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Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Ludwick
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Ryan Andrew Ludwick (born July 13, 1978) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Cincinnati Reds. His brother Eric also played four MLB seasons as a pitcher.

Key Information

Playing career

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High school, college, and minor leagues

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Ludwick attended Durango High School in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ludwick then enrolled at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and played for the UNLV Rebels baseball team for three seasons. He was named to the Baseball America all-Freshman team in 1997 after batting .354 with 16 home runs and 68 runs batted in (RBIs) and was All-Western Athletic Conference in 1999, hitting .381 with 13 home runs and 69 RBIs. Ludwick had a .363 career batting average at UNLV.[1]

Ludwick was chosen in the second-round (60th overall) of the 1999 Major League Baseball draft by the Oakland Athletics. He was traded to the Texas Rangers before the 2002 season, along with Gerald Laird, Jason Hart, and Mario Ramos, for first baseman Carlos Peña and pitcher Mike Venafro.

Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, back to minors

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Ludwick batted right-handed and threw with his left hand. In the entire history of Major League Baseball through the 2008 season, and including the National Association of 1871-75 (not currently counted as a major league by MLB), only 57 players who played at least half their games at a position other than pitcher batted right and threw left.[2]

Ludwick made his major league debut with the Rangers in 2002, but his season was cut short when he fractured his hip the same year, an injury which significantly hampered his career. In 2003, Ludwick was traded by the Rangers to the Cleveland Indians for pitcher Ricardo Rodríguez and outfielder Shane Spencer. He was designated for assignment and sent to Triple-A in June 2005.

Toledo Mud Hens

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Ludwick spent the 2006 season playing for the Toledo Mud Hens, the Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, and was named to the International League team for the 2006 Triple-A All-Star Game. Ludwick also help the Mud Hens win the Governors' Cup in 2006. Ludwick enjoyed great success in the Detroit organization, but due to a surplus of outfielders, Detroit did not offer Ludwick a new contract.

St. Louis Cardinals: All-Star

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In 2007, Ludwick was invited to spring training by the Cardinals and started in Triple-A Memphis. On May 6, 2007, Ludwick was promoted to the Cardinals after Preston Wilson went on the DL. In the 29 games preceding Ludwick's promotion, he hit .340 with 0 home runs but had 50 RBIs at Memphis.

Ludwick (right) during his tenure with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2008.

His fast start in 2008 earned him an everyday player role. Ludwick was named to his first All-Star game on July 6 at Yankee Stadium in New York City. He won the National League Player of the Week Award for July 27-August 2. On August 14, Ludwick hit his 29th home run[3] of the 2008 season; this broke the record for the most home runs in a season by a player who throws left-handed yet bats right-handed previously held by Rickey Henderson.[4]

Ludwick would go on to win a Silver Slugger Award at the end of the 2008 season for his offensive performance along with fellow outfielders Matt Holliday and Ryan Braun. That year, Ludwick hit 37 home runs, 40 doubles, 113 RBIs, 3 triples and a solid .299 batting average.[5]

After his breakout season of 2008, Ludwick started out 2009 with a solid April, posting similar figures to his 2008 season by hitting .297 with five home runs, and 19 RBIs. He was then slowed by a strained right hamstring which placed him on the DL for 15 games. After returning from his injury, Ludwick struggled with a .200 average during the month of June. He had a productive July, hitting .340, with six home runs and a league-leading 28 RBIs, landing him NL Player of the Month honors.[6] This gave the Cardinals 3 out of the last 4 NL Player of the Month awards, coupled with Albert Pujols's awards in April and June. At the end of the 2009 season Ludwick finished batting .265 with 22 home runs and 97 RBIs. Ludwick was primarily a right fielder, but also got playing time in left field and occasionally in center field.

During the 2010 offseason, Ludwick and the Cardinals avoided arbitration, agreeing to a one-year, $5.45 million contract for 2010.[7] Through June 15, he hit .451 with runners in scoring position, second-best among all MLB players.[8] Additionally, he batted .476 with 11 RBIs with runners in scoring position and two out.[9] His strong performance with runners in scoring position lead to him being placed in the cleanup role on June 14 against the Seattle Mariners. The move paid off, as he hit a three-run home run in his first at bat, and went 2-for-4 with a sacrifice fly in the game.[10][11]

San Diego Padres

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Ludwick playing for the San Diego Padres in 2011.

