Once again, several players are making a name for themselves as clutch performers in the post-season.

It's uncanny how every year, some players/pitchers that don't normally get loads of ink, step up and become clutch performers. I think it's why those of us who watch, at least parts of each and every post-season game, remain passionate about the playoffs.

That's what made Matt Stairs' clutch pinch-hit home run in NLCS Game 4 so sweet. I totally forgot he was even in the ballpark until he put the cherry on top of the Phillies' comeback.

When I think back about all the playoff years that I've witnessed, going all the way back to my first October baseball memories, the 1971 World Series between the Pirates and Orioles in Roberto Clemente's final seven games of his brilliant career, I think of many different names. My list includes Gene Tenace (1972 A's), Bucky Dent ('78 Yankees), Rick Dempsey ('83 Orioles), Pat Borders ('92 Blue Jays), Scott Brosius ('98 Yankees), and David Eckstein ('06 Cardinals). All these players had long, relatively unspectacular careers but, for one month in the fall, played like they were 'The Man.'

With this in mind, there have been some outstanding performances to date that leads me to believe some new names might be filed away in my playoff memory bank.

Brett Myers, Phillies When I think back on this year's playoffs, Myers' 11-pitch at-bat against CC Sabathia in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Brewers will be right at the top of my highlights. The long at-bat forced Sabathia to 34 pitches in that second inning, leading to a grand slam by Shane Victorino and the beginning of the end for Milwaukee. Then in his second start of the post-season, Myers went 3-for-3 against the Dodgers in Game 2 of the NLCS, driving in three runs and scored two as the Phils swept the first two game on home turf.

Akinori Iwamura, Rays All this Japanese-import has done is get at least one hit in every post-season game through ALCS Game 3 at Fenway. A .355 average on 11 hits (five for extra-bases), four runs and four RBI to go with some steady, but not spectacular, defence at second base for the upstart Rays. While young stars Evan Longoria and B.J. Upton have been slugging their way into the spotlight (nine HR between them), Iwamura has been a key offensive cog, keeping the line moving and helping fuel several Tampa Bay rallies.

Jason Bay, Red Sox I realize that Trail, BC's favourite son is not really a secondary player, certainly not after winning the 2004 NL Rookie of the Year, 149 career home runs and now three more in his first seven playoff games. But he was forced to play his first 722 games on a lifeless last-place team in Pittsburgh and is now two rounds into his first exposure to post-season baseball. What's been impressive is the numbers Bay's put up without any protection around him in a suddenly-ordinary Red Sox line-up, especially with David Ortiz in a 0-for-10 funk after three games of the ALCS.

James Loney, Dodgers In his first full season in the majors, the 24-year-old left-handed hitting first baseman drove in 90 runs over 161 games played, good numbers for sure. In these playoffs, Loney has driven in eight runs, only one fewer than the oft-discussed Manny Ramirez. His post-season has been highlighted by a grand slam in the Dodgers’ opener against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, a ringing two-run double in the NLDS clincher, and big first-inning double in Game 4 of the NLCS against the Phillies, stemming the tide after Philadelphia scored in pair of the top of the inning. Sure looks like a coming out party to me.

The importance of being Manny

Hey, I'm not going to sit here and say that I've ever been a huge fan of Manny Ramirez. I respect his colossal offensive talents, but the way that he carries himself got old with me many years ago. I remember him starting all that nonsense in Game 3 of the 2003 ALCS when Roger Clemens threw him an eye-high fastball over the dish that Manny jack-knifed away from and made a menacing gesture with his bat at 'The Rocket,' culminating with Pedro Martinez spiking Don Zimmer into the Fenway turf, one of the embarrassing chapters in the great Red Sox-Yankees rivalry. And we were reminded of his loco side in Game 3 of the NLCS when both teams decided to throw purpose pitches, and after the benches cleared to mill around, Manny did the usual, "You wanna piece of me?" act while being held back by a couple of teammates/coaches. Good theatre for sure, just a little silly, though, don't you think?

What 'Man-Ram' has shown, beginning with the Red Sox first title since 1918 through a second World Series crown last season, is that he is a great player, regardless of his poor fashion sense.

That's why I don't understand opposition managers not treating him like Barry Bonds and pitch around him, if possible, every time he's up. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel gets it, and should after having worked with young Manny during two and half seasons as the Cleveland manager (2000-02). Manuel is flat out not going to let Ramirez hi-jack is series, not on his watch. That strategy gives the Phillies their best chance to take out the Dodgers, whose confidence is growing by the game.

Too bad it's do-or-die time for the Dodgers. Manny returning to Fenway would be a real sexy story at this time of year. The same can't be said for a Phillies-Rays World Series.