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Sox Gamers/Postmortems

Do Watcha Did: Sox-Halos ALDS Gamer I

The Boston Red Sox won eight of their last nine with Jon Lester on the mound. They face John Lackey tonight in Anaheim in game one of the ALDS. Comment away.

Boston Red Sox

Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
Victor Martinez C
Kevin Youkilis 1B
David Ortiz DH
Jason Bay LF
Mike Lowell 3B
J.D. Drew RF
Alex Gonzalez SS
Jon Lester LHP

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Chone Figgins 3B
Bobby Abreu RF
Torii Hunter CF
Vladimir Guerrero DH
Juan Rivera LF
Kendry Morales 1B
Howie Kendrick 2B
Jeff Mathis C
Erick Aybar SS
John Lackey RHP

270 replies on “Do Watcha Did: Sox-Halos ALDS Gamer I”

Curt Schilling writes good copy by trashing tonight’s umpiring crew.

This is about as bad a crew as I have ever seen assembled. Joe West, for all his pomp and circumstance, can ump a game. C.B. Buckner? Greg Gibson? Not so much. I’m blown away that A) They made the postseason and B) They are umping what I think will be the most-watched series. If I HAD to put them on the postseason roster, I’d try to hide them on the outfield foul lines of Colorado. Look for BOTH to have game impact in this series.

Funny stuff, this. I wonder if he will retract if the umps don’t screw it up?

Schilling is retired, so what’s wrong with him bitching about umpires like a normal fan? It’s nice to see that players recognize shitty umps the way us fans do.

“bitching about umpires”
sheeesh
dave roberts
dave roberts
dave roberts
dave roberts
dave roberts
dave roberts
dave roberts
dave roberts

Fair enough Sam. But Bucknor is notorious for having one of the worst strikezones in baseball. Like Schilling said, I’m surprised these guys are in the playoffs. Supposedly there’s league-wide review of umpiring crews, and only the best get to the playoffs.

What’s your point dc? I think we can all agree that it seems like there has been worse-than-usual umpiring this year (specifically strikezones), so what’s wrong with complaining that the system in place to promote umpire crews to the playoffs obviously isn’t working?
GOD DAMNIT FRANKLIN, way to blow the goddamn save. Winning run in scoring position.

Dc thinks Roberts was out in 2004, IBM. I thought it was pretty clear in photographs that the call was correct.
Can you believe these YF’s coming in here and derailing the thread? ;-)

Martin walks, bases loaded. Mark Loretta (someone I always liked in Boston) up. 0 for 15 against Franklin, which means he probably hits a walk-off Granny.

Jesus, game over. Massive choke right there by Franklin, who sucked for me on my fantasy team this year.

It’s embarrassing that Wainwright’s masterpiece is ruined this way.
In all fairness though, Matt Holliday’s mustache is horrible. He deserved to lose the game for them.

“…Can you believe these YF’s coming in here and derailing the thread? ;-) …”
it ain’t a thread yet
;)
“…Dc thinks Roberts was out in 2004, IBM. I thought it was pretty clear in photographs that the call was correct….”
this guy says different, good enough for me:
“This is the Rivera who still says Dave Roberts was out stealing second in the ninth inning of Game 4, Yankees against the Red Sox in 2004, the beginning of the end even if nobody knew it at the time. This is the Rivera who will smile and shrug and show you, an imaginary glove on his hand, how close he was to gloving Bill Mueller’s game-tying single after Roberts did steal second.”
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2009/10/03/2009-10-03_mo_classic.html?page=1#ixzz0TOh8hyPm
photographs can be doctored ;)

You know, I was rooting for the Cardinals in this series, and am genuinely shocked that they’re down 0-2 to LA. But there’s a big part of me that’s happy that the team Julio Lugo is on (he of the 107 OPS+) is losing.

now i’m out since the game is about to start…just wanted to give you guys that “umps suck” tidbit to chew on…
;)

So let me get this straight DC: Mo’s view (from 60 feet away) is better than the umpire’s view (from 6 feet away)?
Keep telling yourself whatever you want buddy ;-)

if you happen to be matt holliday’s psychiatrist, go out and get that new volvo–it’s gonna be a big year.

