Ernie Clement is making waves this postseason with the Toronto Blue Jays. As the team heads into Game 7 of the American League Championship Series (ALCS), he’s achieved a remarkable feat. Clement is now only the second player in Major League Baseball (MLB) history to tally at least 17 hits while recording two or fewer strikeouts in the first 10 playoff games of his career.
Historic Achievement in Playoffs
This significant milestone was highlighted by Just Baseball on social media. Only Thurman Munson, the iconic New York Yankees catcher, shares this unique accomplishment with Clement. This statistic underlines Clement’s exceptional abilities at the plate during critical games.
Clement’s Journey to the Blue Jays
Before joining the Blue Jays, Ernie Clement had an interesting career path. He played college baseball at Virginia, where he was part of a national championship team. Subsequently, he was selected in the fourth round of the MLB Draft. However, Clement faced challenges early in his career, being released by both the Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Guardians.
His fortunes changed when he signed with the Blue Jays. This season, Clement has also been nominated for the Gold Glove award for his prowess at the utility position.
Combining Contact and Power
Clement has always been known for his exceptional contact skills. Over the past couple of seasons, he has developed the ability to add more power to his game without sacrificing his contact success. If the Blue Jays continue to achieve playoff success, Clement will undoubtedly be at the center of it.
Looking Ahead
As the Blue Jays prepare for Game 7 against the Mariners, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Clement will perform. His historic playoff performance thus far has raised expectations for his contributions to the team’s success.
