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Gilbert MainesGosh, clutch hitting is one potential characteristic of a ball player, along with proficiency in making the double play, successfully coming in on the bunt, going from first to third on a single, etc. Admittedly, clutch hitting is very dramatic, but it arises less often than the double play, going from 1st to 3rd, etc. So which is most valuable is not the question.
A team manager assembles his team from a pool of players who exhibit the capabilities shown above, and others. A successful manager is one who chooses wisely.
It was nice to have a clutch hitter like Dusty Rhodes on the bench for the Giants in the '54 WS. But sometimes players just rise to the occasion, eventhough they are not particularly known for clutch hitting. Dent and Mazeroski immediately come to mind.
Again, the clutch hitting aspect arises less frequently than other desireable player characteristics, so although it makes good press, it is not viewed by me as singularly important.