No dc, it’s just that that specific play was called correctly (as photographs show), regardless of how you rationalize it. This umpiring crew, however, is bad. Bucknor is horrible, and well-known as such. The argument isn’t “All umps suck!” (you turned it into that), but rather “This specific umpiring crew is atrocious and shouldn’t be in the playoffs.”

Ugh. Thunderstix AND the Rallychimpanzee.
I was at the clinching win in 2007 at Angels Stadium. It is even more irritating in person.
The Angels have (by far) the worst fans in baseball though. People were still trickling in during the 3rd inning, and left during the 7th (of a playoff game!). When my friend and I started a “Let’s go Red Sox” chant, the Angels fans behind us started clapping in between just like they do at Fenway o_O. Some serious cognitive dissonance there.

What happened to Adenhart was tragic. It was horrible, unnecessary, and he shouldn’t be forgotten.
Having said that, am I the only one who doesn’t understand why the Angels have idolized him all season as much as they have? He had only just joined the team, and only a few players got to know him for more than a few hours. I’m probably an asshole for feeling this way.

you mean the sox answer to suzyn walman ath?…i have my sound turned down…try it, big improvement…

I predicted that if Lackey got the Sox’s leadoff batter out, they would win the series.

Uhh, the broadcaster (not Orsillo–the other one) just said that Lester throws a one-seamer. Is that even possible? You can’t throw a ball without at least two seams rotating.

Uhh, the broadcaster (not Orsillo–the other one) just said that Lester throws a one-seamer. Is that even possible?
Lester is magic.

You must have a hearing problem if you think Don Orsillo is anything like Suzyn Waldman.

Lester gives up a lead-off walk. One of the pitches was a strike, but shit, this isn’t how you start a game.

It’s not just you Ethan; his move isn’t deceptive at all. He gets a lot of guys when they go on first movement though, but that’s not to his credit.
MIKE MOTHERFUCKING LOWELL! Great snag from the man with the highest fielding percentage in the history of his position.

Lowell ends it with a nice snag after 17 ptches from Lester, walk to Abreu. Hard to tell for sure with the TBS camera angle, but the strike zone seemed tight.

Ball 4 called a strike. Grrrrrr.
Did anyone think it was crazy how the Angels celebrated clinching the AL West by pouring beer/champagne all over Adenhart’s jersey? Talk about irony.

What is the opposite of an ump squeezing a pitcher? Fluffing him?
I’m all for references that the umpire is giving Lackey oral sex.
Yet another 1-2-3 inning, this time only 15 pitches used.

“…Not tough to do dc; I’m 75% sure that Waldman has a penis….”
what’s donny’s %?
;)
on a more serious note, you guys should probably lay off the adenhart shit…seriously not cool…not sure what it gains you by mocking it…

How can you guys be surprised about Adenhardt references or begrudge its coverage? It was a major deal for this team this year and has been an ongoing story for them all year.

“Having said that, am I the only one who doesn’t understand why the Angels have idolized him all season as much as they have? He had only just joined the team, and only a few players got to know him for more than a few hours. I’m probably an asshole for feeling this way.”
I feel EXACTLY the same way, ath.
Creepy in the same way the U of Colorado FB coach Bill McCartney made the locker of dead QB Sal Aunese a shrine. McCartney was a bozo.

on a more serious note, you guys should probably lay off the adenhart shit…seriously not cool…not sure what it gains you by mocking it…
You know what else isn’t cool? Pouring alcohol all over the jersey of a player who was killed by a drunk driver. I’m showing Adenhart just as much respect as his teammates have.
Lester hitting the corners well, and K’s Rivera.

This ump isn’t giving the low strike to either pitcher. Lester K’s Kendrick anyways; 28 pitches after 2.

28 pitches for Lester, 2Ks, clean inning… ButI think this ump has only called ONE strike for Lester in two innings.

Close Hudson; only 4 called strikes so far. There have only been 2-3 glaring bad calls though.

we had that discussion in another thread ath, and i thought we agreed that the intentions were good even if the execution was questionable…your intentions, and that of your cheeleader bill, are not good by deliberately mocking his references in tonight’s game….now i really am out, because i can see this gamer is going down the toilet fast…

I take back what I said about the ump not calling the low strike to either pitcher; suddenly the bottom of the strikezone exists with Lackey on the mound.
Still small overall though. Not sure which team that helps more; probably the Sox since they’re more patient.

