Docs Website

53 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu

Top 6 Forgotten MLB Postseason Clutch Performances

by Jeremy Block - 8/26/2025

Forgotten MLB clutch postseason performances Randy Arozarena

When we think of postseason legends, names like Babe Ruth, Derek Jeter, and Reggie Jackson tend to steal the spotlight. But tucked in the corners of history are forgotten heroes who made a huge impact when the pressure amped up.

 These players weren’t always the standout, typical, flashy household names, but when the stakes were high, they stepped up in ways that deserve more recognition. Here's a look at seven forgotten postseason performances that prove clutch doesn't always make the headlines. 

Doc’s Sports offers MLB expert picks for every game on our baseball predictions page.

David Freese – 2011 World Series Game 6

It’s easy to remember the big names like Albert Pujols, Lance Berkman and Matt Carpenter 2011 World Series, but David Freese? His name still doesn’t get the love it deserves. In Game 6, with the Cardinals on the brink of elimination and trailing by two in the bottom of the ninth, Freese stepped to the plate and crushed a game-tying triple to force extra innings. But that wasn’t enough for him. Fast forward to the 11th inning, Freese blasted a walk-off home run to give the Cardinals the victory. Freese’s performance in that game was the textbook definition of clutch.

And while that Game 6 is etched in history, Freese’s entire postseason performance that year deserves more credit. His bat was an anchor for the Cardinals, hitting .348 with 7 RBIs in the World Series and being named Series MVP. Sure, Berkman may have batted a ridiculous .423, but it was Freese who stepped up when it mattered most. 

Randy Arozarena – 2020 ALCS

You may remember Randy Arozarena as the breakout star of the 2020 postseason, but let's be honest: his performance in the ALCS against the Astros often gets overshadowed by his performance in the World Series. But in a series where every at-bat was crucial, Arozarena couldn’t miss a pitch, even if he tried. He went on to set a rookie record with 10 home runs in the postseason.

The outfielder cranked 3 homers, recorded 8 RBIs, all while holding a .321 batting average. This wasn’t just some “fluke” run either; Arozarena didn’t fold under the Astros’ playoff pressure for one second, and served as the main engine for the Rays. Look, if 2020 had a picture to represent it, it would just be his swing. 

Aaron Boone – 2003 ALCS Game 7

Sure, Aaron Boone will forever be remembered for that walk-off home run in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS, but how often do we talk about the pressure that led up to that moment? Down to the bottom of the 11th, facing elimination against the Red Sox in a series that already felt like a mini World Series, Boone managed to deliver one of the most iconic postseason moments in history.

After Enrique Wilson got swapped out of the rotation, with the Yankees' season on the line and the game tied in extra innings, Boone stepped up to the plate and launched the first knuckleball he saw from Tim Wakefield, sending it into the left-field stands. That moment instantly made him a legend in New York, and while we don't talk about it much now, it was pure clutch under pressure. Like the Pinstripes or not, that walk-off is still one of the most unforgettable moments in baseball history.

Jayson Werth – 2009 NLCS

There’s clutch, and then there’s Jayson Werth in the 2009 NLCS. Yes, Ryan Howard and Jimmy Rollins were the typical names in the spotlight, but Werth’s ability to step up in a critical moment made him the Phillies’ newest hero that postseason. His bat was on fire, and he delivered when it mattered most, especially in Game 5 against the Dodgers.

Werth’s two-run homer in the 7th inning of Game 5 helped the Phillies seal a 4-1 win and clinch the series. While his overall numbers in the series weren’t eye-popping—batted just .222—Werth came through when it counted. His clutch homer and ability to deliver in key moments this series made him one of the most important players for the Phillies, even if he wasn’t getting all the attention.

Chris Burke – 2005 NLDS Game 5

When you think of clutch postseason moments, Chris Burke probably doesn’t come to mind right away. But in the 2005 NLDS Game 4, Burke delivered one of the most dramatic walk-off moments in postseason history. Seriously—it was as if it came right out of a movie. After an 18-inning marathon, Burke stepped in the batter’s box and hit a walk-off home run off Joey Devine, securing a 7-6 win for the Astros and sending them to the NLCS.

Burke may not have had a standout game otherwise, finishing 1-for-5, but that one hit in the 18th inning made him a hero in Houston’s eyes. It’s a forgotten gem in postseason history, but for Astros fans, it’s pure nostalgia.

 Will Clark – 1989 NLCS

Will Clark’s monstrous performance in the 1989 NLCS is one of those “how is this not talked about more?” situations. Playing for the San Francisco Giants, Clark didn’t just show up in Game 1 against the Cubs—he made it his personal batting practice. Clark hit two home runs, six RBIs, and .650 batting average in that series were vital to the Giants’ closing out the series 4-1. 

Clark’s performance may not have gotten the spotlight compared to other postseason performances of the time, but his ability to hit under pressure was undeniable. His ability to drive in runs was one of the key factors in the Giants’ playoff run that year. When the stage was brightest, Clark made sure he provided.

Get MLB picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bet premium picks by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.

 

Most Recent Baseball Handicapping

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers