The 25 Greatest Clutch Performances in Postseason Baseball History

Image via Complex Original

October's almost here and you know what that means...more negotiations on that NBA lockout ending in Nevuary 2012? Nah, son! It's time for the 2011 MLB Playoffs. And if the upcoming postseason proves to be anything like the end of the regular season, fans should prepare for drama of epic proportions. As we showed you earlier, the postseason can be full of painful failures but there's great success, too. From well-known players like Derek Jeter and Sandy Koufax to others who had to prove their worth like Howard Ehmke, the MLB playoffs have always proven to be a stage that anyone can shine on. So, as you prepare for tonight's season finales, check out the 25 Greatest Clutch Performances in Postseason History...

25. The Flip

Player(s): Derek Jeter
Game: Game 3, 2001 ALDS
Date: 10/13/2001
How did Derek Jeter know where to be as Shane Spencer overthrew the cutoff man? Why didn't Jeremy Giambi slide? Why can't DJ pass us some of his leftovers? All questions we don't really know the answers to and probably never will. But this defensive play which brought the Yanks back from the brink of elimination against the Oakland A's is right up there with the all-time greats like Willie Mays' over-the-shoulder grab. A clutch performances list wouldn't be complete without Mr. November.

24. Robertson's "Triple-Double"

Player(s): Bob Robertson
Game: Game 2, 1971 NLCS
Date: 10/3/1971
Old head San Francisco fans are well aware of the day Bob Robertson wreaked havoc on Giants pitchers at Candlestick Park. Down 1-0 in the series, Robertson helped the Pirates even things up by hitting three homers off of three different pitchers and also having a double in Pittsburgh's 9-4 victory. The Pirates would go onto to win the pennant and World Series title that year. Yes young'ns, the Pirates actually used to be good. Very good in fact.

23. The Babe's Called Shot

Player(s): Babe Ruth
Game: Game 3, 1932 World Series
Date: 10/1/1932
The debate over whether or not the Babe really called his own shot still rages among historians today, but either way it still seemed pretty badass and only added to Ruth's legend. Side bar: Whether by opponents such as the Babe, or their own fans like Bartman, the Cubs history of postseason sonnings seems endless.

22. Kirk Gibson's World Series Walk-Off Homer

Player(s): Kirk Gibson
Game: Game 1, 1988 World Series
Date: 10/15/1988
On two bad legs Kirk Gibson hit a walk-off homer off of Dennis Eckersley to win Game 1 of the 1988 World Series. Now why Eck threw an off-speed pitch instead of making Kirk beat his fastball? We have no clue. But we do know that Gibson rounded the bases and started that fist pumpin' trend way before some of those Jersey Shore kids were even born.

21. Babe Goes Deep Three Times

Player(s): Babe Ruth
Game: Game 4, 1926 World Series
Date: 10/6/1926
Way before Mr. October did it more than 50 years later, the Babe went yard three times in the Yankees 10-5 victory over the Cardinals. St. Louis would go onto win the series in seven games but Ruth's Game 4 performance just added to his legend as he went down in history as the first player to ever homer three times in a World Series game. Besides, can you name who was that year's World Series MVP? Exactly. There wasn't one yet, son!

20. Howard Who?

Player(s): Howard Ehmke
Game: Game 1, 1929 World Series
Date: 10/8/1929
Even for baseball players, 35 is a pretty old age to make the biggest start of your career. But when the Philadelphia A's manager Connie Mack surprisingly tapped Ehmke to start Game 1 of the World Series, the veteran right-hander proved he was more than ready. Ehmke set a then-World Series record by striking out 13 Cubs batters in a 3-1 victory. Ehmke's victory also set the tone for the series which the A's won in five games. The win would be his last as he retired at the end of the following season.

19. Edgar, the Yankee Slayer

Player(s): Edgar Martinez
Game: Game 4 and 5, 1995 ALDS
Date: 10/7 and 10/8/1995
Surprisingly, on a team that featured first-ballot future Hall of Famers Randy Johnson and Ken Griffey Jr. it was actually Edgar Martinez who led the Mariners past the Yankees in the 1995 ALDS. His series batting average of .571 along with a pair of home runs in Game 4 and a series clinching hit in Game 5 sent the Mariners to their first ALCS. Definitely one of the most likeable teams if they didn't have this guy on the roster.

