chat

How much was Tim's major league signing bonus?
$1.2 million dollars
$1.5 million dollars
$2 million dollars
$2.4 million dollars
$4.1 million dollars

Mailbag: Chatting with Chris Lincecum

by Richard Van Zandt, BaseballEvolution.com

January 23, 2007

Last summer, Richard Van Zandt watched #1 Giants prospect Tim Lincecum pitch from the most informative and entertaining spot in the stadium - the one in front of Tim's father, Chris. In this email exchange between Chris and Richard, several loose ends are tied up from Richard's previous article: Tim Lincecum - The Future.

Chris Lincecum:

The other day I received an e-mail from the father of a kid I've worked with, on and off, for the last couple years. Along with some questions and thanks from the dad, he also sent me the article you wrote on August 7th called “Tim Lincecum - The Future".

I agreed with the insight you had and the candid, positive way you wrote it. I didn't know there were any media types around me, even though I've been approached by many these last 4 years. I've been told by some that they appreciate mine and Tim's lack of "white-washed" comments that we spew.

I'm contacting you just to let you know I appreciate your words and thoughts on Tim and that if you have any other questions I'll be glad to answer them for you. There have been so many articles and scouting reports on Tim that I don't even come close to seeing all of them. I saw yours and thought I'd respond.

Keep up the good work and I hope I wasn't a pain for you to sit next to. I've been labeled by some of the scouts up here in the Northwest as "the Entertainer" because of my vocal (and most times humorous) remarks during Tim's games.

Anyway, Take care and Happy New Year for you and your loved-ones.

Chris

P.S. Who is Ron Kulpa?

Richard Van Zandt:

Well, first of all let me just say thank you very, very much, not only for reading my piece and your kind and complimentary words about it, but just for taking the time to write to me as well. I can't tell you how thrilled I was to find your e-mail in my in-box.

As for the "media type," well I must confess that I'm really only an amateur and I was actually going to tell you that I intended to write a piece (at least going to the game I thought I might) but as soon as Tim left the game, I turned around and you were gone. But I really appreciated the insight you gave me. I can't picture the piece turning out nearly as well without it. It was quite my good luck to happen to sit next to you (and yes, entertaining too).

Before I get to a few questions that I do have, I want to first pass along a "hello" from one Bill Toon who says he played at Green River JC with you. He read my piece as well and e-mailed me. He had some complimentary things to say about you as a pitcher and asked me to say "hello" if I ever got the chance. Never thought I would but now that I do I would be ashamed of myself if I didn't.

Also, Ron Kulpa. He was the HP umpire at the Giants game the night before and was the one who tossed Bonds in the 9th inning (as docile Felipe Alou sat peacefully watching in the dugout) and thus setting off a frenzy of trash being thrown onto the field.

Now I've got just a few questions if you don't mind. First and foremost, I keep seeing and hearing some people say that Tim should be the Giants closer in the future. I think that would be a ridiculous waste of his talent (and let me tell you that as a lifelong Giants fan I have come to be very wary of heaping accolades on pitching prospects lest they should end up like William Van Landingham - which should emphasize how impressed I am with Tim). In my mind, Tim's future is as a starter. If he doesn't make the rotation in camp, I would expect him to be in the minors as a starter rather than in SF as a reliever. So my first question(s) is this. What is your sense of what the Giants have in store for him? Do they have any intension of him ever pitching out of the pen or am I right in assuming he is viewed by Sabean and crew as a starter only?

Secondly, what kind of look do you think they will give him in camp? At the game I asked you if he might have a shot at the roster in '07 and you said that they hadn't yet ruled out a September call-up (a later question on that). As I see it, Hennessey, Sanchez and Tim will all get a look for the 5th spot. Am I seeing it right? Either way I'd say it's likely he'll make his debut in '07. Do you feel that's likely too?

Also, is it true you threw 88 mph at age 55? I got another e-mail from a Giants/Tim fan who told me that. You're not left handed, are you? Thought about a comeback? lol...

Now that guy seemed to know quite a lot more about Tim then I did to tell the truth. Nevertheless, he had a few questions for me that I thought I might ask you if I've not bothered you enough already.

You know what? I just re-read it and I'm just going to forward it to you. Answer any of his questions for me if you want or none if you don't feel like. I greatly appreciate any insight you might share.

I am most curious about one question of his though in regards to the start on September 15 that Jason Schmidt missed in Colorado. That game - a terrible pounding by the Rockies - led to a disastrous road trip which resulted in the Giants’ elimination from postseason play. Apparently Tim would have pitched on the 14th had SJ not been eliminated from the playoffs. That you know of, did the Giants ever consider Tim for that start?

Well, I won't take any more of your time for now. Again, I appreciate hearing from you. Oh, just one more question. Has Tim read my piece? If so, what were his thoughts? Just curious. I really can't believe that you read it. What a thrill. And thanks for the New Year's wishes.

All the best to you and yours.

I have a pretty good feeling about 2007.

(Read the rest of this article here)