"in the clutch (baseball)--query

[Benjamin Zimmer]

On Sun, 22 May 2005 21:01:21 -0400, Douglas G. Wilson <douglas at NB.NET> wrote:

>>Through the mid-'30s one can find both "in the clutch" and "in the
>>clutches" varying freely in baseball reporting.
>
>I don't think these citations necessarily support free variation between
>singular and plural: are there examples of "he got his single hit in the
>clutches" or equivalent? If not, "clutch" may mean "tight moment" and
>"clutches" may mean "tight moments" as expected ... which is a little
>different from such cases as "a moment in the clutch of Fate" = "a moment
>in the clutches of Fate".

Here are some later cites for "in the clutches" (they're actually easier
to find c. '34-'35 than "in the clutch"):

-----
Los Angeles Times, Sep 30, 1934, p. VI1/2
Young Paul Dean did the trick today, pitching expertly in the "clutches"
to subdue the Cincinnati batsman although he gave them eleven hits.
-----
Helena Independent (Mont.), Oct. 06, 1934, p. 7/3
Greenberg, Gehringer, Cochrane, Rogell and Fox ... were handcuffed by
Dean's effective work in the "clutches."
-----
Los Angeles Times, Mar 4, 1935, p. 13/4
Throughout Gehrig's career he has followed Ruth in the Yankee line-up and
furnished the clean-up wallop, but this season, the Babe points out,
American leaguers may adopt, with more safety, a policy of passing Lou in
the "clutches."
-----
Bismarck Tribune (N.D.), Apr 29, 1935, p. 6/1
Detroit collected 12 blows, including Hank Greenberg's homer, while
Sullivan no only hurled effectively in the clutches but drove in two runs.
-----
Los Angeles Times, Jul 21, 1935, p. 20/8
The Cubs, coupling a ten-hit attack off Roy Parmelee with effective
pitching in the clutches by Larry French, won their second victory of the
series, 7 to 2.
-----
Syracuse Herald Journal, July 29, 1935, p. 14/5
While Charley Root pitched effectively in the clutches for his sixth
straight triumph, the Cubs pounded Gene Schott out in one inning and
rolled up nine runs in the first three.
-----
Washington Post, Sep 6, 1935, p. 14/4
Hollingsworth gave a fine exhibition of pitching in the "clutches,"
although he was touched for ten blows.
-----


--Ben Zimmer