Choke Artist vs.Clutch: The St. Patrick's Day Version

Sometime around 11:00 p.m., where ever you live, Fuglys and Cougars are going to gain an average of two to three points on the typical how hot is he or she on scale of one to ten.

I mean let’s be fair there are plenty of us that will file into a fine establishment this evening to knock back a few or few too many tasty beverages to celebrate the fact that St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. (Or at least that’s the reason I am doing it.)

I mean why else could you possibly be shuffling out of the house on a Tuesday night, only to wake up with a ringing in your head that only three Extra Strength Tylenols, Two Gatorades and a Pale of Coffee can cure?

Oh yeah, that’s right because in those three hours between 11pm and 2am we’ll see the dating equivalent of the bottom of the ninth. Most of you are going to take your chance at the plate.

I know what you’re saying; I could do this any Saturday night I want. You’re right, but all those Saturday’s are like the regular season.

They don’t count.

They are all prep work, pre-season, practice for the one that matters.

Somebody has to take the shot with the clock winding down and what I've learned in life? I believe Gene Hackman said it best in the replacements: “Winners want the Ball!”

Now what does picking up the cutie in the tight green t-shirt and jeans have to do with sports?

Well let's take a look. It is my contention that your ability to be clutch, to come through when it matters most, to shine through in this situation is completely affected by your ability to "pick up". I am probably never going to get to stand at the dish at Fenway Park trailing in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded. (When I say probably, I mean never.)

All that being said, it my assertion that the same confidence, the same self-assuredness that it takes to drive the 2-2 count off the wall for a bases-clearing double, or calm a player into drilling a game winning three, will come to the forefront tonight.  It'll come right around the time you make your way through "Hi my name is (fill in the blank) or How are you this evening?" 

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