Really? We are questioning why the Angels continue to honor Nick Adenhart, a teammate who tragically lost his life in a horrible car accident, throughout the season? What is wrong with you people?
And Ath, I just don’t know what to say to you, man. You continue to state that the Angels mocked Adenhart’s death, which honestly is 100 times stupider and inciteful than anything Rob has ever said. Please stop even mentioning him if you disrepsect him or the topic that much, it’s disturbing, hateful, and wrong.

Suffice to say, i disagree with you and dont think that TBS talking about an ongoing story in the Angels year is “exploiting” the death. I dont mind its mention and in fact believe that more people would have a problem if TBS just ignored it like it didnt happen. I also fully disagree with Atheose’s description of the Angels’ celebration but thats a discussion we’ve had here already and has no place on your gamer. I dont see any point in rehashing the Adenhardt debate here any further…enjoy your game.

your intentions, and that of your cheeleader bill, are not good by deliberately mocking his references in tonight’s game
How did we mock it? How did we make fun of Adenhart? Tell me that, because we didn’t, and you have no idea what you’re talking about dc.

Ath, and IBM, I think it will be best if you just don’t mention the topic again. It’s seriously offensive to me, and clearly it does absolutely nothing but incite bad blood and debate that goes nowhere, as the other thread shows. If that’s not good enough for you, well, I’m going to have to request some kind of censure.

And Ath, I just don’t know what to say to you, man. You continue to state that the Angels mocked Adenhart’s death
I said that it was disrespectful to celebrate by pouring alcohol on the jersey of someone who was KILLED BY A DRUNK DRIVER. Sure, their intentions were good, but jesus christ how stupid can you be?
Maybe I should reiterate what I said at the beginning: “What happened to Adenhart was tragic. It was horrible, unnecessary, and he shouldn’t be forgotten.”

OK, I don’t need a lecture about drunken driving. I work for the local prosecutor. I’ve talked to family members of dead drunken driving victims. I’ve seen assholes accused of DUI empty LARGE bank accounts in an attempt to get out of it. I’ve seen asshole DUI defense lawyers try to trash cops on the witness stand in an attempt to get drunken drivers acquitted.
You people want to bitch about something, bitch about that.

HOLY SHIT, interference called on the catcher. Angels back on the field, commercials cut short, runners on first and second.

Agree with you 100% IBM. An old friend from highschool was hit by a drunk driver (he was riding a bike) and suffered a concussion. Thankfully that was all, because shit like that happens too often.
DC, Andrew, you guys are blowing what we said out of proportion. Nobody is mocking Adenhart.

Well, there goes IBM again. I wonder what will happen to him? My guess is he doesn’t get banned, although he has incited and personally insulted ten times more than Rob ever did.
Interesting double standard we have around here.

:: hands Andrew a big box of tissues :: People can state their opinions whether you agree with them or not. Deal with it.
Can only get one on the groundball. Uh oh.

For those keeping score at home:
-SF’s complimenting how good the Yankees are in a Yankees gamer: douchebaggery
-YF’s threatening to ask a moderator to censor intelligent discussion about the tragic death of a former Angel player: totally awesome

My guess is he doesn’t get banned, although he has incited and personally insulted ten times more than Rob ever did.
Boo fucking hoo. We were discussing the Adenhart coverage respectfully and you acted like we were Stalin circa 1944. What’s with you guys blowing everything out of proportion lately?

Im watching on TV and on Gameday, and Lester is really framing the plate perfectly. Nothing down the middle, everything on the corners.

IBM, I think you’ve made your point man. Andrew hasn’t typed anything in about 15 minutes (presumably telling on us to the mods for respectfully discussing the Adenhart tragedy).

Blowing everything out of proportion? You stated that his teammates don’t respect him because you don’t agree with the way they remembered him. I can’t believe you are seriously passing judgment on how people remember their dead loved ones. It’s offensive, and inciteful, and frankly not very intelligent at all. I think it’s clear that your completely disrespectful and unnecessary commentary on Nick Adenhart and the beer non-issue offends not just me but several others as well. I think we made all our opinions perfectly clear on the other thread, and we all understand each other’s position. I thought we had all left it at that. Can we agree to just not mention it again?

