Papelbon.

I wonder who ManRam would send down in flames. I’d save Papi, chiefly because it would give the rest of the NFL a realistic chance to make it to the SuperBowl next season.

But without a doubt it’s Tom Brady.

Ortiz’s big hits are just as good in many ways, but baseball is largely an opportunity sport when it comes to “clutchness.” You have 1/9th of a chance of being up in that big spot. Ortiz gets points for capitalizing when it counts, but who’s to say Millar, Lugo, or some other joe wouldn’t have had the hit. (Of course, I’d rather have Ortiz up, but you see my point?)

With the Pats, there’s no other quarterback who could do what he’s done. Once. Fluke, perhaps. Twice. Still maybe a flue. Three times? Maybe he’s just good. Not to mention the numerous other times he’s played great in the regular season with offensive weapons that no one even remembers. Sure, QB is largely based on the coach, and Belichick knows offense much better than people think (c.f. The Education of a Coach). And in baseball it’s batter vs. pitcher–no externalities. However, Brady on another team: He would do the same. Put him on the Colts and he puts up Manningesque stats. Put him on the Redskins and he runs the play action to perfection. Put him on the Eagles and he can dink and dunk the West Coast game with the best of them.

@Dan-tastic: excellent “Airheads” reference.