After a very exciting first round of Baltimore Drought Bracketology that saw nearly 10,000 total votes and got us featured on 105.7 The Fan’s “Vinny and Rob Show,” the time has come to begin the “Round of 32” here on Eutaw Street Report and at Orioles Uncensored.
As we expected, there were not very many big upsets in the first round, which makes for some great matchups down the road. The most notable low seed moving on is #12 Cesar Izturis, who handled #5 Jack Cust by over 200 votes. Two #9 seeds and a #10 advanced, but unfortunately, #10 Anna Benson (and her husband, that one pitcher… what was his name?) were defeated by #7 Rodrigo Lopez by 39 votes.
Just like I mentioned in the first article, I will send you the full PDF of the bracket if you send me an email asking for it. Please continue sharing on Facebook, Twitter, wherever you would like. Baltimore Drought Bracketology really hit the ground running last week and we are thrilled with the response thus far.
You can see the first round matchups here:
Baltimore Drought Bracketology – Round 1, Perlozzo Region
Baltimore Drought Bracketology – Round 1, Trembley Region
and at O’s Uncensored.
So, without further ado, let’s begin the second round!
Sam Perlozzo Region
(1) Melvin Mora
Mora, our #1 overall seed, was the leading vote-getter in the first round. He defeated #16 Jose Bautista, 540-25, to solidify himself as the Kentucky Wildcats of our competition. He will be the man to beat as we continue along in the tournament.
vs. (9) Corey Patterson
The speedy center fielder took care of fellow outfielder Jay Payton in the first round by a lopsided score of 461-65. He faces a tough second round test in Mora.
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(2) Jay Gibbons
Gibby defeated relief pitcher Buddy Groom in the first round, 469-91. The power hitting outfielder will square off against another home run threat in catcher Javy Lopez this round.
vs. (7) Javy Lopez
Much to my dismay, outfielder Jeff Fiorentino was torn apart by Javy Lopez in the first round, 443-91. Lopez could be a dark horse in the tournament if he can get past Gibbons.
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(3) Larry Bigbie
#14 David Newhan posed an early threat to Bigbie in the first round, but the higher seeded outfielder pulled away and avoided the upset, winning by a final score of 320-232. We’ll see if this was due to a love for Newhan or a lack of infatuation with Bigbie.
vs. (6) Luis Matos
Matos had no problem advancing past speedy utility player Freddie Bynum in the first round, 432-89. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Matos give Larry Bigbie a run for his money here in the second round.
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(4) Ramon Hernandez
Ramon had the second highest vote total in the first round and defeated Brian Burres, 476-61. I feel like the insignificance of Burres certainly played a role in this, but Ramon will be put to the test in a second round matchup featuring two catchers.
vs. (5) Geronimo Gil
Gil defeated #12 Radhames Liz in the first round, but that won’t stop me from wearing my Liz jersey to Section 336’s Obscure Orioles Night later this season. Speaking of which, you all should go check that out after you vote on our second round matchups. Just saying.
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Dave Trembley Region
(1) Miguel Tejada
Miggy easily got past #16 Josh Bell in the first round. No surprise there. The only edge Bell had is that he has two career home runs against Cliff Lee to Tejada’s one – it wasn’t enough.
vs. (9) Sidney Ponson
The chunky right-hander defeated less chunky right-hander Jason Johnson, 291-98, in the first round. Color me surprised. I don’t see him getting past the former AL MVP though.
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(2) Erik Bedard
Bedard defeated alleged killer turned All Star pitcher Alfredo Simon, 331-81, to advance to the round of 32. Though he certainly doesn’t have Rob Long’s vote (or anybody in the media’s for that matter), Bedard should continue his winning ways for at least another round or two.
vs. (7) Rodrigo Lopez
Well, no more Anna Benson. Rodrigo defeated the crazy but beautiful baseball wife, 216-177, to knock Anna’s husband Kris out of the tournament… or something like that.
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(3) Tony Batista
Another lopsided first round win (305-98) brings Mr. Coolest Batting Stance Ever to the round of 32, where he will square off with a well-liked relief pitcher in B.J. Ryan. Should be a good matchup.
vs. (6) B.J. Ryan
Ryan advanced past outfielder Marty Cordova, 351-42, probably because he never incinerated his face in a tanning booth. He could be a dark horse in the tournament going forward.
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(4) Kevin Millar
Millar defeated failed pitcher turned failed outfielder Adam Loewen in the first round, 345-58. I expect the Intentional Talk co-host to be a lock to advance to the Sweet Sixteen, but we shall see.
vs. (12) Cesar Izturis
In the biggest upset of the first round, Izturis beat Jack Cust by a score of 309-88. The shortstop has a very tough matchup against Millar in the round of 32, so he has a lot of work to do if he wants to be the Cinderella of the tournament.
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Remember, this is only half of the full bracket! Be sure to head over to O’s Uncensored and vote there as well!