If everyone keeps trying to get the last work, then dropping this issue seems unlikely…

I’m going to drop it, because I’ve made my point and so has everyone else.
And yeah Andrew, that pitcher was a strike. Lester was walking to the dugout.
LESTER GETS HIM! FUCK YEAH.

Okay, if I just retract all my comments from this thread can we just ignore the arguing? Sorry I even brought it up again.
Lester gets a big K…guess those demons at Fenway have made the plane ride to Angel’s Stadium.

Fair enough Andrew, truce. There’s playoff baseball on, we shouldn’t be squabbling over the minor stuff.
Lester at 53 pitches.

53 through 3 isn’t that bad, I think Sabathia was at 60-something at the same point last night.
The Angels’ offense just looks beatable…I don’t think it’s insulting to say I’d much rather face them than the Sox in the ALCS.

Yeah, 53 is fine… that’s on pace for 6 innings, which is just fine considering how good our bullpen is.

Man, Lackey is not only pitching for the Angels’ postseason hopes, but for a humongous contract in the offseason. I’m pretty sure the Yankees don’t have much of an interest, so I don’t think he exceeds Burnett’s contract, although he is a better pitcher (albeit ironically with more recent health problems).

This just feels like one of those really frustrating 1-0 losses. Oh well, I hope I’m wrong.

Lackey is a free agent? Good thing scouts overvalue wins/losses; he was only 11-8 this year. Definitely won’t get a better contract than Burnett.

Radio announcers are talking about how short-fused Joe West is and how walking toward the dugout before he makes a call reeeeeaaallly irritates him.

Great play by Gonzo to grab the ball.
WHAT THE FUCK BUCKNOR? Youk tags the shit out of Howie. It wasn’t even fucking close.
Schilling was 100% right about Bucknor.

I think a new stat needs to be created, umpire errors.
Alex Gonzalez made a great play, he totally doesn’t deserve that error.

Lester says “Fuck you ump” and strikes out Mathis anyways. He’s really dialing it up when he needs to.
I really don’t like the mojo conjured up by someone named “Buckner” making an error at first base.

Both pitchers at 66 pitches after 4. Lackey has been better though, only allowing the one baserunner, while Lester has had 3 walks.

You wonder what these guys think when they get home, crack open a beer and look at the replay.

John Lackey is unable to close his mouth. It’s always halfway open like a caveman or something.
Doubleplay.

rbf, I don’t think they need to look at a replay on that one, Youk saw it (and felt it) first hand.
Does Lowell ground into as many doubleplays as he seems to? I know he’s well-loved and for good reason, but that’s got to be horribly frustrating. Reminds me of Bernie post-2002.

24 in the regular season Andrew, though it doesn’t feel like a ton. He can’t run anymore though so I guess it’s a bit more than he used to.

Andrew, it seems like he does it at times when we’re getting a much-needed rally. Like just then.

Leadfoot Lowell with the DP grounder… Shades of the late Jim Rice years. Lackey @ 75p though five.

I think they should be more concerned with getting runners on base than with counting pitches at this point.

Since Lester’s a lefty it’s tough to steal on him. Abreu tried earlier (he went on first movement) but Hunter fouled the pitch off. Aside from that nobody has even tried.

Probably a little-known stat, Evan Longoria had 27 DPs this year. I remember well the proclamations that he would be the best third-baseman in the league by the All-Star break this year. If you told me A-Rod would have a better season than him back in April, well.

Wow, that’s horrible. Figgins has a near-.400 OBP this year, and Scoscia has him give up an out.
I hate the Angels.

Wow, that’s horrible. Figgins has a near-.400 OBP this year, and Scoscia has him give up an out.
ANGELS BASEBALL!!!!!!111111oneone

Wow, that’s horrible. Figgins has a near-.400 OBP this year, and Scoscia has him give up an out.
It’s Angels baseball!

Orsillo: “Only Barry Bonds has more walks than Abreu in the last decade”
Holy potatoes, that’s a hellofa statistic right there.

It would be completely understandable if this were the 9th inning, but IT’S THE FIFTH. Watch Bobby strike out.