Ludwick was traded to the San Diego Padres in a three-team deal on July 31, 2010, which sent starting pitcher Jake Westbrook and minor leaguer Nick Greenwood to the Cardinals and Corey Kluber to the Indians.[12] Ludwick received a standing ovation from the crowd in his first return to St. Louis, and he responded with a tip of his cap to the fans.[13]

Ludwick's stats took a hit in 2011 due to poor production at the Padres home field, Petco Park. At the end of his tenure as a Padre, Ludwick was hitting .238 with 11 home runs and 64 runs batted in and 42 runs scored. He accounted for 25.3 percent of the Padres' runs. By comparison, Adrián González accounted for 23.6 percent of the Padres' runs in 2010.[14][15]

Pittsburgh Pirates

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In the final hour of the 2011 MLB non-waiver trading deadline on July 31, San Diego traded Ludwick to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named later.[16][17]

Cincinnati Reds

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On January 16, 2012, Ludwick agreed to terms with the Cincinnati Reds on a one-year contract worth $2.5M with an option for a second year in 2013.[18] After initially splitting the left field duties with Chris Heisey, Ludwick eventually got most of the starts, often batting cleanup in the lineup as a right-handed hitter between lefties Joey Votto and Jay Bruce.[19] In 125 games, he hit .275/.346/.531 with 26 home runs and 80 RBIs. Ludwick started all 5 postseason games in the NLDS against the Giants, hitting .333 with 3 home runs and 4 RBIs.

He declined his option on October 31, and became a free agent. He re-signed with the Reds to a two-year, $15 million deal with a mutual option for 2015 on December 10, 2012.[20]

On Opening Day 2013, Ludwick tore cartilage in his right shoulder as well as dislocating it, requiring surgery.[21] Ludwick was placed on the 60-day disabled list, and returned to the Reds on August 12. In 38 games, he hit .240/.293/.326 with 2 home runs and 12 RBIs. In the Wild Card game against the Pirates, Ludwick went 3–4 with 2 doubles in the loss.[22]

Second stint with Rangers

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Ludwick signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers on February 4, 2015.[23][24] On March 29, he was released by the Rangers.[25]

On January 21, 2016, Ludwick formally announced his retirement.[26]

Personal life

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Ludwick and his wife, Joanie, reside in Georgetown, Texas, and have one son, Stetson Tyler. Ludwick has stated that he chose his son's name due to his affinity for Stetson hats.[27]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ryan Ludwick

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ryan Ludwick is a former American who played twelve seasons in (MLB) from 2002 to 2014, amassing 154 home runs, 587 runs batted in (RBI), and a .260 across 1,065 games with six teams. Born on July 13, 1978, in , Ludwick attended the (UNLV), where he played before being selected by the in the second round (60th overall) of the 1999 MLB Draft. After being traded to the Texas Rangers prior to his debut, he broke into the majors on June 5, 2002, and later enjoyed his most productive years with the Cardinals from 2007 to 2009. Ludwick's career trajectory included stints with the Rangers (2002–2003), Cleveland Indians (2003–2005), Cardinals (2007–2010), San Diego Padres (2010–2011), (2011), and (2012–2014), marked by several mid-season trades that shaped his journeyman status. His breakout season came in 2008 with the Cardinals, when he earned National League All-Star selection, won the as an outfielder, and posted career highs of .299 , 37 home runs, and 113 RBI, finishing 16th in NL MVP voting. Additional honors included MLB Player of the Week (2008) and Player of the Month (July 2009), along with a finalist nod for the 2012 National League Comeback Player of the Year Award after rebounding with the Reds. Post-retirement, Ludwick has been recognized for his contributions to baseball, including induction into the UNLV Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame, where he is celebrated as a standout Rebel alum who hit 37 home runs in his All-Star year. A right-handed batter and left-handed thrower, he is the brother of former MLB pitcher Eric Ludwick and remains connected to the sport through coaching and community involvement in Las Vegas.

Early life and education

High school career

Ryan Ludwick was born on July 13, 1978, in , to a family with strong ties to ; his older brother was a professional pitcher drafted by the in the second round of the 1993 MLB Draft who played in from 1996 to 1999. The family relocated to , during his youth, where Ludwick immersed himself in athletics. Ludwick attended Durango High School in , emerging as a standout on the team. The Trailblazers won the program's first 4A state championship in 1999 with a 2-0 victory over Reno in the final—a milestone for a school known for producing over 50 college players and multiple major league draft picks. His performance highlighted his power hitting and defensive skills in , drawing scout interest and establishing him as one of the top prep prospects in the region. After high school, Ludwick chose to pursue at the , prioritizing further development over immediate professional opportunities.

