Ethier Wins "Clutch Performer Of The Year" Award
by Eric Stephen on Oct 31, 2009 10:51 AM PDT
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PrintThe Dodgers announced yesterday that Andre Ethier won the "2009 MLB Clutch Performer of the Year Award Presented by Pepsi," an honor voted on by fans. From the Dodger press release:
Ethier led the Majors with six walk-off hits, including a Major League record four walk-off home runs (tied with Jimmie Foxx in 1940 and Roy Sievers in 1957): June 6th against the Phillies in the 12th inning; June 29th against Colorado in the 13th inning; August 6th vs. Atlanta in the 9th; and September 15th against the Pirates in the 13th. Ethier has a Major League-leading nine walk-off hits since the beginning of the 2008 season, and his six in 2009 are the most in a single-season by any player since at least 1974.
The left-handed slugger collected six multi-home run games on the year, tied for second with Philadelphia ’s Ryan Howard behind Albert Pujols (10) of the Cardinals. The Arizona State product became just the fourth Dodger in franchise history to amass at least 40 doubles and 30 home runs in the same season, joining Babe Herman (1930), Raul Mondesi (1997) and Eric Karros (1999). On June 26th against Seattle , Andre drove in a career-high six runs and compiled his first career three-homer game, becoming the ninth Dodger in franchise history to accomplish the feat.
Here is a recap of Ethier's six walk-off hits in 2009:
- May 2: On Dodger Thoughts night at the ballpark, not only did I get a copy of Jon Weisman's book, but also got treated to a walk-off win. Tied at one in the 10th inning, the Dodgers loaded the bases with nobody out, when Ethier launched a single off the wall to bring home the 2-1 win over the Padres. This was the ninth straight home win to open the season, a streak that would extend to a record 13 straight before the Manny Ramirez suspension ended the fun four days later.
Ethier Walk-Off: "Single," one RBI - June 5: Down 3-2 to the Phillies, closer Brad Lidge got the first two outs easily, but then ran into some trouble. He got two strikes on each of Casey Blake and James Loney, but they managed to reach base via hit and walk, respectively. Russell Martin then grounded to Pedro Feliz, but the third baseman gave the Dodgers new life by booting the ball. Ethier came up and doubled into the corner, giving the Dodgers a thrilling 4-3 win.
Ethier Walk-Off: Double, two RBI. - June 6: The very next day, Brad Lidge blew another save, but this time to Rafael Furcal, who hit a game-tying pinch hit home run in the ninth inning. The game remained tied at two until the 12th inning, when Ethier slammed a two-out rocket to dead center off Chad Durbin for his second straight walk-off.
Ethier Walk-Off: Home Run, one RBI. - June 29: After a typically solid Randy Wolf start (two runs in six innings), the Dodgers threw a picket fence of relievers at the Rockies. Seven different relievers each pitched one inning, allowing just three baserunners while striking out 13, to keep the game tied into the bottom of the 13th. Blake led off the inning with a single, and Ethier ended it with a shot into the all-you-can-eat pavilion in right field, for a 4-2 Dodger victory, one of 14 against the Rockies in 2009.
Ethier Walk-Off: Home Run, two RBI. - August 6: Down 4-2 entering the bottom of the ninth, the Dodgers had to face Braves closer Rafael Soriano, who came into the game with a 1.80 ERA, and opposing batters were hitting just .157/.234/.221 against him. A pair of singles by Juan Pierre and Furcal gave Ethier yet another opportunity to come through. After taking two balls, Ethier hit a drive to right field that just cleared the wall, sneding Dodger fans into a frenzy yet again. As I wrote in the game recap: "After Ethier hit the home run, Vin Scully didn't speak for 45 seconds, letting the game speak for itself. Sometimes, less is more."
Ethier Walk-Off: Home Run, three RBI. - September 15: Matt Kemp's game-tying RBI single allowed the Dodgers to send the game with the Pirates into extra innings. After three scoreless innings of extra-inning relief by James McDonald (you know, the guy whose 2.72 ERA and 3.41 FIP as a reliever are woefully underappreciated), Ronald Belisario gave up the go-ahead run in the top of the 13th inning, only his second run given up in 18 appearances since returning from the disabled list. Never fear, "Endre" is here. With one out and Furcal on first base, lefty Phil Dumatrait was summoned from the bullpen to face Ethier, who struggled against lefties all season. However, Ethier at Dodger Stadium was a different story, hitting .305/.376/.610 against southpaws wearing the home whites. He came through yet again, launching a towering fly ball that reached the seats in right, his fourth walk-off dinger of the season.
Ethier Walk-Off: Home Run, two RBI.
There were six "MLB Pepsi Clutch Performer of the Month" awards given out this season, but Ethier did not win any of them. He was a candidate in June, but lost the fan vote to Tim Lincecum of the Giants.