It’s completely ridiculous that Lester has walked Abreu three times in 4.1 innings. He’s a fucking lefty. You’re a lefty, Lester. Lefties are supposed to get lefties out.

That’s the kind of thing I don’t get upset about, if a guy’s on third and one out. Walk the guy, it’s better than letting up a run, and you get the opportunity for a DP.

Okay, so that didn’t work out.
I thought Hunter was a terrible signing, and he’s still vastly overpaid, but he’s provided production beyond what anyone thought.
The Angels still have to get through 4 more innings.

That was the first pitch all night that Lester has thrown down the middle. Ugh.
And now Rivera doubles. Anyone up in the ‘pen?

Alex Gonzalez is unreal at SS. Great catch saves a run.
Still pissed he got an error earlier.

Damn, Gonzalez is good defensively. I really hope this season, which has looked a lot like 2004 so far, doesn’t end up the same way.

More game times announced: Game 3 in Boston will be at 12:07, and Game 4 on Monday starts at 8:37. If the Yankees have beaten the Twins by then it will be at 7:37 instead.

“Most of these players weren’t even born in that series” they played in 1986. Yeah, uh huh, they’re all under 23, right?

Yeah Devine, this changing strikezone is annoying as shit. Youk did swing at ball four also.
WHAT THE FUCK, Youk makes a great play and comes down on the bag, and Bucknor calls him safe. Tito is about to get himself ejected.
This is horseshit.

Bucknor is the worst ump ever at 1st. Bad throw by Lowell, better save by Youk. What a disgrace.

Bucknor must have money on the Angels. Youk had him out by about 4 feet.
Angels baseball! Runner bunted over.

This is probably the 2nd worst umpiring job I’ve seen in the playoffs, behind the Sox’s ’99 series with the Yankees. Actually it may be worse than that.

The first Bucknor call didn’t cause any damage, and so far neither has this one, but jesus christ how many times can you fuck a pitcher over?

JACOBY FUCKING ELLSBURY! Great play to save another run. Thank goodness neither Bucknor error has caused any real damage (aside from making Lester throw more pitches).

Holy fuck, you guys aren’t going to believe what Bucknor’s wikipedia page says:
In a 2003 Sports Illustrated survey given to current major league players, Bucknor was voted as the league’s worst umpire, with 20.7% of the vote.[2]
In an updated 2006 Sports Illustrated survey given to current major league players, Bucknor was again voted the league’s worst umpire, with 21% of the vote.[3] In 2008, Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports also called him the worst umpire.[4]
During cold weather games, Bucknor wears a long-sleeve pullover shirt behind the plate, instead of the plate jacket. He is known to be very dramatic when calling third strikes.
During the off-season, Bucknor, who is legally blind, speaks at the Helen Keller Institute for Sensory Impaired Children.

IBM, you’re right–that last part has already been removed. Some angry Sox Fans, no doubt.
Sam, the fact that Bucknor’s blown calls haven’t affected the score is the only thing keeping me from jumping in my car, driving to Brooklyn (where Bucknor is from) and burning his house to the ground.

A few IBM but those extra pitches didnt cause him to throw a meatball to Hunter or walk Abreu 3 times. I realize its rightfully frustrating but if the angels go on to win its not because of the poor officiating. (at this up to now)

Yeah, that’s it RamRam. Walk the leadoff guy.
And then hit the second guy, yeah, that’s good too.
Verging toward this game being over.

FUCK YEAH, Hunter drilled. I don’t think it was intentional, though it sure looks that way all things considered.
VMart quickly got up and made it clear that the HBP wasn’t called.

Ramirez totally fucking his shit up on the mound. Walk, HBP, then a fielding error. Shoulda been at least one out, maybe a double play.

Saito should be higher on the depth chart than Ramirez, IMHO. But we’ll see how it goes. I think I might go to bed if two more score…and it’s only 9:00 here.

Haha. From
On Oct. 8, 2009, Bucknor made two terrible calls against the Boston Red Sox during Game 1 of the American League Division Series. In between innings, he admitted, “not understanding why they didn’t let Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder drive a car.” “What’s the big deal?” Bucknor said. “I call games just fine!” During the off-season, Bucknor, who is legally blind, speaks at the Helen Keller Institute for Sensory Impaired Children.
to just
C. B. Bucknor (born August 23, 1962 in Savanna-la-Mar, Jamaica) is an umpire in Major League Baseball He is the worst umpire ever and is blind as a bat

This is where I really miss Julian Tavarez and Mike Timlin, both of whom were fantastic at inducing double plays.
Come on Saito, let’s keep this close.

