05-24-2010, 06:05 PM
<!--quoteo(post=98104:date=May 24 2010, 04:48 PM:name=VanSlawAndCottoCheese)-->QUOTE (VanSlawAndCottoCheese @ May 24 2010, 04:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=98100:date=May 24 2010, 05:41 PM:name=KBwsb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KBwsb @ May 24 2010, 05:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->It's more fun to believe that the guy got the hit in the ninth inning not because statistically it was his turn<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I know these aren't your words, KB, but statistical determinism is every bit as much of bunk as "clutchness" is.
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It's not determinism, it's playing the percentages. In a "clutch" situation, the guys who perform better are the guys who hit better. (given enough examples to eliminate small sample size).
So in a clutch situation, you'd rather have Tony Gwynn or Ryne Sandberg up to bat than Neifi Perez, even though Neifi once hit a game-winning pinch-hit grand slam in the 10th inning to beat the reigning NL champion Cardinals. (and I saw it with my own eyes...it was very, very "clutch").
But it doesn't mean he was a "clutch hitter." It means, like a good professional, he pounced on a mistake, and it happened to be in the 10th inning, instead of the 4th.
I know these aren't your words, KB, but statistical determinism is every bit as much of bunk as "clutchness" is.
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It's not determinism, it's playing the percentages. In a "clutch" situation, the guys who perform better are the guys who hit better. (given enough examples to eliminate small sample size).
So in a clutch situation, you'd rather have Tony Gwynn or Ryne Sandberg up to bat than Neifi Perez, even though Neifi once hit a game-winning pinch-hit grand slam in the 10th inning to beat the reigning NL champion Cardinals. (and I saw it with my own eyes...it was very, very "clutch").
But it doesn't mean he was a "clutch hitter." It means, like a good professional, he pounced on a mistake, and it happened to be in the 10th inning, instead of the 4th.
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance