Is 'clutch hitting' overrated?

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Posted By: Howard W. Rosenberg

I’m not versed in any statistical analyses of clutch hitting (does it really mean driving in just runs that win a game, or driving in any runs when given an opportunity to do so), but Anson has a massive RBI total and was known to have nerves of steel (at least while batting; he could seem rattled a bit at other times, especially in arguing with the umpire or in giving blunt direction to teammates during a game). On June 22, the following table appeared in the Hartford Courant:

Career RBI Leaders
(y-played prior to 1901)

1. Hank Aaron 2,297
2. Babe Ruth 2,213
3. y-Cap Anson 2,076
4. Lou Gehrig 1,995
5. Stan Musial 1,951
6. Ty Cobb 1,938
7. Jimmie Foxx 1,922