Matt

Voting for this round ends on August 18th at 11:59pm. BRACKET ONE Mike Schmidt (Philadelphia Phillies) vs Frank Malzone (Boston Red Sox) Wade Boggs (Boston Red Sox) vs Arlie Latham (St. Louis Browns) Stan Hack (Chicago Cubs) vs Deacon White (Buffalo Bisons) Al Rosen (Cleveland Guardians) vs Ossie Bluege (Washington Senators) Chipper Jones (Atlanta Braves) vs Willie Kamm (Chicago White Sox) Jimmy Collins (Boston Braves) vs Denny Lyons (Philadelphia Athletics) Gary Gaetti (Minnesota Twins) vs Jimmie Dykes (Philadelphia Athletics) Heinie Groh (Cincinnati Reds) vs Bobby Bonilla (Pittsburgh Pirates) BRACKET TWO George Brett (Kansas City Royals) vs Eric Chavez (Oakland Athletics) Frank Baker (Philadelphia Athletics) vs Todd Zeile (St. Louis Cardinals) Ken Boyer (St. Louis Cardinals) vs Bill Bradley (Cleveland Guardians) John McGraw (Baltimore Orioles) vs Billy Nash (Boston Braves) Harlond Clift (St. Louis Browns) vs Freddie Lindstrom (New York Giants) George Kell (Detroit Tigers) vs Doug DeCinces (Baltimore Orioles) Matt Williams (San Francisco Giants) vs Tim Wallach (Montreal Expos) Robin Ventura (Chicago White Sox) vs Richie Hebner (Pittsburgh Pirates) BRACKET THREE Eddie Mathews (Milwaukee Braves) vs Cloyd Boyer (St. Louis Cardinals) Ron Santo (Chicago Cubs) vs Bob Horner (Atlanta Braves) Graig Nettles (New York Yankees) vs Don Money (Milwaukee Brewers) Sal Bando (Milwaukee Brewers) vs Ned Williamson (Chicago Cubs) Bob Elliott (Pittsburgh Pirates) vs Howard Johnson (New York Mets) Lave Cross (Philadelphia Phillies) vs Carney Lansford (Oakland Athletics) Scott Rolen (Philadelphia Phillies) vs Larry Gardner (Boston Red Sox) Toby Harrah (Texas Rangers) vs Terry Pendleton (St. Louis Cardinals) BRACKET FOUR Brooks Robinson (Baltimore Orioles) vs Heinie Zimmerman (Chicago Cubs) Darrell Evans (San Francisco Giants) vs Vince Castino (Chicago White Sox) Pie Traynor (Pittsburgh Pirates) vs Larry Parrish (Texas Rangers) Ron Cey (Los Angeles Dodgers) vs Buddy Lewis (Washington Senators) Buddy Bell (Texas Rangers) vs Red Rolfe (New York Yankees) Bill Madlock (Pittsburgh Pirates) vs Whitey Kurowski (St. Louis Cardinals) Eddie Yost (Washington Senators) vs Bill Joyce (New York Giants) Ken Caminiti (Houston Astros) vs Ken Keltner (Cleveland Guardians)

Rogers Hornsby has won the Greatest Second Baseman tournament. As of now the Talksox.com All-Time Team looks like this... C - 1B - Lou Gehrig, New York Yankees 2B - Rogers Hornsby, St. Louis Cardinals 3B - SS - LF - CF - RF - Babe Ruth, New York Yankees SP - SP - SP - RP - RP - I left LF and CF blank because I think those positions deserve their own winners rather than the runner-up and 2nd runner-up of a OF tourny. Babe Ruth keeps his spot, however, for winning the best OF. Next up, third basemen.

Hornsby. Also, it's up to you guys, but I was thinking of redoing the outfielders later. Instead of just taking top 3 outfielders voted in, how about I make separate tournaments for LFs and CFs? Babe Ruth automatically wins RF since he won the Greatest OF tourney, so there's no need to do that one. That way, the team's outfield isn't unbalanced.

That's one way to jinx him...

