More importantly... Why in **** are we talking about Amos Otis?

Amos Otis and Soren Petro keep hijacking this beautiful thread

There's no evidence "clutch hitting" exists. I just looked up Hosmer who has always been "clutch" esp last year when he had the 3rd highest (of 222) clutch score of 2.19 in Royals history. Only 1976 Brett and 2014 Gordon had higher. Then in the playoffs his splits with runners on were so drastic too.



This year? -0.01 clutch score.

So does "choking" exist?

I think heightened intensity and nerves in big situations can definitely play a role, negatively.

"clutch" exists in the absence of choke.

Although I swear Elway couldn't focus sometimes until he got into crunch time. Also Montana - 4 SBs, 11 TDs, 0 INTs. Hard to argue against that. Some can handle the fog of war some can't.

I agree something like baseball or basketball with much higher variance on each play, clutch seems to not exist.

Anyone who doesn't believe choking exists has never watched a bad relief pitcher pitch. There are plenty of guys who were decent relievers, but the second you put them in the pressure situation in the 8th or 9th inning, they'd fall apart. Not every single time, but they were obviously less effective.

The old men didn't like AO because he was one of the first players to catch fly balls with one hand. Two hands was THE PROPER WAY TO CATCH A FLY BALL!!

Also, the game you're referring to - and I'm pretty sure we're near the same age- was against the Baltimore Orioles. I was at that game. A Saturday day game. My little league team took the bus to that game. Bobby Grich hit the ball to CF and AO smashed into the wall at the old Municipal. He didn't break any bones in his face, but was taken off the field.

Denny Matthews referred to that play in his book.

You were left in a tub alone as a child. It's the only reason you're making statements like the one quoted.

I was about 8 years old and was sitting with my Dad in the right field bleachers that day. I still remember that play. They carried Amos off on a stretcher.

I always think of Calvin Schiraldi in the 1986 World Series. You could see in his eyes that he looked terrified.

And Game 6 of the ALCS last year is another reason why people think Wade Davis is a robot.

I thought he was dead. No padding. He looked rather peaceful laying on George Toma's grass.

Pretty unbelievable that we have at least two people on this board that saw that game live.

I don't believe that "clutchness" really exists - the ability to raise one's game and perform even better than your best in crunch time. At least not in baseball.

But I do believe "anti-clutchness" exists ... The propensity for performing WORSE in key spots. Some guys just can't do it under the bright lights.

I do think there are some characteristics that make a hitter better in the clutch spots... Ability to work counts, batting eye, willingness to shorten up and approach the situation appropriately, etc. But that's not really "clutch." That's "smart."


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