Who Is Mr. Clutch?

By TIM KURKJIAN

We posed that question to all 28 major league managers by asking them which player in their league, with runners at first and second, two out and the score tied in the ninth, would have the best chance of driving the run home? (The managers were not allowed to vote for one of their own players.) The winners were both clear-cut: Blue Jay Paul Molitor and Giant Barry Bonds.

The results certainly weren't a surprise, but the margins of victory were. In the American League, Molitor received eight of the 14 votes, the White Sox's Frank Thomas got three, and Blue Jays Joe Carter and Roberto Alomar and Ranger Will Clark got one each. Tiger skipper Sparky Anderson, who chose Molitor, said, "I wouldn't even pause. I want to see him batting cleanup on a team where the first three hitters get on base 700 times. I promise you Molitor would knock in more runs than Frank Thomas or anyone. Molitor knows how to get a base hit."

The National League managers were just as unhesitating. Bonds received nine of the 14 votes, the Cubs' Mark Grace got two, and there was one each for the Cubs' Ryne Sandberg, the Reds' Kevin Mitchell and the Padres' Tony Gwynn. Met skipper Dallas Green picked Bonds, saying, "It's pretty much a no-brainer, isn't it? Is there a better hitter in the game? There's not a pitch he can't handle. And he's got discipline and power." Phillie manager Jim Fregosi agreed and paid Bonds probably an even higher compliment, saying, "I'd probably walk him."