I'd be willing to let go of Coco Crisp, Jon Lester, and a mid-level prospect to get Oswalt or Peavy. In a heartbeat.

Voting ends on August 16th at 11:59pm. After this tournament, we'll do 3rd basemen. CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND Rogers Hornsby (St. Louis Cardinals) vs Joe Morgan (Houston Astros)

I think it's as simple as this. If the Red Sox don't make any moves to acquire a frontline starter this off-season, then Papelbon will jump into the rotation. If the Red Sox are able to acquire somebody via trade, say Oswalt or Peavy, then I think Papelbon will stay in the pen until after the 2007 season, when Schilling retires.

Beckett is too predictable, that's his main problem. During games, when he throws a bad curveball, he'll decide to dump the pitch all together and stick with fastball, after fastball, after fastball. Not to mention, everything seems to be over the plate. He could get away with that stuff in the NL, but not in the AL. Like jsinger brought up above, Beckett needs to develop another pitch, and a splitter would be a perfect compliment to his fastball. But along with developing another pitch and improving his changeup, Beckett needs to learn how to locate and how to take something off of his pitches. Everything he throws, including his curveball, is hard. The Red Sox also need to pick up another pitcher this off-season, possibly in a trade (Oswalt?). Beckett isn't ready to be a top-2 pitcher in the Red Sox rotation right now, so maybe by the time Schilling retires after next season, he, along with a newly acquired frontline guy, can anchor the Red Sox pitching staff for the future.

I think that most of the Sox moves will come from trades. I think that guys like Coco Crisp and Matt Clement could be traded away along with prospects for a top end starting pitcher. If the Sox do happen to trade away Crisp, I would expect them to go after Mike Cameron in free agency, who the Sox have eyed for a while now.

Joe Morgan Rogers Hornsby

Jason Johnson is worthless. I can't stand watching the guy pitch to the point that I try to avoid it by only watching the Red Sox at-bats during his starts.

Wily Mo Pena is winning the job at RF as we speak. If this good play out of Wily Mo continues (which I believe it will), then Nixon is sure to be gone by next season.

I don't think Coco that has trouble playing in the Boston limelight, I just don't think he fits in well with this lineup. Coco doesn't walk enough to bat leadoff, he's an average defensive centerfielder, and his basestealing ability doesn't fit in with the Red Sox philosophy. While I believe that Coco is a good player, he's simply not the type of player who fits the Red Sox everyday gameplan. I think that Theo will try to deal him before his contract runs out for some pitching help, thus making room for Jacoby Ellsbury in CF.

Voting for this round ends on August 14th at 11:59pm. WINNERS OF BRACKETS ONE AND FOUR Eddie Collins (Philadelphia Athletics) vs Joe Morgan (Houston Astros) WINNERS OF BRACKETS TWO AND THREE Rogers Hornsby (St. Louis Cardinals) vs Nap Lajoie (Cleveland Guardians)

Voting for this round ends on August 12th at 11:59pm. BRACKET ONE Eddie Collins (Philadelphia Athletics) vs Ryne Sandberg (Chicago Cubs) BRACKET TWO Rogers Hornsby (St. Louis Cardinals) vs Jackie Robinson (Brooklyn Dodgers) BRACKET THREE Nap Lajoie (Cleveland Guardians) vs Craig Biggio (Houston Astros) BRACKET FOUR Joe Morgan (Houston Astros) vs Roberto Alomar (Toronto Blue Jays)

The Red Sox won't and shouldn't make the playoffs this season. They simply do not have the pitching and the offense is just not producing (aside from Manny, Ortiz, and Wily Mo). I know that they're shorthanded right now, but the Red Sox lack the depth that playoff teams need to be successful, and it's showing now more than ever.