College career

Ryan Ludwick enrolled at the (UNLV) in 1997, where he played three seasons (1997–1999) as an for the baseball team in competition. As a in 1997, Ludwick burst onto the scene with a .354 , 16 home runs, and 68 RBIs, earning him First Team Freshman All-American honors from Baseball America. In his sophomore year of 1998, he maintained strong production, batting .352 with 14 home runs and 57 RBIs over 54 games. Ludwick capped his college career in 1999 as a junior, leading the team with a .381 , 13 home runs, and 69 RBIs in 61 games, while also drawing 47 walks for a .484 . Over his three seasons, he compiled a .363 career and 43 home runs, rankings that placed him ninth in program history for and fourth for home runs at the time of his induction into the UNLV Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010. Ludwick received multiple accolades during his time at UNLV, including two-time preseason All-American selections and postseason All-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) honors as a first-team in 1999. His consistent power hitting and plate discipline helped anchor the Rebels' lineup, contributing to their appearance in the 1999 WAC Tournament, where UNLV competed in . Ludwick's performance throughout his collegiate career established him as a top prospect, leading to his selection by the in the second round (60th overall) of the 1999 MLB Draft.

Professional playing career

Draft, minor leagues, and early MLB stints

Ludwick was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the second round, 60th overall, of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft out of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He signed with the Athletics on July 17, 1999, and began his professional career in the minor leagues the following year. In January 2002, the Athletics traded Ludwick, along with prospects Jason Hart, Gerald Laird, and Mario Ramos, to the Texas Rangers in exchange for first baseman Carlos Peña and pitcher Mike Venafro. Ludwick's minor league progression with the Athletics and Rangers showcased his power potential, though he faced setbacks from injuries. In 2000, playing for the High-A Modesto Athletics, he batted .264 with 29 home runs and 102 RBIs over 129 games. The next season, he advanced to Double-A with the Midland RockHounds, hitting .269 with 25 home runs in 119 games, before a brief stint at Triple-A Sacramento River Cats where he posted a .228 average in 17 games. With the Rangers in 2002, Ludwick reached Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks, batting .285 with 15 home runs in 78 games, but his season was interrupted by a fractured hip that required surgery and sidelined him for several months. He rebounded in 2003 at Oklahoma, slashing .303/.388/.539 with 17 home runs in 81 games. Ludwick made his MLB debut with the Rangers on June 5, 2002, appearing in 23 games and batting .235 with one before the injury ended his season. He returned briefly in 2003, playing eight games with a .154 average, but struggled for consistent playing time. On July 18, 2003, the Rangers traded him to the Indians for outfielder and pitcher Ricardo Rodríguez. Ludwick immediately contributed at the major league level with Cleveland, batting .265 in 39 games to close out 2003. His time with the Indians organization from 2004 to 2005 was marked by further seasoning and limited MLB opportunities, hampered by injuries and roster competition. In 2004, after eight games at Double-A Akron (.269 average), he spent most of the year at Triple-A Buffalo, batting .271 with eight home runs in 44 games, and appeared in 15 MLB games with (.220 average). The 2005 season saw a down year in Buffalo (.191 average, four home runs in 54 games) and just 19 MLB games (.220 average), partly due to a strain. Granted free agency on October 15, 2005, Ludwick signed a minor league contract with the Tigers in December 2005. He spent 2006 with the Tigers' Triple-A affiliate, the , where he batted .266 with 28 home runs and 80 RBIs in 134 games, demonstrating a return to form with 20-plus power production. After another free agency period in October 2006, he signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals in December 2006, setting the stage for his major league breakthrough the following year.

St. Louis Cardinals and All-Star breakthrough

On December 1, 2006, Ludwick signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals as a after being released by the Detroit Tigers organization, and he was initially assigned to the Triple-A for the 2007 season. He began the year strongly in Memphis, batting .340 with eight home runs in 28 games, which led to his promotion to the major leagues on May 6, 2007, following an injury to . During his rookie stint with that year, Ludwick appeared in 120 games primarily as a and , posting a with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs while adjusting to big-league pitching. Ludwick's true breakthrough came in 2008, when he secured a full-time role in the Cardinals' and emerged as one of the National League's top power hitters. Batting .299 with 37 s and 113 RBIs—career highs that ranked him among the league leaders—he helped anchor ' lineup during a 86-win season. His hot streak from July 27 to August 2 earned him the NL Player of the Week award, and his overall performance led to his first and only selection, as well as a as the top offensive in the NL; he also finished 16th in NL MVP voting. Ludwick's power surge, including a franchise-record-tying five consecutive games with a from August 1-6, solidified his status as a key contributor to the Cardinals' offense. Ludwick maintained consistent production from 2009 through mid-2010, providing reliable right-handed power despite some injury setbacks. In 2009, he batted .265 with 22 home runs and 97 RBIs over 139 games, earning NL Player of the Month honors for after slashing .359/.423/.671 with eight home runs and 28 RBIs that month. The following year, through 77 games before the trade deadline, he hit .281 with 11 home runs and 43 RBIs, though a left calf strain sidelined him for over three weeks in June and after aggravating the injury during a workout. On July 31, 2010, the Cardinals traded Ludwick to the Padres as part of a three-team deal that sent pitcher from the Cleveland Indians to and prospect from to Cleveland, with the Cardinals also acquiring minor-league pitcher Nick Greenwood from the Padres.

