Top Clutch Performances of the Week
Clutch performances are back. Only this time, it comes with an Olympic-sized twist. Now that the 2016 Rio Olympic Games are underway, we've cranked things up a notch.
Exploring all of the greatness displayed in Brazil thus far, this list is packed with amazing moments. From swimming to tennis and beyond, the word clutch has never looked so good.
Not to be forgotten, we've also included some top moments from the world of Major League Baseball. Melding those elements together, it's time now to bring you the top clutch performances of the week.
Katie Ledecky Shatters Her Own World Record
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Who: Katie Ledecky
When: August 7, Summer Olympics 2016
United States swimmer Katie Ledecky is a force to be reckoned with. Her performance on August 7, during the 400-meter freestyle, was like watching a Jet Ski race a group of people.
Shattering her own world record, Ledecky exploded past the competition, posting a new record of three minutes, 56.46 seconds. The clutch performance was not only riveting to watch, it also resulted in a gold medal for the 19-year-old swimming sensation.
Stephen Vogt Puts on for the Oakland Athletics
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Who: Oakland Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt
When: August 8 vs. Baltimore Orioles
There hasn't been a great deal to cheer about in Oakland these days. Considering the Athletics are at the bottom of the American League West, headlines are far and few in between.
But the A's were able to stop the Baltimore Orioles, part in thanks to catcher Stephen Vogt's big night at the plate.
Vogt filled up the box score, homering once, driving in two runs and scoring twice. His efforts helped the A's take down the Orioles by a final score of 3-2, sending the Orioles into a first-place American League East tie with the Boston Red Sox afterward.
Even though his team probably won't make it to the postseason, Vogt at least got to play spoiler for one night.
Lilly King Pulls Her Very Own Rocky Moment
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Who: Lilly King
When: August 8, Summer Olympics 2016
Rocky IV was all about the United States taking on the Soviet Union. Rocky Balboa putting down Ivan Drago created a vortex of supportive feelings across this nation.
This year's Olympic Games brought a second staging of the Russia versus United States battle. Only this time, it was held in the water. U.S. Olympic swimmer Lilly King became a hero when she conquered Russia's Yulia Efimova in the 100-meter breaststroke.
It was a win that shined a brighter light on the doping scandal Russia has undergone. Martin Rogers of USA Today talked about King's crusade against the Olympic doper, Efimova. "King relegated Russia's Yulia Efimova, a confirmed drug cheat who was controversially reinstated into the Olympic program just hours before competition started last week," Rogers mentioned.
Her clutch win was a direct slap in the face to the entire doping community.
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Brandon Crawford Swings His Way into the Record Books
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Who: San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford
When: August 8 vs. Miami Marlins
The San Francisco Giants got a boost against the Miami Marlins when shortstop Brandon Crawford decided to go ballistic at the dish. His seven hits—the most ever registered for one game in Giants history—helped the Giants conquer their National League foe.
Crawford's go-ahead RBI in the 14th inning put his team ahead for good, 8-7. It was quite the performance, and it nestled him into elite company. He now has produced the sixth seven-hit game in MLB history, per Groug of the McCovey Chronicles.
Jeff Sullivan of FanGraphs also dubbed the performance "one of the greatest games in history." If that's not the living and breathing definition of clutch, we don't know what is.
Juan Martin del Potro Returns to Form
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Who: Juan Martin del Potro
When: August 7, Summer Olympics 2016 vs. Novak Djokovic
Olympic tennis is always compelling. Seeing the world's best compete on that hard Rio surface makes for excellent television.
The opening round of play is going to be hard to top considering Juan Martin del Potro stunned everyone by dismantling the No. 1 player in the world, Novak Djokovic.
Leaning on his devastating forehand, Del Potro kept Djokovic's return game at bay. He broke serve and wound up winning 7-6, 7-6.
As hard as it was to see Djokovic go, it was even greater seeing Del Potro will his way to a win in Rio.
Tim Tebow Turns to Baseball
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Who: Tim Tebow
When: August 9
Say it ain't so. Are we really getting another dose of Tim Tebow headlines? The former NFL quarterback, Florida Gators legend and ESPN broadcaster is headed for a career on the diamond, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Schefter's report pulled back the curtain and revealed Tebow would be working out for MLB teams in the near future. It's a crazy turn of events but a headline-grabbing one nonetheless.
Whether he makes a serious run at it or not, Tebow still gets clutch points for making waves smack-dab in a year filled with Donald Trump tweets and crying Michael Jordan memes.
USA Gymnastics Rises to the Occasion Once Again
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Who: U.S. women's gymnastics team
When: August 9, Summer Olympics 2016
History continues to be made in Rio. This time, the U.S. women's gymnastics team was the culprit, winning the gold as a group.
As Bleacher Report's Twitter account made note of, this back-to-back win marks the first time such a feat has occurred in Olympic history. Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles, Laurie Hernandez, Aly Raisman and Madison Kocian represent the very best in the gymnastics world.
They proved on the grandest stage of them all, when they band together, they can accomplish anything.
Michael Phelps Continues to Capture Gold
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Who: Michael Phelps
When: August 9, Summer Olympics 2016
Michael Phelps continues to do what he does best: win gold medals. The longtime Olympian swam his way to victory during the men's 200-meter butterfly and 800-meter freestyle relay in spectacular fashion, resulting in his 21st gold medal.
Matt Norlander of CBS Sports noted how important the 200-meter medal was to Phelps: "It was a vengeful win. This was the one that got away at London in 2012."
I guess the great ones always figure out a way to keep on keeping on. Phelps proved once again, you can never write him off.
Elina Svitolina Knocks out Serena Williams
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Who: Elina Svitolina
When: August 9, Summer Olympics 2016 vs. Serena Williams
In stunning fashion, Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina ousted Serena Williams at the Olympics. Dan Wolken of USA Today hit the nail on the head, writing about how Williams didn't look herself, double-faulting and making careless errors the whole way through.
Combined with Svitolina's impressive play, the deficit was far too great to overcome. Williams was bounced, 6-4, 6-3, sending her out of Rio for good.
It was quite the clutch moment for Svitolina, as she advances to the next round of the tournament.
Trevor Bauer Throws Himself a Gem
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Who: Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer
When: August 9 vs. Washington Nationals
The further this 2016 MLB season moves along, the more we realize Cleveland is for real. These Indians remain atop the American League Central with a 63-47 record, and despite the Detroit Tigers playing well, Cleveland continues to right the ship.
Starting pitcher Trevor Bauer did his best to keep this team afloat, holding the Washington Nationals to zero runs scored in just over six innings of play. The Indians would go on to win the game by a final score of 3-1.
Bauer's four-hit masterpiece was indicative of the Indians' season. Just when you think they're going to fade, they bounce right back.
All stats, box scores and information via Sports-Reference.com, unless noted otherwise.
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