BRACKET ONE Eddie Collins (Philadelphia Athletics) vs Billy Herman (Chicago Cubs) Charlie Gehringer (Detroit Tigers) vs Ryne Sandberg (Chicago Cubs) BRACKET TWO Rogers Hornsby (St. Louis Cardinals) vs Nellie Fox (Chicago White Sox) vs Larry Doyle (New York Giants) Jackie Robinson (Brooklyn Dodgers) vs Jeff Kent (San Francisco Giants) BRACKET THREE Nap Lajoie (Cleveland Guardians) vs Willie Randolph (New York Yankees) vs Johnny Evers (Chicago Cubs) Craig Biggio (Houston Astros) vs Red Schoendinest (St. Louis Cardinals) BRACKET FOUR Joe Morgan (Houston Astros) vs Bobby Doerr (Boston Red Sox) Roberto Alomar (Toronto Blue Jays) vs Tom Herr (St. Louis Cardinals)

Voting for this round ends on August 9th at 11:59pm. BRACKET ONE Eddie Collins (Philadelphia Athletics) vs Billy Herman (Chicago Cubs) Charlie Gehringer (Detroit Tigers) vs Ryne Sandberg (Chicago Cubs) BRACKET TWO Rogers Hornsby (St. Louis Cardinals) vs Nellie Fox (Chicago White Sox) vs Larry Doyle (New York Giants) Jackie Robinson (Brooklyn Dodgers) vs Jeff Kent (San Francisco Giants) BRACKET THREE Nap Lajoie (Cleveland Guardians) vs Willie Randolph (New York Yankees) vs Johnny Evers (Chicago Cubs) Craig Biggio (Houston Astros) vs Red Schoendinest (St. Louis Cardinals) BRACKET FOUR Joe Morgan (Houston Astros) vs Bobby Doerr (Boston Red Sox) Roberto Alomar (Toronto Blue Jays) vs Tom Herr (St. Louis Cardinals)

Voting is being extended to August 5th at 11:59pm, since only 3 people have voted. I want at least 5 voters total for each round.

BRACKET ONE Eddie Collins (Philadelphia Athletics) vs Chuck Knoblauch (Minnesota Twins) Charlie Gehringer (Detroit Tigers) vs Bill Mazeroski (Pittsburgh Pirates) Ryne Sandberg (Chicago Cubs) vs Tony Lazzeri (New York Yankees) Joe Gordon (New York Yankees) vs Billy Herman (Chicago Cubs) BRACKET TWO Rogers Hornsby (St. Louis Cardinals) vs Miller Huggins (Cincinnati Reds) Jackie Robinson (Brooklyn Dodgers) vs Davey Lopes (Los Angeles Dodgers) Frankie Frisch (St. Louis Cardinals) vs Jeff Kent (San Francisco Giants) Larry Doyle (New York Giants) vs Nellie Fox (Chicago White Sox) BRACKET THREE Nap Lajoie (Cleveland Guardians) vs Frank White (Kansas City Royals) vs Cupid Childs (Chicago Cubs) Craig Biggio (Houston Astros) vs Tony Cuccinello (Boston Braves) vs Dick McAuliffe (Detroit Tigers) Lou Whitaker (Detroit Tigers) vs Red Schoendienst (St. Louis Cardinals) Willie Randolph (New York Yankees) vs Johnny Evers (Chicago Cubs) BRACKET FOUR Joe Morgan (Houston Astros) vs Junior Gilliam (Los Angeles Dodgers) vs Manny Trillo (Chicago Cubs) Roberto Alomar (Toronto Blue Jays) vs Del Pratt (St. Louis Browns) Bobby Grich (California Angels) vs Bid McPhee (Cincinnati Reds) vs Tom Herr (St. Louis Cardinals) Bobby Doerr (Boston Red Sox) vs Buddy Myer (Washington Senators)

