust
lawsuit. NFL owners must be thinking back to all the money they paid Al
Davis in a similar suit, especially since the Rams and Fans Inc. have hired
the same attorney, Max Blecher, that represented Los Angeles Coliseum in
Davis' suit. Southern California newspapers quote lawyers as saying the
NFL can put up a good defense. If as expected, the lawsuit is filed, it
will be an interesting and unpredictable court case. Either way, it seems
certain the Rams will play in Southern California in '95.
The club made a great move in re-signing its most active linebacker, Roman
Phifer...to a four year contract. He's one of the best in the league. Also
coming aboard as free agents, from the Raiders, wideout Alexander Wright,
the fastest man in the NFL, and cornerback Torin Dorn. The moves Steve Ortmayer
is making seem to be the right ones, so far.
Congratulations to the Ambush. They beat Baltimore Friday night at the Kiel
Center, and clinched the National Division title. This juggernaut could
provide St. Louis its first pro sports championship since the 1982 Cardinals.
Good luck in the playoffs to Daryl Doran and the boys.
Blues News (3.26.95)
Mike Keenan dominates the Blues News this week. In his role as GM, Keenan
engineered the trade of disgruntled forward Kevin Miller to the San Jose
Sharks. In return for Miller, the Blues obtained centerman Todd Elik. Miller
thus joins ex-Blue Craig Janney in San Jose.
Elik is a 6-2 190 pound centerman that Keenan no doubt hopes will strengthen
the Blues down the middle. The Blues are the fifth NHL organization for
which Elik has played (the Sharks will be Miller's fifth NHL team). In order,
after signing as an undrafted free agent by the Rangers, he has modeled
uniforms for the Kings, the North Stars, the Oilers, and, in the 1993-94
season, the Sharks. The Sharks obtained Elik from Edmonton by claiming him
on waivers after the Oilers released him in the first month of last year's
season.
Elik's lone season with the Sharks was (statistically) the finest of his
five year NHL career--in 75 games, he totaled 25 goals and 41 assists. In
addition, in 14 playoff games with the Sharks, he scored 5 goals and had
five assists.
Elik's role in San Jose was as the team's #2 center...if he can fill the
Blues #2 center position (or any center position), the trade must be viewed
as a plus for St. Louis, since Kevin Miller, like Craig Janney before him,
didn't fit into Keenan's plans.
But exactly what are Mike Keenan's plans? All Blues fans have no doubt committed
to memory Keenan's mantra that "We're getting ready for Game 49".
In the meantime, during the recent Blues road trip (a trip in which the
Blues won only one game), Keenan has publicly criticized the play of Brendan
Shanahan, Curtis Joseph, the power play as a (w)hole, and even his own bosses,
who, he said, have gone about the business of building a winner in St. Louis
all wrong, in that they offered incentives to players based on individual
performance rather than team goals. In a rather humorous interaction with
the media, Brett Hull refused to comment on Keenan's "squabbles"
with Blues upper management (i.e. Jack Quinn and Mike Shanahan), saying
that "I've had my own problems with management".
Hull's metamorphosis this season, has, to date, been remarkable. He seems
to be the singular Blue who knows how to deal with Keenan in public.
The upcoming week looms large for Keenan and his club. The Oilers come to
Kiel on Sunday, March 26. The Blues then travel to Toronto and Chicago for
Monday and Wednesday road games. Janney, Miller, and the Sharks then pay
a visit to Kiel on Friday, March 31. These four games will shed much-needed
light on the future direction of Keenan's Blues, a club that picked up only
3 of a possible 10 points on the recent West Coast road swing.
The Wings are hot and beginning to pull away from the pack, the Stars are
hotter, the Hawks are the Hawks, and Toronto has several talented players
who are playoff-tested. Calgary will most likely finish first in the Pacific
Division, copping the second seed in the playoffs. It isn't inconceivable
that the Blues could finish with anywhere from the third to the sixth seed
in the Western Conference. One thing seems clear--the lockout-shortened
season is working against Keenan and his Blues as the team struggles to
getting accustomed with Iron Mike.
Cardinals News (3.26.95)
Barring a last-minute settlement between the Players Association and Major
League Baseball, the following players are likely to be among those wearing
Cardinal uniforms on Opening Day (April 3). The following list was compiled
with the aid of spring statistics as well as additional information provided
by Cardinal front office staff.
POSITION PLAYERS
Ryan Hall, C
Doug Radziewicz, 1B
Howard Prager, 1B
Ty Griffin, 2B
Chris Wyrick, SS
S. Bethea, SS
Joe Jumonville, 3B
Tony Diggs, OF
Anthony Lewis, OF
Ossie Garcia, OF
Skeets Thomas, 1B/OF
STARTING ROTATION
Paul Anderson
Ray Davis
Mike Hinkle
Larry Shikles
RELIEF PITCHERS
Todd Blake
Jonathan Jenkins
Tony Long (possible fifth starter)
Anthony Magnelli
Jeff Matulevich
Tom Myers
Rams News (3.26.95)
In the wake of the NFL's apparent rejection of the Rams bid to move eastward
to St. Louis, talk of lawsuits abounds. In addition, fans that applied for
PSLs are still without any information about their seat assignments and/or
deposits. FANS Inc. has promised information will be sent to those who applied
for PSLs as soon as it becomes clear where the Rams will play the 1995 season.
As it now stands, March 31 is the deadline for the expected Rams/FANS Inc.
lawsuit vs. the NFL.
There has been some talk of additional negotiations between Rams VP John
Shaw and various NFL representatives, in an attempt to reach some sort of
agreement that would preclude the necessity for legal action. Careful reading
of Jim Thomas' P-D stories suggests that even Thomas, who is as informed
as anyone on the Rams matter, has no firm ideas about what will happen.
As described in Randy Karraker's News and Notes column, the Rams have been
somewhat active on the free agent front. Roman Phifer, the Rams best linebacker
during the 1994 season, was signed to a four year $8.5 million contract,
a deal that included a $2.5 million signing bonus.
The Rams also signed ex-Raiders Alexander Wright, a wide receiver who is
reputed to be the fastest man in the NFL, and Torin Dorn, a cornerback,
to multi-year contracts. Recall that Rams GM Steve Ortmayer previously served
as Al Davis' right-hand man.
Turhon O'Bannon, the half-brother of UCLA basketball stars Ed and Charles
O'Bannon, also signed with the Rams.
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