The Cubs are simply not clutch

[SouthSideRyan]

 

 

I hate to say it, but in my mind, there are winners- Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong. And there are losers- like the 2007 Chicago Cubs have been. And it's been a collective effort.

 

 

You know who else were losers? Those gutless choking St. Louis Cardinals of '06. They tried so hard to give away the division to mediocre teams through their gutless choking. At least they got theirs in the end when they had to play legitamate teams who wouldn't lose to unclutch teams in the playoffs.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Just imagine how "un-clutch" we'd be if we still had Farnsworth.

[Banedon]

Everyone believes in clutchness when it comes to basketball, or even football, yet a lot of people believe that baseball is more just a game of chance and statistics.

 

This is just false. I don't believe in clutchiness in those sports either. I believe there are good players, and there are bad players. For example, MJ. He wasn't JUST good in the clutch, he was good all the time.

 

If you want to call the Cubs inconsistent, right on. If you want to say they suck, there's a clear case for that. But this idea that we just can't do it in the clutch is just silly. Especially since the statistics specifically refute that. Let's post them again for clarity.

 

The following stats are when the Cubs are in a "close and late" situation. The definition of this is when the game is in the 7th inning or later and the batting team is leading by one run, tied, or has the potential tying run on base, at bat or on deck. Presumably, if "Clutchiness" exists, this would be the time:

 

The Cubs are 3rd in the MLB in runs scored close and late, with 60. They are behind the Phillies and Houston.

 

The Cubs are 5th in the MLB in average close and late, with .281. The Cardinals are first in this category.

 

The Cubs are 10th in OPS close and late with .753. St Louis again leads this category.

 

The Cubs are 3rd in RBI close and late with 56. Philly and Houston are above them.

 

Just for reference on how meaningless clutch stats are, the Mets and San Diego, the two best records in the NL, are near or at the bottom in each of these categories.

[Derwood]

i thank FJM for the constant reminder that Derek "Mr. Clutchy Post Season" Jeter has EXACTLY the same stats in the playoffs as the regular season

[cjbucks]

I think clutches are important in all types of auto racing 8-)

[Fred Hornkohl]

I think clutches are important in all types of auto racing 8-)

 

.... and trucking, too !!! :wink:

[kente777]

If you want to say they suck, there's a clear case for that.

 

I think one can make a clear case that the Cubs DO NOT suck. Under Dusty, yes, they sucked. But this year I believe they are just inconsistent (which I guess you can say about every Cubs team).

 

Starting pitching has surprised me.

Offense is inconsistent but has shown signs of coming to life.

The bullpen...now the bullpen SUCKS.

 

However, despite our inconsistency, we are still in the thick of it and I think we can win the central. We are in 2nd place and only 5.5 games out of first. I think you can hardly say the Cubs suck overall. Yes, they have periods of suckiness, but the Cubs do not suck. JMHO

 

Ken

[Exile on Waveland]

i thank FJM for the constant reminder that Derek "Mr. Clutchy Post Season" Jeter has EXACTLY the same stats in the playoffs as the regular season

 

I don't like Jeter and am dubious about clutchness, but I'd say that is pretty good. Factoring in the added pressure, small sample sizes and better pitching, equal stats is pretty impressive, in my opinion. I'd argue that is clutch -- or, more precisely, that there really isn't clutch but only players that perform the same no matter what. I do believe, however, anti-clutch exists.

[Banedon]

If you want to say they suck, there's a clear case for that.

 

I think one can make a clear case that the Cubs DO NOT suck. Under Dusty, yes, they sucked. But this year I believe they are just inconsistent (which I guess you can say about every Cubs team).

 

Starting pitching has surprised me.

Offense is inconsistent but has shown signs of coming to life.

The bullpen...now the bullpen SUCKS.

 

However, despite our inconsistency, we are still in the thick of it and I think we can win the central. We are in 2nd place and only 5.5 games out of first. I think you can hardly say the Cubs suck overall. Yes, they have periods of suckiness, but the Cubs do not suck. JMHO

 

Ken

 

Well it's not like we're playing in a great division though, lets be honest. But still, all I was saying is that a case could be made.