Being Clutch is everything in October

Clutch. When used as an adjective it means
1. Being or occurring in a tense or critical situation: won the championship by sinking a clutch putt.
2. Tending to be successful in tense or critical situations: The coach relied on her clutch pitcher.

At this time of year in the sports world, being clutch is everything.

Take the Panthers Quarterback Jake Delhomme. He made plays when he had to, including a QB keeper for a critical 1st down late in the fourth quarter to seal the Panthers first win. What better way to weave your way back into the good graces of Panthers fans.

Primarily, though, being clutch in October refers to the baseball diamond. See the Dodgers, Angels and Yankees. Why did they sweep their respective division series? Because they came through in the clutch. For instance, the Dodgers outscored St. Louis 8-1 with runners on and 2 out. That's clutch. Ditto the Angels in the way they beat the Red Sox in games 2 & 3. Each time rallying to push across the go-ahead run with 2 out. It goes without saying how the Yankees rose to the occasion in games 2 & 3 as well. New York doing it with the long-ball and a flare for the dramatic.

This is what October baseball is all about. Hopefully the League Championship Series will be more competitive than the LDS. We''ll just have to wait and see. However, I do know one thing, whichever team hoists the World Series Trophy--it'll be because they came through in the clutch.

--Jason Brown