It was an amazing season for the 27-year old Ethier. He came to the plate in the ninth inning or later representing either the tying or go-ahead run 42 times this season. All he did was slam five doubles and four home runs, and hit a whopping .448/.619/1.034 in those situations. Congratulations, Endre. This was a well-deserved award.
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No matter how he does the rest of his career
the media will now always refer to him as a clutch hitter.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Just like the media will always refer to Billingsley as a choker.
by silverwidow on Oct 31, 2009 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions
He just needs the opportunity
If he has a few good start in October 2010, the reputation will turn.
Right now, his one good playoff start is overshadowed by his two bad ones. Every Dodger starter at some point this postseason crapped the bed once, so Chad is not alone in his misery.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 31, 2009 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions
All he needs to do is stay healthy
Billingsley will continue to learn and improve.
This upcoming season he will be better than last year.
When he’s 28 years old. He will be recognized as among the best.
by 68elcamino427 on Oct 31, 2009 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Special Year
from Andre, he may have better counting numbers over the next few years but he’ll never have as many big hits as he did this year.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I figured his numbers would be very good with the 6 walk-offs
but as I was looking up his PA as the tying or go-ahead run, it was amazing how long it took me to find an out! He just kept getting on base with the game on the line. I was shocked by how great those numbers were. Amazing.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 31, 2009 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions
I looked up 2008 too
Ethier had 30 PA in the 9th inning or later as the tying or go-ahead run, and he hit .333/.400/.519 with one homer.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 31, 2009 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Good thing we don't believe in clutch hitting
otherwise we’d have a clutch hitter on our hands.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Don't know if I would call an .885 OPS "much better" than .869
He had the weird year in 2008 when his line drive rate was uber-high, at 26.6%. This year it dropped to 20.5% but he became more of a power hitter. Not surprisingly his BABIP was higher in 2008 (.330) than 2009 (.289), understandable with the high LD rate.
I looked up his prOPS and the two seasons are still close, but tilted in favor of this season:
2008: .314/.383/.504 (.888 OPS)
2009: .292/.378/.520 (.898 OPS)
by Eric Stephen on Oct 31, 2009 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions
ethier became a fly ball hitting machine this year
before in 2007 and 2008 he would hit 1.30 GB/FB
this year he went 0.92 GB/FB according to fangraphs..
by matthewmafa on Oct 31, 2009 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah, it seems Ethier made a conscious decision to try for more home runs this year. Hey, whatever works! :)
by Eric Stephen on Oct 31, 2009 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Watch the technique of his swing
compare it to:
Howard
Utley
Ibanez
Werth
or
Bonds
They are all able to generate tremendous bat speed and are able to get the “point of percussion” of the bat on the ball, middle bottom half of the ball, to middle bottom third of the ball, earlier in the strike zone rather than later, but they can do later too.
There are certain of the same things they all do when they swing the bat.
Charlie Manuel knows how to teach it.
by 68elcamino427 on Oct 31, 2009 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Trade Loney to the Phillies and he'd start hitting 35-40 HR per year
by 68elcamino427 on Oct 31, 2009 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions
yea
he would hit like 15 homers on the road like he usually does.. and then another25 into that Right Field porch which is a joke…
You are not gett’in what i’m say’in :)
by 68elcamino427 on Oct 31, 2009 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions
i know what u mean
so add what you mean by what i mean.. and he’d hit around 70 homers
That’s how many Kemp might hit.
Good coaching makes a difference.
Charlie has been very consistently great lately.
by 68elcamino427 on Oct 31, 2009 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions
I really hate the term Clutch
Eithier will now go into eternity as a clutch hitter regardless if he ever hits another game winning hit in his career.
Relax and think about What Would Jack Bauer Do?
If there was ever an award for “Clutch Ace of the Year,” that would be something!
by Eric Stephen on Oct 31, 2009 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions
I have no idea how this guy hasn't been shut down by MLB yet
but there is a YouTube member named DodgerFilms.
He has video of all four Ethier walk-off HR. Thanks to Blue Heaven for the link.
They all consist of him yelling loudly as each home run leaves the yard. Pretty funny.
yeah
his names bobby but i think its perfectly legal
cuz he films it himself…and yeah its funny as hell how he screams after an endre walkoff
When I look at Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of the romantics... -The Great Bill Walton
Filming game action is strictly forbidden without express written consent from MLB
by Eric Stephen on Oct 31, 2009 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions
hmmm
thats odd
theyve been very strict on content that belongs to the MLB on youtube like highlights
but with video recorded at a game theyve been ok with so far…
whats funny is he goes to batting practice and he tries to catch balls while holding his camera
When I look at Boris Diaw, I think of Beethoven and the age of the romantics... -The Great Bill Walton
Filming or Reproduction?