18. Mickey Lolich Outduels Bob Gibson

Player(s): Mickey Lolich
Game: 1968 World Series
Date: 10/10/1968
The 1968 World Series MVP produced one of the most dominant pitching performances in MLB postseason history. He not only won Game 2, 5, and 7 for the Tigers but did so in dominant fashion posting a 1.67 ERA. Oh yeah, and who did he have to beat in the deciding Game 7 to win the chip for his team? Hall of Famer Bob Gibson. Fat but great baseball players, FTW!

17. The Catch

Player(s): Willie Mays
Game: Game 1, 1954 World Series
Date: 9/29/1952
Arguably the most well-known defensive play in baseball history, Willie covering the vast outfield of the Polo Grounds to snag Vic Wertz' deep shot is one of baseball's most memorable moments. His presence of mind to get the ball back into the infield before a run could be scored preserved a tie game and eventually led to the Giants winning 5-2 in extra innings. The catch is sometimes imitated but never duplicated.

16. Grover Saves the Cards

Player(s): Grover Cleveland Alexander
Game: Game 7, 1926 World Series
Date: 10/10/1926
Before Nolan Ryan proved that old guys could son MLB young'ns (word to Robin Ventura), Grover Cleveland Alexander was doing the same. Without putting players in chokeholds, of course. Instead, Alexander came on with the bases loaded and pitched the final three innings of Game 7 to secure a title for the Cardinals. Oh yeah, did we mentioned he pitched a complete game the day before? Not bad for a 39-year-old.

15. Fisk Waves Homer Fair

Player(s): Carlton Fisk
Game: Game 6. 1975 World Series
Date: 10/21/1975
During the Sox 86-year drought, they actually won four pennants. One of those came in 1975 and no World Series during the drought was quite as enjoyable this one. In the bottom 12th inning of Game 6, Carlton Fisk pulled a ball down the left field line that looked foul but as Fisk waved his arms fair, the ball seemingly followed. Sox fans rejoiced...but only for one night as they lost the series in the bottom of the ninth the very next day.

14. Big Papi Saves the Day

Player(s): David Ortiz
Game: Games 4 and 5, 2004 ALCS
Date: 10/17-10/18/2004
Go ahead and click to the next slide now, Yankees fans. You know the story; New York was up 3-0 in the series and no team had ever come back from a three game deficit in MLB history before. Big Papi basically said FOH with all that history shit by blasting a walk-off homer in Game 4 then followed it up the next night with a walk-off single in extra innings. You can call him Daddy or Big Papi, fact is dude swings a big stick and has a vicious stroke game. Ayo!

13. Orel Shows 'Em His "O" Face

Player(s): Orel Hershiser
Game: Game 7, 1988 NLCS
Date: 10/12/1988
Orel Hershiser had already won two games and recorded a save in the NLCS prior to Game 7. So, when he took the mound for Game 7 against the Mets, spoiled Dodger fans kind of expected dominance. Hershiser came though pitching a five-hit shutout and was named the series MVP afterward. Considering their rich history, it's kind of sad seeing the disaster that the Dodger organization has become. That's what happens when you have one of the worst owners in pro sports today. We still say Matt Kemp for MVP, though!

12. The Bloody Sock

Player(s): Curt Schilling
Game: Game 6, 2004 ALCS
Date: 10/19/2004
The most famous sock in baseball history? Hell, probably the most famous sock in sports or world history period. After having the tendons in his ankle stabilized, Curt Schilling showed up for Game 6 at Yankee Stadium and pitched the game of his career. As blood oozed from his ankle and soaked the sock, Schilling pitched seven innings, only giving up one run and four hits along the way. Boston defeated the Yanks 4-2 and their historic comeback was nearly complete. Today the bloody sock is on display in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Who knew that a bit of Schilling's blood, Red Sox sweat, and Yankee tears was all it took to break the Curse of the Bambino.

11. Bobby's World...Series

Player(s): Bob Gibson
Game: Games 1, 4, and 7, 1967 World Series
Date: 10/4/-10/12/1967
There are pitchers who do well in big series, then there's ones like Bob Gibson. Dude went H.A.M. in the seven-game series posting an ERA of 1.00 with 26 strikeouts in three complete game victories. The Red Sox came close but with Gibson on the mound, they never had a chance. Soundtrack, please!

10. "Go crazy, folks!"

Player(s): Ozzie Smith
Game: Game 5, 1985 NLCS
Date: 10/14/1985
Though the Wizard was known primarily for his defensive skills, he still could come through in clutch with a big hit every now and then, too. None bigger though than this walk-off homer that gave the Cardinals the upper-hand going into Game 6, where they clinched the National League title with a victory over the Dodgers. See kids, back in the day all it took was Ozzie and Jack Buck to make the St. Louis crowd go H.A.M. FOH, with that Nelly and the St. Lunatics bullshit.

