True, although isn't there a history with guys who try to come back from similar wrist injuries?

I'm probably just being too nitpicky though. A month ago I thought the Yankees would miss the playoffs, and hopefully these additions, plus the comebacks of Shef and Matsui, will prove me wrong.

Is there such thing as clutch? Some people would call David Ortiz clutch because he always seems to get the big hits when needed. Others like to argue that he is just a good hitter under pressure but no different than anyone else.

There are some that believe in it and some who don't depending on the type of fan that you talk to. Personally, I don't believe in clutch. Ortiz puts up numbers every game regardless of the situation. Especially when a young-en like Carmona is pitching.

Tonight should be a good pitching matchup Mark Buerhle vs Odalis Perez:p

A little - his injury is pretty similar to Derek Lee's, and he f-ed himself trying to rush back. However, most 'clean' injuries (breaks, not ligament issues) are better for the wrist - he might show some loss of power, but other than that the history isn't too negative for him. Add in that he plays through nearly everything, and I'd expect solid stuff, although maybe a slight dip in 'counting' stats.

You'll be proven wrong, I'm pretty sure of it. Most are guessing that Lidle and Abreu are each worth about 2 wins over the guys they replace in these last 60 games . . . an increase in 4 wins from the previous (WC-leading) squad should be more than enough to win the division, or run away with the Wild Card if the Sox get hot.

to me, Ortiz's the best in the A.L. in clutch hitting.

Phillies are 5.5 games behind in the Wild Card race. It won't last.
(I know better than to get all optimistic.)

If I were you, I'd be writing hate mail to Pat Gillick.

Now there's an idea with some real merit!

Prove it.





Seriously though -it's not so much that 'clutch' doesn't exist, it's just that there's no way to measure it or quantify it (that we know of, anyway).

Ortiz has come through a ton in the clutch - trust me, no one knows more than me - but you only remember the good, never remember the bad, so selection bias ahoy. Plus, how much better is 11 times than 5 times? The sample size is impossible . . . there's no way to really know for sure.

Ortiz is sick - but we can't really show 'clutch' to know either way, other than just seeing it and going "Holy God, he did it again!"

Exactly - look at Jeter's numbers in the past two playoff series against the Red Sox, both ALCS, and people still talk about the "clutch." Not to say he hasn't had some big hits and big plays, but the mind plays tricks on you.

Where people get into trouble is when they want to ignore all other stats for awards, and focus on "clutch," like in last year's MVP race, or in the 91 race when Terry Pendleton won. It's like when they base the Cy Young award on wins alone.

Now go home and get some ass!

If this was 2003, the Lopez trade would be great for Boston. The big question that will need to be answered..... will there be room for two players named Javy Lopez in the clubhouse down the stretch?

If the Braves let Jones go to the Cubs, I'm gonna firebomb something.

Yeah, plus the cubs don't have much to give back in return.