05-25-2010, 04:01 AM
<!--quoteo(post=98186:date=May 25 2010, 01:18 AM:name=KBwsb)-->QUOTE (KBwsb @ May 25 2010, 01:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=98185:date=May 25 2010, 12:21 AM:name=bz)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (bz @ May 25 2010, 12:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=98183:date=May 25 2010, 12:13 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ May 25 2010, 12:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=98171:date=May 24 2010, 10:40 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ May 24 2010, 10:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I don't disagree with any of that. However, most of that is not what people are talking about when they talk about being clutch.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Or take closers. Every closer has to be clutch. The job is to be clutch. To come in and pitch one inning in a save situation and get it done.
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See LaTroy Hawkins.
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Or Mariano Rivera, bottom of the 9th, 7th Game of the World Series, 2001.
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Isn't that kinda taking it to the extreme though? You cant expect anyone to be 'perfect' all the time, thats a little ridiculous. Being clutch doesn't mean your batting average becomes 1.000, your fielding percentage becomes 1.000 and your ERA becomes 0. At least not to me. Rivera has been good in those situations the overwhelming majority of the time.
Anyway this is an old argument, I still think both sides are arguing about different things, thats why its been going in circles for like 5 years.
I can agree that some people, especially casual fans may think there is some magical clutch ability that makes certain people superhuman in high pressure situations, but I don't think thats what anyone here is or has ever argued. Just that some guys, all other things equal may have the ability to produce on a higher level on average in high pressure situations, thats it.
Or take closers. Every closer has to be clutch. The job is to be clutch. To come in and pitch one inning in a save situation and get it done.
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See LaTroy Hawkins.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Or Mariano Rivera, bottom of the 9th, 7th Game of the World Series, 2001.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Isn't that kinda taking it to the extreme though? You cant expect anyone to be 'perfect' all the time, thats a little ridiculous. Being clutch doesn't mean your batting average becomes 1.000, your fielding percentage becomes 1.000 and your ERA becomes 0. At least not to me. Rivera has been good in those situations the overwhelming majority of the time.
Anyway this is an old argument, I still think both sides are arguing about different things, thats why its been going in circles for like 5 years.
I can agree that some people, especially casual fans may think there is some magical clutch ability that makes certain people superhuman in high pressure situations, but I don't think thats what anyone here is or has ever argued. Just that some guys, all other things equal may have the ability to produce on a higher level on average in high pressure situations, thats it.