I see alot of people getting quick clips on their phones and cameras. I think if they have to shut that guy down, there’s 10,000 other people on youtube doing the same thing they have to get as well.
by Capt Obvious on Oct 31, 2009 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions
This is what it says in the fine print on the back of a Dodger ticket
By using this ticket, the holder agrees that (1) he or she shall not transmit or aid in transmitting any information about the game (including any pre- and postgame activies) to which this ticket grants admission, including but not limited to, any account, description, picture, video, audio, reproduction or other information concerning the game (collectively “Game Information”); (2) Los Angeles Dodgers, LLC is the exclusive owner of all copyrights and other intellectual and proprietary rights in the game and Game Information; …
If MLB doesn’t like the free advertising they get on youtube, they’ll keep getting those clips removed.
Phillies lineup
no surprise here (same lineup used in all NL playoff games). I will be only watching this game during commercials of tonight’s contest in Eugene, OR.
Rollins SS
Victorino CF
Utley 2B
Howard 1B
Werth RF
Ibañez LF
Feliz 3B
Ruiz C
Hamels P
Yankees lineup
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
A-Rod 3B
Posada C
Cano 2B
Swisher RF
Cabrera CF
Pettitte P
by Eric Stephen on Oct 31, 2009 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Also
Sabathia officially starting tomorrow, on short rest.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 31, 2009 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions
yesss
he gets to bat vs Blanton….
and he also gets to pitch to blanton who is aiming for his 2nd world series home run of his career
Watching the 1969 World Series
on MLB Network right now, and Art Shamsky is batting for the Mets. MLB-N put a fact on the screen that I thought was interesting:
Art Shamsky is the only man to hit 3 HR in a game that he was not in the starting lineup.
Here is the game. Amazing.
Ummm, it ties into this post because Ethier also hit 3 HR in a game this season. :)
also at the game
Jackie Onassis (former Mrs. Kennedy) was in the stands and was shown by the TV cameras. Later, Tony Kubek was interviewing Jerry Lewis, who happened to be sitting about two rows from her. Lewis, only one of the most famous comedians/actors of the time, was standing during the interview and Jackie could be seen in the background asking her friend “who is that?” Really???
by Eric Stephen on Oct 31, 2009 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions
What's up with everyone being overdressed
That was weird. Was that a New York thing or a 1969 thing.
There were a huge majority of old people during that game
I guess weekday world series with expensive tickets skewed the demographics and dress standards.
I love watching old highlights, because the farther you go back in time, the better dressed the fans were. Awesome hats, suits. It seems even hobos wore suits back in the day.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 31, 2009 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Pretty amazing game. Shamsky’s first HR turned a one-run deficit into a one-run lead, the last two re-tied the game in the bottom of an extra-inning – very Ethieresque ABs! (Although Shamsky’s team managed to lose anyway, leaving him in the hole while they hit into a game ending GIDP.)
Tiny Crosley Field was an extreme hitter’s park. The three-year park factor for 1966 according to B-R was 110 (!) for batters.
when will the mlb start to announce the winners of some Awards??
like MVP, Cy Young, and Gold Gloves…
and who might be some dodgers who win or get some top 10 votes??
i think kemp will win a GG and kershaw will be top 7 in Cy Young…
MVP.. maybe ethier or matt kemp might sneak into the top 10 with ethier being more likely cause of his clutch season..
utley howard pujols fielder Hanley ryan braun Tulowitski, werth ibanez and adrian Gonzalez and even mark reynolds
and wow i just noticed how great a season Derek Lee had .306 .393 .579 .972
he will have ALOT of competition for the 7-10 spot cause we know those first 5 are defintly going to beat him out and probably tulo braun will too..
Nope
Kemp will not sniff top 5 sadly. Ethier will finish higher and likely will be somewhere 6-10.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 31, 2009 3:19 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
CLUTCH!
I’m glad Ethier got some recognition. It is pretty funny that a lot of those games he had two chances to be CLUTCH! and failed the first time, but he did come through. I think Kemp and Ethier coming through all year long are great signs and may be even signs how CLUTCH! they are.
I can’t wait to see Kemp get the TIMELY HITTING! award.
According to fangraphs, among batters:
The clutch player of the year was Ryan Howard at 2.74, where they define clutch as:
Clutch: A measurement of how much better or worse a player does in high leverage situations than he would have done in a context neutral environment.The player with the highest WPA was Albert Pujols at 8.24, where they define WPA as:
WPA (win probability added): WPA is the difference in win expectancy (WE) between the start of the play and the end of the play. That difference is then credited/debited to the batter and the pitcher. Over the course of the season, each players’ WPA for individual plays is added up to get his season total WPA.Andre Ethier was 17th in Clutch at 1.01, fifth in WPA at 5.17
Makes sense - Howard is still playing
Dude’s got the swing and he out weighs Ethier by how much?
Wonder what the difference is in their height and the length orf their arms?
Howard generates tremendous bat speed.
by 68elcamino427 on Oct 31, 2009 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions
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