Tim Lincecum: San Francisco Giants’ pitching ace
Every few years, the world of Major League Baseball see’s an athlete within their organisation who would be taking the name of the whole institution forward to newer heights rather than just his own, or his teams. Tim Lincecum is definitely one of those
players. He is the starting pitcher of the San Francisco Giants and was an irreplaceable part of the historical line-up that won the World Series championship last year after over half a century of waiting.
Known informally as The ‘Freak’, Lincecum doesn’t have one of the most pitcher-like frames in the Major League. At 5ft 11in, he is comparatively lankier than other pitchers, but that has yet to hinder his pitching abilities. His unorthodox mechanical throw
and high delivering velocity is what makes him dangerous and even the most celebrated batters in baseball cannot get accustomed to the way he pitches.
Former team-mate, Rich Aurilia when talking about Lincecum said, “In my 13 years in the big leagues, this is the only guy I’ve seen who is worth the hype. The first one.”
Lincecum has barely finished four years in the world of baseball, but the amount of awards he has under his belt is astonishing and a lot more than what other players at his level or even beyond have. He was the 2008 and 2009 National League Cy Young Winner,
the same years he led the National League in strike-outs. Lincecum has three All Star selections and two Sporting News National League Pitcher of the Year Award to his name. If that wasn’t enough, The Franchise won the esteemed Babe Ruth Award and the 2006
Golden Spikes Award as well.
As is apparent, nothing more needs to be done from Lincecum’s side to impress the already bedazzled fans and coaches but he isn’t one to sit on his laurels. Lincecum, it seems is always on a quest to do more and exceed expectations, which he more than often
does.
His career is arguably of one of the best starting pitchers in the history of baseball. He has already thrown a post-season complete shut-out but there have been times when he has faltered like every other player. In the August of 2010 Tim went 0-5 with
a 7.82 ERA. This was the best opportunity for his critics to put forward their theories that Lincecum has no more to offer after his explosive beginning. Instead of succumbing to the criticism Lincecum went to the Giants pitching Coach Dave Righetti for guidance
and their time together resulted in a Slider, that has succeeded in making him pitch better now than at any other time in his gifted career.
Righetti commented, “Everybody's talking like this is some strange delivery. He's just a wiry kid out there using his body to throw the baseball, which is easier on the arm. To me, that's the way you're supposed to throw.”
Like all other athletes, there are times when Lincecum’s control falters but he is quick to bounce back and dominate with more vengeance than before. Hopefully Lincecum will be able to repeat his performance against the Oakland Athletics where he retired
21 of their batters without seeming unfazed. If Lincecum, continues to pitch like he has been this season then he is on his way to a record breaking third Cy Young Award in his first five seasons. With him by their side, the Giants are surely on the right
track to become the World Series Champions once again, becoming the first in National League history to do so.
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