I think if 'clutch' means anything it should only apply to pitchers, and in particular closers. The only way a hitter can change a result in the ninth is if the Pitcher makes a mistake, Gibson hitting that legendary homer off Eckersleys Slider (when he was throwing a 100 mph Heater that Gibson would never have been able to turn on) that 'slid' right into his wheelhouse is one such example, or Pat Darcy throwing Carlton Fisk (a notorious lowball hitter)the low fastball that he hit the foul pole with to win game 6 of the 1975 WS. The 'Shot heard round the world' might never have happened if poor Ralph Branca hadn't tried to get two high, inside, fastballs in a row past Bobby Thomson (it's suicide to give a batter a pitch as a 'sighter'then throw the EXACT same pitch again).
If Pitchers do what they are supposed to do, get ahead in the count and make the Batter swing at pitches he doesn't want to, then there is no 'clutch' hitting, period.
[ March 25, 2002: Message edited by: VEASE ]</p>
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