The 2011 baseball season is now underway. While 'March Madness' will leak a bit into April, the new MLB campaign will continue to bring joy to millions straight through the fall.
In a tribute to both the nation's pastime and a slight nod to college hoops, I've set up a 32-player bracket as part of yet another RealGM 'Be A GM' contest.
If you don't remember how a 'Be A GM' series operates, it's a simple concept. We picked one player from each of the league's thirty teams to represent his club as their franchise cornerstone. In some cases we are talking about a prospect, Washington's Bryce Harper. In others we are talking about a sure-fire Hall of Fame like Albert Pujols.
Because a 30-player bracket doesn't play out evenly, we've added two Wild Cards, one from each league. Those additions are Evan Longoria and Tim Lincecum, who were passed over when the representative for Rays and Giants was selected, respectively.
Each day, we'll ask you to vote on which player you'd rather start a team with. Don't consider just the present or past, but also the future. We're talking about a player you'd want in your uniform for years to come.
Please bookmark this piece, as it will be a great guide for the contest. I'll be updating it daily with new links to matchup pieces and polls. It will begin on Monday, April 4.
First Round
Monday, April 4
Nick Markakis, BAL vs. Adrian Gonzalez, BOS.
Tuesday, April 5
Robinson Cano, NYY vs. David Price, TBR.
Wednesday, April 6
Jason Heyward, ATL vs. Hanley Ramirez, FLA.
Thursday, April 7
David Wright, NYM vs. Roy Halladay, PHI.
Friday, April 8
Jose Bautista, TOR vs. John Danks, CWS.
Monday, April 11
Carlos Santana, CLE vs. Miguel Cabrera, DET.
Tuesday, April 12
Bryce Harper, WSH vs. Starlin Castro, CHC.
Wednesday, April 13
Joey Votto, CIN vs. Michael Bourn, HOU.
Thursday, April 14
Joakim Soria, KC vs. Joe Mauer, MIN.
Friday, April 15
Mike Trout, LAA vs. Brett Anderson, OAK.
Monday, April 18
Ryan Braun, MIL vs. Pedro Alvarez, PIT.
Tuesday, April 19
Albert Pujols, STL vs. Justin Upton, ARI.
Wednesday, April 20
Felix Hernandez, SEA vs. Josh Hamilton, TEX.
Thursday, April 21
Evan Longoria, TBR vs. Tim Lincecum, SFG.
Monday, April 26
Troy Tulowitzki, COL vs. Clayton Kershaw, LAD.
Tuesday, April 27
Mat Latos, SDP vs. Buster Posey, SFG.
Sweet Sixteen
Friday, April 29
Adrian Gonzalez, BOS vs. Robinson Cano, NYY.
Monday, May 2
Hanley Ramirez, FLA vs. Roy Halladay, PHI.
Tuesday, May 3
Jose Bautista, TOR vs. Miguel Cabrera, DET.
Wednesday, May 4
Bryce Harper, WSH vs. Joey Votto, CIN.
Thursday, May 5
Joe Mauer, MIN vs. Brett Anderson, OAK.
Friday, May 6
Ryan Braun, MIL vs. Albert Pujols, STL.
Tuesday, May 10
Felix Hernandez, SEA vs. Tim Lincecum, SFG.
Wednesday, May 11
Troy Tulowitzki, COL vs. Buster Posey, SFG.
Elite Eight
Thursday, May 12
Robinson Cano, NYY vs. Miguel Cabrera, DET.
Friday, May 13
Roy Halladay, PHI vs. Joey Votto, CIN.
Monday, May 16
Joe Mauer, MIN vs. Tim Lincecum, SFG.
Tuesday, May 17
Albert Pujols, STL vs. Troy Tulowitzki, COL.
Final Four
Wednesday, May 18
Robinson Cano, NYY vs. Tim Lincecum, SFG.
Thursday, May 19
Roy Halladay, PHI vs. Albert Pujols, STL.
Championship Round
Friday, May 20 - Tuesday, May 24
Tim Lincecum, SFG vs. Albert Pujols, STL.
Andrew Perna writes on the MLB and NBA for RealGM.
Follow @Andrew_Perna on Twitter.