Later MLB teams and final seasons

Following his departure from the Cardinals, Ludwick joined the Padres via trade on July 31, 2010, in a three-team deal. He spent parts of 2011 with the Padres, where he hit .238 with 11 home runs and 64 RBI in 101 games, before being traded to the on July 31, 2011, for cash considerations. With the Pirates, Ludwick appeared in 38 games, batting .232 with 2 home runs and 11 RBI, but his role was limited by a mid-back muscle that landed him on the 15-day disabled list in . As a after the 2011 season, Ludwick signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the on February 8, 2012, with a mutual $5 million option for 2013. He enjoyed a resurgent year as the starting left fielder, posting a .275 with 26 home runs and 80 RBI in 125 games, providing key power in the lineup during the Reds' NL Central division-winning campaign and their appearance in the . After declining the mutual option in October 2012, he re-signed with the Reds on December 10, 2012, to a two-year, $15 million contract covering the 2013 and 2014 seasons. However, he suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder on 2013, underwent surgery on April 3, 2013, and was sidelined until mid-July; he returned as a outfielder, limited to 38 games with a .240 average, 2 home runs, and 12 RBI as the Reds finished second in the division. Ludwick remained with the Reds in 2014, earning $8.5 million under the contract, serving primarily as a and backup in 112 games, where he batted .244 with 9 home runs and 45 RBI amid the team's third-place finish and playoff absence. After becoming a in October 2014, he signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers—his original organization from his 2002 debut—on February 4, 2015, with an invitation to major league , marking a potential full-circle return at age 36. However, Ludwick was released on March 29, 2015, without appearing in any major league games due to ongoing recovery from injuries. He formally announced his on January 21, 2016. Over his 12-season MLB career spanning 1,065 games with six teams, Ludwick batted .260 with 154 home runs and 587 RBI.

Post-playing career

Entry into coaching

Following his retirement from professional baseball in January 2016, Ryan Ludwick joined the Cardinals' front office as a special assistant to general manager . In this initial role, he contributed to the organization's player development initiatives, applying insights from his MLB career—marked by a late-career breakthrough as an outfielder with the Cardinals in 2008—to support emerging talent in the farm system. Ludwick's early responsibilities centered on mentoring minor league outfielders, emphasizing hitting mechanics, baserunning techniques, and overall skill refinement tailored to late-blooming players similar to his own path. Drawing from his experience overcoming early struggles in the minors and majors before posting a career-high 37 home runs in 2008, he provided targeted guidance to help prospects accelerate their development within the Cardinals' system. From 2016 to 2018, Ludwick's involvement grew as a roving special assistant focused on coordination and evaluation, collaborating closely with Cardinals management to integrate perspectives into the farm system's programs. This foundational period under Mozeliak's leadership solidified his transition into , building on his on-field expertise to foster player growth across multiple levels.

Roles with St. Louis Cardinals organization

Following his entry into coaching, Ludwick continued as a minor league hitting instructor with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2019, where he worked with affiliates including the Triple-A and High-A . In this capacity, he focused on refining hitters' techniques across the system, traveling to provide hands-on guidance during and the season. Ludwick's responsibilities expanded in 2020 when he was named the Cardinals' roving hitting instructor, a position that allowed him to oversee development programs organization-wide and collaborate with core . He continued in this roving role through 2022, serving as a special advisor for hitting while emphasizing plate discipline and power development for prospects; during this period, he worked closely with emerging talents such as Jordan Walker. In 2023, Ludwick maintained his special advisor status in player development. In 2024, amid speculation following the departure of the Cardinals' major league hitting coach, Ludwick was considered for an elevation to that position but ultimately remained in the as a special advisor and roving instructor. His continued presence in the system underscored his value in nurturing young hitters, including contributions to like Victor Scott II, whose swing adjustments under Ludwick's direction in 2024 helped enhance his contact rates and overall offensive output. By 2025, Ludwick advanced to the role of hitting and outfield instructor/special advisor for the Cardinals' operations, based in , where he oversees specialized instruction for position players across all levels. In March 2025, he served as manager for the Cardinals' Spring Breakout Game, coaching top prospects. This appointment positioned him to lead roving elements of the hitting program, building on his prior experience to foster long-term prospect growth.

