Gems of Junk Wax Bracketology: Victors from the Terrific 32 (Pt. 1)

After this post, we'll have our first entrees into this tournament's "Sweet 16".

While all eight of this region's "Terrific 32" nominees were fantastic pieces of cardboard, the voting didn't prove to be all that nail-biting with any of these matchups.

Each of the following victors won fairly handily.

So, on that note, let's see who'll be advancing to the "Sweet 16".

#9 seed -- 1991 Topps #170 Carlton Fisk (25 votes)

def.

#1 seed -- 1994 Topps #715 Hank Aaron (11 votes)

Had these two not faced each other so early on, I'd bet that both would've advanced deep into the brackets.

Alas, though, one of them had to go. And, as you voters decided, "Hammerin' Hank" was the odd man out.

I've heard rumblings that the Fisk may well be the overall favorite in this tournament.

He's already taken down a potential roadblock with the Aaron. And by a hefty fourteen-vote margin, might I add.

Perhaps the rumors are true.

#13 -- 1994 Topps #180 George Brett (24 votes)

def.

#12 -- 1994 Topps Archives #251 Roberto Clemente (10 votes)

It's a shame the Clemente had to go.

As arguably the all-time greatest "zero-year" card in existence, I would've loved to see it advance further into this thing.

But, in the end, he lost out to a worthy competitor in the Brett.

You'd be hard-pressed to find better photography in this hobby.

#6 -- 1989 Fleer #616 Billy Ripken "Rick Face" (28 votes)

def.

#3 -- 1992 Score #888 Craig Biggio "Dream Team" (6 votes)

This one was never in much doubt.

Was it?

The Biggio is a great card and all, but most of us can probably agree that Mr. Ripken here is easily one of the more iconic images of the overproduction era.

I think the 22-vote margin of victory pretty much says it all.

#2 -- 1989 Upper Deck #145 Nolan Ryan (23 votes)

def.

#7 -- 1989 Upper Deck #452 Goose Gossage (10 votes)

As it happens, Ryan's whopping 13-vote victory actually proved to be the closest matchup this region had to offer.

Like I mentioned, the voting was pretty lopsided across the board with these four pairings.

Much like the Ripken-Biggio matchup, though, the "Battle of the '89 Upper Deck" never seemed to be in too much doubt. As great as the Gossage is, there's a lot to love about the first "multiple-exposure" card in hobby history.

I definitely think the voters got this one right.

With that being said, let's get a preview of what this region's "Sweet 16" matchups are going to look like, shall we?

#9 -- 1991 Topps #170 Carlton Fisk vs. #13 -- 1994 Topps #180 George Brett

#2 -- 1989 Upper Deck #145 Nolan Ryan vs. #6 -- 1989 Fleer #616 Billy Ripken "Rick Face"

Truthfully, I'm kind of happy to not be voting on these matchups. I'd have a heckuva time deciding the victors in either of those pairings.

That being said, look for the next batch of "Terrific 32" matchups later tonight!