9. Lew Stuns the Yanks

Player(s): Lew Burdette
Game: Games 2, 5, and 7, 1957 World Series
Date: 10/2-10/10/1957
The Yankees were fresh off winning six titles in eight seasons when they met the Milwaukee Braves in the 1957 World Series. And with greats like Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra in the lineup and Don Larsen and Whitey Ford in the rotation, it looked like the Yanks would be going seven for nine. Then Lew Burdette came in and shook things up. Three complete games including two shutouts and a ridiculous ERA of 0.67 shut down the Yankees and led the Braves to win in seven games. 0.67 ERA over three games in the World Series. Jay and Yeezy said it best...

8. "We'll see you tomorrow night!"

Player(s): Kirby Puckett
Game: Game 6, 1991 World Series
Date: 10/26/1991
Everyone remembers the 11th inning walk-off home run, but many overlook the fact that Puckett also had an RBI triple and that he robbed Braves left fielder Ron Gant of an extra base hit with an ill grab earlier in the game. Can't forget about that good D. Get your mind out of the gutter. We're talking about defense, fam.

7. Game 7 Shutout

Player(s): Sandy Koufax
Game: Game 7, 1965 World Series
Date: 10/14/1965
With only two days rest, Sandy Koufax trotted out to the mound and put on the best postseason pitching performance in Dodger history. Koufax had already won two games in the series including a shutout in Game 5, Los Angeles once again leaned the lefty. Once he was out there a fatigued Sandy pitched a three-hit shutout in the Dodgers 2-0 victory over the Twins. Mazel tov!

6. Mr. October

Player(s): Reggie Jackson
Game: Game 6, 1977 World Series
Date: 10/18/1977
From the fresh fro and 'stache to his public feuds with manager Billy Martin, everything about Reggie Jackson screamed badass in the late '70s. That rep became legendary on one October night when Jackson launched three home runs into the stands at Yankee Stadium to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers and clinch the title. Many have had great postseason performances since then but there can only be one Mr. October. Simply, unfuckwitable.

5. Joe Carter Touches 'Em All

Player(s): Joe Carter
Game: Game 6, 1993 World Series
Date: 10/23/1993
Hitting a walk-off home run to win the World Series? It can't be scripted any better than that. Granted it took place in Canada but who cares! Now throw in the ridiculously fresh throwback Toronto unis and the classic call from Tom Cheek--it doesn't get much better.

4. Jack Morris' MVP Perfromance

Player(s): Jack Morris
Game: Game 7, 1991 World Series
Date: 10/27/1991
The way Jack Morris was dealing in Game 7 was straight-up unfair. The Braves and their starter John Smoltz never had a chance. Really, who pitches 10 innings of shutout ball in Game 7 of the World Series? Over 250 wins and nearly 2,500 strikeouts later and dude is still waiting to get into the Hall. C'mon, voters! #getyashittogether

3. Larsen's Perfect Day

Player(s): Don Larsen
Game: Game 5, 1956 World Series
Date: 10/8/1956
In Game 5, Don Larsen helped the Yankees take charge of the series tied at 2-2 by pitching the only perfect game in World Series history. Larsen and catcher Yogi Berra worked together to strike out seven Brooklyn Dodgers in the process. The Yankees went on to win the series and the victory served as payback toward their rivals who had beaten the Yanks in the World Series the year before. After the game, Berra was quoted as saying: "To get the perfect game we simply had to stop them from having any baserunners." OK, he didn't really say that but would you put it past him?

2.Three Shutouts, Six Days

Player(s): Christy Mathewson
Game: Games 1, 3, 5, 1905 World Series
Date: 10/9, 10/12, and 10/15/1905
Is it us or were players from the early 20th century just a bit more beastly (and less roided-up) than the players of this era? Who pitches three shutouts in six days to win the World Series? Not Cliff Lee. This guy known a Christy Mathewson. Simply the most dominant postseason performance by a pitcher of all time.

1. Bill Mazeroski Sons the Yanks

Player(s): Bill Mazeroski
Game: Game 7, 1960 World Series
Date: 10/13/1960
Bill Mazeroski led the Pirates to victory with a walk-off homer in Game 7 of the World Series against the New York Yankees. Let's go over that again: The Pirates beat the Yankees. In Game 7 of the World Series. With a walk-off home run. Does anything else really need to be said?