SWEET! That’s gotta be the weirdest DP I’ve seen–out at home, out at third.
Replay shows Hunter was safe, but fuck it, we’ll take whatever we can get.

“Holy fuck, you guys aren’t going to believe what Bucknor’s wikipedia page says:
[…]
During the off-season, Bucknor, who is legally blind, speaks at the Helen Keller Institute for Sensory Impaired Children.”
“Ath, wikipedia is as credible as Rush, Ann Coulter and Andrew.”
Word has it that Bucknor also freelances as a Wikipedia editor in his spare time as well.

Gah. Well, this game is officially over. Terrible umpiring for both sides, and an absolutely hideous inning here.

Another hit. Morales out at home because VMart blocked the plate.
5-0 though… I’ll stick around because we only have 6 outs left, even though I have to be up for work in 5.5 hours.

Okay, yeah, that’s enough.
I hope Beckett brings it tomorrow, the Sox pound Weaver, and the umps are cured somehow of whatever venereal disease has taken away their ability to see and hear. And also for a crazy comeback in the last two innings, but trying to be realistic.
G’night, everybody.

Though I suppose it shouldn’t come as that much of a surprise, as Ramirez hasn’t really been effective for quite a while now.

We have see Bucknor time after time after time blow calls and make a mess of it all. In both the National League and in the American League.
In Florida he has had numerous terrible calls.
He is either distracted, corrupt or incompetent … or all of the above.

Only got to watch from the 7th inning on but was v surprised to see Lackey – or anyone for that matter – shutout the Sox. If Beckett’s curve is working tomorrow the Sox can still take homefield advantage away.
I have to say that while I never want Boston to win, watching the Angels tack on runs in the 7th and then close it out was pretty joyless for me. I really dislike both of these teams.

Woke up late this morning only to find that there’s no hot water. I’m convinced that CB Bucknor broke into my apartment and turned off my alarm and hot water heater.

“Editing of this article by new or unregistered users is currently disabled until October 10, 2009 due to vandalism.”
You just wait Wikipedia, I’ll be ready…

I hope MLB is embarrassed with that officiating last night. Ol’ #38 was a prophet. No one can say “it didn’t affect the game” it gave the Halo’s an extra inning against Lester.
Thought the Pedroia call at first was a make up call, but he did get there before the runner. Thought Hunter was probably safe, but Lowell kept the tag on,and Hunter came off the bag.
It wouldn’t have mattered I suppose if the RS had shown up with bats.
oh and Ramon R = Manny D right now.

Well, at least my Broncos are looking good.
The officiating was horrific last night, and I’m glad I wasn’t on here, but in reality, that’s no excuse for not hitting. They better get off the snide today, or Sunday will only be partially good for me.

Well, yeah, Schilling was 100% right (and FWIW, although I think he’s an intolerable blowhard, he is an intelligent guy who often makes some very good points).
Joe West represents everything wrong with MLB umpires – the ego, the grandstanding, the overbearing need to decide the outcome of the game. If the pinnacle of officiating is to be “invisible,” and most sports enthusiasts would agree that it is, than Joe West is the worst.
And Bucknor is an absolutely terrible ump. Just wait and see what happens when/if he gets behind the plate in this series. I am hoping he does (I think he would be game 4, right?), because it might become the rallying-cry around the game to have machines call balls and strikes, AS I HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR.
All that said, reason #1 why the Sox lost last night was because they couldn’t do anything against Lackey.

Mark – I believe the way the rotation goes (well, the normal regular season rotation). They rotate clockwise each game. So CB would be behind the plate tonight, with West going to third. I’m not sure how they rotate with the extra outfield umps though.

Is it me, or eversince they fired the umpires who went on strike the officiating has been horrible. Umpires made mistakes before but nobody was really talking about instant replay, now I’m thinking that managers should get challenge flags and that 9th inning and later is subject to automatic review from the booth.

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