I see it all the time on here, used both correctly and incorrectly. Lots of "Big Papi is clutch" (true) and "Arod isn't clutch" (untrue if anyone bothers to check the stats).
And haven't Bill James and the statheads argued that it might not even exist, that "clutch" hitting provides too small a sample size to be relevant, and that most players will tend towards the mean given enough chances? I think some clutch guys do exist - Mike Sweeney is an obvious example of a guy who picks it up with guys on base.
It just seems to me that people throw it around here, and on TV/radio, without really knowing whether or not it's true.
Thoughts?
2006-07-25 07:36:50 · 7 answers · asked by Craig S 7 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Yes, people do over use the work clutch. The word clutch should only be used to defined a season truing event. David Ortiz in the 2004 ALSC was clutch. David Ortiz in April not clutch. Don't get me wrong what he does in April matter, but doesn't matters as much as it does in OCT. Clutch should be defined as what you do in the biggest moment on the biggest stage.
2006-07-25 07:46:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
If you want to audit the use of the word "clutch", you would have to define the relevance of the word. If the 'baseball meaning' of the word is "to succeed at key moments in the game more often than at other moments", then to determine whether it's use is appropriate would require definitions for "succeed" and 'key moment'.
For example, success might be quantified by advancing a runner, and/or the batter, a number of bases. Key moment in a game might be down by x runs with y innings left to play etc. Would this provide a fair barometer of a players mettle? I don't think so. Would it provide an accurate method of predicting future similar successes? I doubt it. Might as well let people use the word as they see fit, as it is only an opinion. Is Mike Sweeney clutch? He is if you say so.
Sort of like how Dan Dierdorf sees the the most amazing catch, tackle, block, pass etc. he has EVER seen in each quarter of football he commentates. He loves speaking with superlatives. That's his opinion.
2006-07-25 08:21:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Big Papi is clutch
the word was invented for him, and offically anyone who is not clutch, isn't clutch. However, unclutch is a very different thing. So A-Rod might not be particularly unclutch, but he certainly isn't clutch. On the Yankees Bernie Williams/Jeter are clutch. Mo Rivera is clutch. Arod while not clutch is not unclutch either.
2006-07-25 07:41:39 · answer #3 · answered by AnswerMan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People always overuse "clutch" people think that a clutch situation is wen runners are on a you drive them in, but really its when the game is on the line and you drive a run in to win the game.
2006-07-25 08:28:02 · answer #4 · answered by mattdoggbball11 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Overused but important to any sport is the best peformance in important times of contests. Some people do not want the ball in closing seconds (basketball) and some relish the opportunity. Same for late innings in baseball some do well, some just don't........
2006-07-25 07:57:49 · answer #5 · answered by Steve P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, it's been a while since I heard the term "clutch." I used to hear it all the time, then it seemed to disappear. I guess it's back lol =P
2006-07-25 07:40:25 · answer #6 · answered by martini_kiss81 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2006-07-25 15:41:37 · answer #7 · answered by CubsFan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