올해의 클러치 히터로 선정된 이띠어

The Dodgers announced yesterday that Andre Ethier won the "2009 MLB Clutch Performer of the Year Award Presented by Pepsi," an honor voted on by fans.  From the Dodger press release:
펩시가 선정한 '올해의 클러치 히터'를 이띠어가 수상하게 되었습니다. 이 수상은 팬들의 투표로 이뤄졌기때문에 다저스팬이 얼마나 참여했는지는 모르겠으나, 전국적으로 이띠어를 알리는데 큰 역할을 했다고 할 수 있을 겁니다.

Ethier led the Majors with six walk-off hits, including a Major League record four walk-off home runs (tied with Jimmie Foxx in 1940 and Roy Sievers in 1957): June 6th against the Phillies in the 12th inning; June 29th against Colorado in the 13th inning; August 6th vs. Atlanta in the 9th; and September 15th against the Pirates in the 13th.  Ethier has a Major League-leading nine walk-off hits since the beginning of the 2008 season, and his six in 2009 are the most in a single-season by any player since at least 1974.
이띠어는 올해 6개의 walk-off 안타 중 4개가 홈런으로 이어졌는데, 이 기록은 1940년 지미 폭스(Jimmie Foxx)와 로이 시에버(Roy Sievers)와 같은 수치라고 하네요.
그리고 08시즌부터 총 9개의 walk-off 안타를 기록했고, 올해만 6개를 기록하면서 1974년 이후 가장 많은 walk-off안타를 기록한 선수로 등극하게 되었습니다.

The left-handed slugger collected six multi-home run games on the year, tied for second with Philadelphia ’s Ryan Howard behind Albert Pujols (10) of the Cardinals.  The Arizona State product became just the fourth Dodger in franchise history to amass at least 40 doubles and 30 home runs in the same season, joining Babe Herman (1930), Raul Mondesi (1997) and Eric Karros (1999).  On June 26th against Seattle , Andre drove in a career-high six runs and compiled his first career three-homer game, becoming the ninth Dodger in franchise history to accomplish the feat.
올해 31개의 홈런을 기록했는데, 6경기에서 멀티홈런을 기록하며 푸올스의 10개의 뒤를 이었습니다. 그리고 40개의 2루타와 30개이상의 홈런은 다저스 프렌차일즈 역사상 9번째 선수라는군요.

Here is a recap of Ethier's six walk-off hits in 2009:

• May 2:  On Dodger Thoughts night at the ballpark, not only did I get a copy of Jon Weisman's book, but also got treated to a walk-off win.  Tied at one in the 10th inning, the Dodgers loaded the bases with nobody out, when Ethier launched a single off the wall to bring home the 2-1 win over the Padres.  This was the ninth straight home win to open the season, a streak that would extend to a record 13 straight before the Manny Ramirez suspension ended the fun four days later.
  Ethier Walk-Off: "Single," one RBI
• June 5:  Down 3-2 to the Phillies, closer Brad Lidge got the first two outs easily, but then ran into some trouble.  He got two strikes on each of Casey Blake and James Loney, but they managed to reach base via hit and walk, respectively.  Russell Martin then grounded to Pedro Feliz, but the third baseman gave the Dodgers new life by booting the ball.  Ethier came up and doubled into the corner, giving the Dodgers a thrilling 4-3 win.
  Ethier Walk-Off:  Double, two RBI.
• June 6:  The very next day, Brad Lidge blew another save, but this time to Rafael Furcal, who hit a game-tying pinch hit home run in the ninth inning.  The game remained tied at two until the 12th inning, when Ethier slammed a two-out rocket to dead center off Chad Durbin for his second straight walk-off.
  Ethier Walk-Off:  Home Run, one RBI.
• June 29:  After a typically solid Randy Wolf start (two runs in six innings), the Dodgers threw a picket fence of relievers at the Rockies.  Seven different relievers each pitched one inning, allowing just three baserunners while striking out 13, to keep the game tied into the bottom of the 13th.  Blake led off the inning with a single, and Ethier ended it with a shot into the all-you-can-eat pavilion in right field, for a 4-2 Dodger victory, one of 14 against the Rockies in 2009.
  Ethier Walk-Off:  Home Run, two RBI.
• August 6:  Down 4-2 entering the bottom of the ninth, the Dodgers had to face Braves closer Rafael Soriano, who came into the game with a 1.80 ERA, and opposing batters were hitting just .157/.234/.221 against him.  A pair of singles by Juan Pierre and Furcal gave Ethier yet another opportunity to come through.  After taking two balls, Ethier hit a drive to right field that just cleared the wall, sneding Dodger fans into a frenzy yet again. As I wrote in the game recap:  "After Ethier hit the home run, Vin Scully didn't speak for 45 seconds, letting the game speak for itself.  Sometimes, less is more."
  Ethier Walk-Off:  Home Run, three RBI.
• September 15:  Matt Kemp's game-tying RBI single allowed the Dodgers to send the game with the Pirates into extra innings.  After three scoreless innings of extra-inning relief by James McDonald (you know, the guy whose 2.72 ERA and 3.41 FIP as a reliever are woefully underappreciated), Ronald Belisario gave up the go-ahead run in the top of the 13th inning, only his second run given up in 18 appearances since returning from the disabled list.  Never fear, "Endre" is here.  With one out and Furcal on first base, lefty Phil Dumatrait was summoned from the bullpen to face Ethier, who struggled against lefties all season.  However, Ethier at Dodger Stadium was a different story, hitting .305/.376/.610 against southpaws wearing the home whites.  He came through yet again, launching a towering fly ball that reached the seats in right, his fourth walk-off dinger of the season.
  Ethier Walk-Off:  Home Run, two RBI.

위에 기록은 올해 이띠어가 walk-off를 기록한 일지인데, 아직도 기억에 나네요. 다저스의 09시즌도 끝이났으니 이런거 보면서 재미를 이어갈 수밖에 없나 봅니다-_-;;

There were six "MLB Pepsi Clutch Performer of the Month" awards given out this season, but Ethier did not win any of them.  He was a candidate in June, but lost the fan vote to Tim Lincecum of the Giants.

It was an amazing season for the 27-year old Ethier.  He came to the plate in the ninth inning or later representing either the tying or go-ahead run 42 times this season.  All he did was slam five doubles and four home runs, and hit a whopping .448/.619/1.034 in those situations.  Congratulations, Endre.  This was a well-deserved award.
이띠어의 walk-off를 더욱 값지게 하는 것이 9회이후에 그의 타점이 많다는 것입니다. 그리고 성적도 좋은 편이죠. 경기 후반과 연장에서는 이런 한 방이 있는 선수에 의해 승패가 갈리는데, 그런 면에서 다저스는 좋은 선수를 키워(이유야 어쨎든 다저스에서 데뷔했죠)냈습니다.

이띠어는 06시즌에 신인왕 투표에서 케인과 함께 공동 5위에 올랐는데, 올해 MVP 투표에서는 3위표 하나 정도는 받을 수 있을거 같네요.

참고로 06시즌에 공동 7위에 사이토, 공동 9위에 마틴이 노미네이트되었습니다. 12명의 신인왕 투표자 가운데, 플로리다가 6명, 다저스가 3명이 후보에 올랐더군요. 결과는 다 들 아시는대로 헨리가 근소하게 앞서면서 신인왕을 먹었죠. 짐머맨이 때를 잘못 만났네요.