All-Time Favorite Brewers Bracket - Sweet 16
Welcome to the Sweet 16 in our All-Time Favorite Brewers bracket! The 2nd Round of the tourney saw mostly favorites make their mark in the Aaron, Yount and Molitor Regions, while a pair of lower seeds are making noise in the Scott Region.
Take a look at all the Round 2 results below and then make your way to the Sweet 16 matchups. The battles continue to add intrigue and fans will have even tougher choices to make as we move along.
Round 2 Results - Aaron Region
(1) Cirillo over (9) Jaha - 81% votes
Jaha had a couple big hits early, but "Rillo's steady stroke was too much to overcome.
(4) Greinke over (12) Vina - 73% votes
Vina was handily dismissed as Greinke broke him down to the core and whipped him psychologically.
(3) Vuckovich over (11) Slaton - 93% votes
Vuke overpowered Slaton from the get-go. He continues to look like a threat to the top seeds.
(2) Lucroy over (7) Loretta - 64% votes
The closest contest in this region, Luc is showing some weakness - and his Sweet 16 could be rough.
Round 2 Results - Scott Region
(1) Fielder over (9) Hardy - 93% votes
All the Hardy love disappeared in Round 2 as Fielder laid waste to his former teammate.
(13) Deer over (5) Sexson - 57% votes
Everyone loves an underdog, and the 13th-seeded Deer powered his way to upset number 2.
(6) Oglivie over (3) Sabathia - 52% votes
It was a fight to the finish, but the longer-standing Brewer created a larger fan base. Is it an older audience that favored Benji or did Sabathia's brief stint only earn so much love?
(2) Cooper over (7) Hart - 95% votes
Hart never stood a chance with Cooper sweet-swinging his way to a blowout win and Sweet 16 berth.
Round 2 Results - Yount Region
(1) Thomas over (8) Money - 98% votes
The win wasn't surprising, but an absolute thrashing might make Thomas THE favorite at this point.
(4) Jenkins over (5) Vaughn - 50.7% votes
They're like a Yin and Yang of Brewers' left fielders and their battle came down to a five-swing HR derby with Jenkins getting by on a shot off the foul ple.
(3) Braun over (11) Bones - 95% votes
Braun remains an intriguing 3-seed, though this matchup was over before it began.
(2) Sheets over (7) Hamilton - 88% votes
Hamilton just didn't have the elite talent or voting juice to keep up in this tourney as Sheets remains strong.
Round 2 Results - Molitor Region
(1) Gantner over (8) Weeks - 86% votes
Some thought this would be closer, yet "Gumby" dominates for another week with a favorable schedule.
(5) Simmons over (4) Higuera - 51% votes
In a minor upset, "Simba" takes down the oft-criticized Higuera. Maybe '82 has a bigger pull than individual stats. Not that Simmons was a slouch.
(3) Plesac over (6) Gallardo - 74% votes Yo was strong early, but threw too many pitches early to sustain it. The Sac Man took advantage and slammed the door shut.
(2) Fingers over (10) Capuano - 96% votes
Another closer over a starter, though this matchup had an expected outcome.
That all leads us to the Sweet 16 where the action should tighten up a bit. All of the duels are below across the four regions. You can vote on these until Thursday, March 24th at 10pm (CT). As always, a few different ways for you to submit your selections.
Twitter: Tweet me @Tim_Muma
Facebook: Send me a message on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/Tim.J.Muma) or post votes as a comment under the appropriate post. Email: Vote with an email to tim.j.muma@gmail.com
You can see all the matchups here with a few notes included, as well as the updated brackets at the bottom of the article. Enjoy!
Sweet 16 - Aaron Region
Cirillo is the only Brewer other than Paul Molitor to have 2 seasons with a .325 average or better, and the only Brewer other than Robin Yount with 2 seasons of 45 doubles or more. Greinke wasn't here long, but owns the single-season club record for K/9 IP (10.54), went 25-9 with Milwaukee, and was always a great sound bite.
A pair of contrasting personalities from different eras do battle. Both grinders, Vuke fought for everything, leading to a franchise-best career Win-Loss% (.603) for what that's worth. Luc's had some great (and record-breaking) years at the game's toughest position, gaining respect and praise across the league.
Sweet 16 - Scott Region
Both could hit the ball a country mile, though Fielder did it far more consistently and with the ability to reach base at a high clip, as evidenced by his club-best .390 career OBP and .929 OPS. Deer didn't quite deliver the same overall punch, but he fit into the mold of what 80's Brewers fans desired, and he will always have Easter Sunday.
Coop is all over the franchise leaderboard, including 4th in career WAR (30.5) and AVG (.302) while 3rd in runs scored and total bases. He also has the most hits in a season for a Brewer (215) and is the only one with three 200-hit seasons. You'll find Oglivie in the top 10 in most offensive categories as well, including 10th in WAR (21.4), 7th in HR and total bases, and 6th in RBI.
Sweet 16 - Yount Region
Another battle of outfielders, Thomas seemed to have less detractors than Jenkins who had 212 HR as a Brewer...Thomas had 208 taters. Jenks outslugged him .496 to .461, but Thomas has 3 of the top 10 HR seasons in club history with three 100-RBI seasons (Jenkins had zero). In franchise career WAR, Jenkins is higher at 8th (22.0), but Thomas has the better offensive WAR at 10th (19.9).
One of the best pitchers in club history versus arguably the greatest hitter. Sheets was a beast with great stuff who earned an All-Star start, but suffered on bad teams and was criticized for injuries. Braun's incredible offensive output is well documented, and he rivals (sometimes bests) Yount and Molitor in many areas. Of course, the PED admission taints it a bit. This matchup could go either way.
Sweet 16 - Molitor Region
Some feel the committee was soft on Gantner in this region, as many would argue he was the worst 1-seed with a lack of elite stats. Don't forget he's part of the greatest hitting trio in MLB history and played an important role on some great teams. Simmons was a teammate on a few of those clubs and was the best catcher in franchise history before Lucroy started making noise.
A 7-year run vs. a 4-year stint. Homegrown talent vs. a proven veteran brought in. Clean-cut vs. handlebar mustache. Lefty vs. righty. Fingers earned a Cy Young and MVP in Milwaukee, has the 3rd-most saves (97) in club history, and has his number retired. Plesac has the most saves (133), was a 3-time All-Star with the Brewers, and praises Milwaukee to no end. It's a 9th-inning showdown.
