2009 Pepsi Clutch Performer | MLB.com: Fan forum

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You'd be hard-pressed finding a more clutch player than Greinke. His efforts include back-to-back, complete-game victories -- one, against the hard-hitting Rangers in Texas, and two, against the division rival Tigers. Before his final start of April, the only run against him scored on a shortstop's error. Greinke is the first pitcher in Major League history to post an ERA of 0.00 while recording at least 36 Ks in his first four outings. All told, the 25-year-old righty went 5-0 with a 0.50 ERA and an AL-leading 44 strikeouts, emerging as a bona fide ace for Kansas City.

Melky Cabrera has become a trusted face in pressurized situations, coming through when the Yankees need it most. The center fielder's three walk-off hits this season are the most by a Yankee in a single season since Claudell Washington, who had four in 1988, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Two of those three walk-off hits came in May. On May 15, Cabrera came through with a two-out, bases-loaded single off Twins closer Joe Nathan in the ninth inning. Nine days later on May 23, Cabrera rose to the occasion again, connecting on a game-winning single to topple Phillies closer Brad Lidge in a 5-4 decision. All in all during May, Cabrera sported a .556 average in close and late situations and a .381 mark with runners in scoring position.

Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants was selected by fans in an online vote as the winner of the "Major League Baseball Clutch Performer of the Month Presented by Pepsi" for June. In 48.2 innings pitched, he allowed eight earned runs on 35 hits with nine walks and 48 strikeouts. The 25-year-old right-hander collected at least seven strikeouts in five of his six starts and pitched 7.1 innings-or-more in five starts. Lincecum, who was selected to his second All-Star Game earlier this week, tossed an eight-strikeout shutout on June 12th vs. Oakland, a 12-strikeout performance on June 23rd at Oakland, and a two-hit shutout with eight strikeouts on June 29th at St. Louis. With the two-hitter, the reigning N.L. Cy Young Award winner set a new career-best for a complete game, surpassing a four-hit complete game on September 13, 2008. In addition, the Bellevue, Washington native became the first Giants pitcher to hurl three complete games in a four-game span since Jason Schmidt accomplished the feat in June 2003.

According to baseball fans, no player was more "clutch" in 2008 than CC Sabathia.

The left-hander, who started the year with the Indians, finished it with the Brewers, won Major League Baseball's Clutch Performer of the Year Award, presented by Pepsi, after a fan vote on MLB.com.

Sabathia split the regular season between Cleveland and Milwaukee and defended his 2007 American League Cy Young Award by posting a career-best 2.70 ERA in 2008 with a career-high 251 strikeouts in a career- and MLB-leading 253 innings pitched. He was at his best after a July 7 trade brought him to Milwaukee, going 11-2 in 17 starts, including a complete-game win over the Cubs on the final day of the regular season.

April
Chien-Ming Wang
May
Carlos Quentin
June
Jason Giambi
July
Mike Mussina
August
CC Sabathia
September
Ryan Howard

The Yankees' year might have been an early loss if not for Alex Rodriguez's heroics. Time and time again, he came through with success in tight situations, helping to lead the club into the postseason.

For his efforts in what will be remembered as a remarkable individual season worthy of praise, Rodriguez has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the 2007 Major League Baseball Clutch Performer of the Year, presented by Pepsi.

The officially sanctioned Major League Baseball award recognizes the player who performed his best when the game was on the line, and was revealed during a one-hour special, produced by Major League Baseball Productions, on ESPN on Wednesday.

Off to a disappointing 21-29 start despite Rodriguez's exceptional opening act, the Yankees had a large hole to dig out of if they wanted to keep their streak of 13 consecutive postseason appearances intact.

April
Alex Rodriguez
May
Ken Griffey Jr.
June
Chone Figgins
July
Aramis Ramirez
August
Andy Pettite
September
Alfonso Soriano

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Pepsi Clutch Player of the Day: July 9, 2009; Garrett Atkins; PH, Rockies