Personal life

Ludwick is married to Joanie Ludwick. They have two children: a son named and a daughter named Brantley. The family resides in .

References

  1. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/ludwiry01.shtml
  2. https://www.mlb.com/player/ryan-ludwick-407886
  3. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=ludwiry01
  4. https://unlvrebels.com/honors/unlv-athletics-hall-of-fame/ryan-ludwick/33
  5. https://www.snshf.com/hall-of-famers/ryan-ludwick
  6. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/ludwier01.shtml
  7. https://www.redreporter.com/2012/2/24/2820428/the-red-report-ryan-ludwick
  8. https://lasvegassun.com/news/1999/may/24/durango-takes-next-step-by-winning-first-4a-state-/
  9. https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/pain-finally-turns-into-gain/
  10. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/4328/Ryan-Ludwick/
  11. https://unlvrebels.com/news/1999/6/21/Four_Rebels_Named_to_All_WAC_Baseball_Squads
  12. https://unlvrebels.com/news/1999/6/21/UNLV_Hustlin_Rebels_Conclude_1999_Season_at_WAC_Tourney
  13. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/trades.php?p=ludwiry01
  14. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ludwic001rya
  15. https://www.columbian.com/news/2010/jul/02/cardinals-to-place-ludwick-on-dl/
  16. https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/roster/transactions/2010/07
  17. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/6821468/pittsburgh-pirates-acquire-veteran-ryan-ludwick-padres
  18. https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/reds-ludwick-agree-to-1-year-deal/
  19. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/8578633/ryan-ludwick-ryan-madson-decline-options-cincinati-reds-become-free-agents
  20. https://www.mlb.com/news/ludwick-signs-two-year-deal-with-reds/c-40594626
  21. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/9130739/ryan-ludwick-cincinnati-reds-expected-miss-least-three-months
  22. https://www.mlb.com/news/rangers-sign-of-ryan-ludwick-to-minor-league-contract/c-108349946
  23. https://tht.fangraphs.com/goodbye-to-all-them-players-who-quietly-retired-in-2016/
  24. https://www.bnd.com/sports/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/article74631247.html
  25. https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2018/1/5/16849964/ryan-ludwick-jason-isringhausen-to-join-minor-league-staff-in-2018
  26. https://www.mlb.com/news/top-10-most-surprising-seasons-in-mlb-history-c283217854
  27. https://www.riverbender.com/news/details/new-roles-for-izzyludwick-25906.cfm
  28. https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/team/front-office
  29. https://thecardinalnation.com/cardinals-announce-2019-minor-league-staff-assignments/
  30. https://www.cardsconclave.com/2020/01/06/cardinals-announce-minor-league-field-staffs/
  31. https://www.mlb.com/news/cardinals-2022-minor-league-coaching-staff
  32. https://library.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/publications/baseball/yearbooks/BSTLCMG-2023-st-louis-cardinals-media-guide.pdf
  33. https://interstate70sports.media/2024/10/16/could-ryan-ludwick-become-the-cardinals-next-hitting-coach/
  34. https://www.nyrdcast.com/2024/01/cardinals-announce-minor-league-coaching-staffs-and-player-development-assignments-for-2024/
  35. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5685660/2024/08/07/cardinals-victor-scott-sonny-gray/
  36. https://www.ksdk.com/article/sports/mlb/stl-cardinals/jordan-walker-and-victor-scott-ii-trying-to-work-their-way-back-to-cardinals/63-802db193-bf3b-4c31-a57b-c8893255d92e
  37. https://thecardinalnation.com/cardinals-announce-2025-minor-league-coaching-staffs-and-player-development-assignments/
  38. https://thecardinalnation.com/cardinals-announce-2025-spring-breakout-game-roster/
  39. https://www.nyrdcast.com/2025/01/cardinals-announce-2025-minor-league-staff-and-player-development/
  40. https://obituaries.reviewjournal.com/obituary/marcia-ludwick-1083791812
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