Voting for this round will end on August 4th at 11:59pm. BRACKET ONE Eddie Collins (Philadelphia Athletics) vs Chuck Knoblauch (Minnesota Twins) Charlie Gehringer (Detroit Tigers) vs Bill Mazeroski (Pittsburgh Pirates) Ryne Sandberg (Chicago Cubs) vs Tony Lazzeri (New York Yankees) Joe Gordon (New York Yankees) vs Billy Herman (Chicago Cubs) BRACKET TWO Rogers Hornsby (St. Louis Cardinals) vs Miller Huggins (Cincinnati Reds) Jackie Robinson (Brooklyn Dodgers) vs Davey Lopes (Los Angeles Dodgers) Frankie Frisch (St. Louis Cardinals) vs Jeff Kent (San Francisco Giants) Larry Doyle (New York Giants) vs Nellie Fox (Chicago White Sox) BRACKET THREE Nap Lajoie (Cleveland Guardians) vs Frank White (Kansas City Royals) vs Cupid Childs (Chicago Cubs) Craig Biggio (Houston Astros) vs Tony Cuccinello (Boston Braves) vs Dick McAuliffe (Detroit Tigers) Lou Whitaker (Detroit Tigers) vs Red Schoendienst (St. Louis Cardinals) Willie Randolph (New York Yankees) vs Johnny Evers (Chicago Cubs) BRACKET FOUR Joe Morgan (Houston Astros) vs Junior Gilliam (Los Angeles Dodgers) vs Manny Trillo (Chicago Cubs) Roberto Alomar (Toronto Blue Jays) vs Del Pratt (St. Louis Browns) Bobby Grich (California Angels) vs Bid McPhee (Cincinnati Reds) vs Tom Herr (St. Louis Cardinals) Bobby Doerr (Boston Red Sox) vs Buddy Myer (Washington Senators)

Me too. The Braves' counter-offer including Lester is why the Sox didn't pull the trigger. The Sox initially offered Coco, Hansen, and a third unknown prospect.

I'm just glad that Theo didn't panic and accept the Braves' offer of Andruw Jones for Coco Crisp, Craig Hansen, and Jon Lester. That would have been awful.

BRACKET ONE Eddie Collins (Philadelphia Athletics) vs Ron Hunt (New York Mets) Charlie Gehringer (Detroit Tigers) vs Johnny Temple (Cincinnati Reds) Ryne Sandberg (Chicago Cubs) vs George Grantham (Pittsburgh Pirates) Joe Gordon (New York Yankees) vs Dave Cash (Pittsburgh Pirates) Billy Herman (Chicago Cubs) vs Robby Thompson (San Francisco Giants) Tony Lazzeri (New York Yankees) vs Davey Johnson (Baltimore Orioles) Bill Mazeroski (Pittsburgh Pirates) vs Bobby Avila (Cleveland Guardians) Hardy Richardson (Buffalo Bisons) vs Chuck Knoblauch (Minnesota Twins) BRACKET TWO Rogers Hornsby (St. Louis Cardinals) vs Glenn Beckert (Chicago Cubs) Jackie Robinson (Brooklyn Dodgers) vs Danny Murphy (Philadelphia Athletics) Frankie Frisch (St. Louis Cardinals) vs Claude Ritchey (Pittsburgh Pirates) Larry Doyle (New York Giants) vs Jim Gantner (Milwaukee Brewers) Nellie Fox (Chicago White Sox) vs Frank Bolling (Detroit Tigers) Jeff Kent (San Francisco Giants) vs Phil Garner (Pittsburgh Pirates) Davey Lopes (Los Angeles Dodgers) vs Gil McDougald (New York Yankees) Miller Huggins (Cincinnati Reds) vs Kid Gleason (Philadelphia Phillies) BRACKET THREE Nap Lajoie (Cleveland Guardians) vs Felix Milan (Atlanta Braves) Craig Biggio (Houston Astros) vs Tony Cuccinello (Boston Braves) Lou Whitaker (Detroit Tigers) vs Fred Pfeffer (Chicago Cubs) Willie Randolph (New York Yankees) vs Bobby Lowe (Boston Braves) Johnny Evers (Chicago Cubs) vs Eddie Stanky (Brooklyn Dodgers) Red Schoendienst (St. Louis Cardinals) vs Steve Sax (Los Angeles Dodgers) Dick McAuliffe (Detroit Tigers) vs Lonny Frey (Cincinnati Reds) Cupid Childs (Cleveland Spiders) vs Frank White (Kansas City Royals) BRACKET FOUR Joe Morgan (Houston Astros) vs Jimmy Williams (New York Yankees) Roberto Alomar (Toronto Blue Jays) vs Tom Daly (Brooklyn Dodgers) Bobby Grich (California Angels) vs Bill Doran (Cleveland Guardians) Bobby Doerr (Boston Red Sox) vs Tony Taylor (Philadelphia Phillies) Buddy Myer (Washington Senators) vs Max Bishop (Philadelphia Athletics) Bid McPhee (Cincinnati Reds) vs Tom Herr (St. Louis Cardinals) Del Pratt (St. Louis Browns) vs Marty McManus (St. Louis Browns) Junior Gillam (Los Angeles Dodgers) vs Manny Trillo (Chicago Cubs)

The voting for this round will end on July 31st at 11:59pm. You guys know how this works. BRACKET ONE Eddie Collins (Philadelphia Athletics) vs Ron Hunt (New York Mets) Charlie Gehringer (Detroit Tigers) vs Johnny Temple (Cincinnati Reds) Ryne Sandberg (Chicago Cubs) vs George Grantham (Pittsburgh Pirates) Joe Gordon (New York Yankees) vs Dave Cash (Pittsburgh Pirates) Billy Herman (Chicago Cubs) vs Robby Thompson (San Francisco Giants) Tony Lazzeri (New York Yankees) vs Davey Johnson (Baltimore Orioles) Bill Mazeroski (Pittsburgh Pirates) vs Bobby Avila (Cleveland Guardians) Hardy Richardson (Buffalo Bisons) vs Chuck Knoblauch (Minnesota Twins) BRACKET TWO Rogers Hornsby (St. Louis Cardinals) vs Glenn Beckert (Chicago Cubs) Jackie Robinson (Brooklyn Dodgers) vs Danny Murphy (Philadelphia Athletics) Frankie Frisch (St. Louis Cardinals) vs Claude Ritchey (Pittsburgh Pirates) Larry Doyle (New York Giants) vs Jim Gantner (Milwaukee Brewers) Nellie Fox (Chicago White Sox) vs Frank Bolling (Detroit Tigers) Jeff Kent (San Francisco Giants) vs Phil Garner (Pittsburgh Pirates) Davey Lopes (Los Angeles Dodgers) vs Gil McDougald (New York Yankees) Miller Huggins (Cincinnati Reds) vs Kid Gleason (Philadelphia Phillies) BRACKET THREE Nap Lajoie (Cleveland Guardians) vs Felix Milan (Atlanta Braves) Craig Biggio (Houston Astros) vs Tony Cuccinello (Boston Braves) Lou Whitaker (Detroit Tigers) vs Fred Pfeffer (Chicago Cubs) Willie Randolph (New York Yankees) vs Bobby Lowe (Boston Braves) Johnny Evers (Chicago Cubs) vs Eddie Stanky (Brooklyn Dodgers) Red Schoendienst (St. Louis Cardinals) vs Steve Sax (Los Angeles Dodgers) Dick McAuliffe (Detroit Tigers) vs Lonny Frey (Cincinnati Reds) Cupid Childs (Cleveland Spiders) vs Frank White (Kansas City Royals) BRACKET FOUR Joe Morgan (Houston Astros) vs Jimmy Williams (New York Yankees) Roberto Alomar (Toronto Blue Jays) vs Tom Daly (Brooklyn Dodgers) Bobby Grich (California Angels) vs Bill Doran (Cleveland Guardians) Bobby Doerr (Boston Red Sox) vs Tony Taylor (Philadelphia Phillies) Buddy Myer (Washington Senators) vs Max Bishop (Philadelphia Athletics) Bid McPhee (Cincinnati Reds) vs Tom Herr (St. Louis Cardinals) Del Pratt (St. Louis Browns) vs Marty McManus (St. Louis Browns) Junior Gillam (Los Angeles Dodgers) vs Manny Trillo (Chicago Cubs)