Tim Lincecum - Biography Part Two
Reprinted with Permission from Jockbio.com
Tim joined the Giants a short time later and breezed through his first two stops in the minors. In four innings for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes in the Low-A Northern League, he whiffed 10 and gave up just one hit. That was all the Giants needed to see, as they moved him to Class-A San Jose. There, Tim went 3-0 with 58 strikeouts in 34 innings, including a great performance in the playoffs.
For the 2007 season, the Giants promoted Tim to the Fresno Grizzlies of the Pacific Coast League. He made Triple-A batters look silly. Tim surrendered a single run in 31 innings and didn’t allow a hit with runners in scoring position. After five brilliant starts, he got the call from the big club. Veteran starter Russ Ortiz was hurt, and the Giants felt Tim had nothing left to prove in the minors.
MAKING HIS MARK
Tim made his debut against the Philadelphia Phillies and struck out the side in his first inning of work. The Phils later tagged him for five runs, but it was clear he had electric stuff, even by big-league standards. Tim earned his first victory in early May when he shut down the Rockies in Colorado.
Over the next six weeks, Tim took his lumps. By late June, however, he began to feel comfortable. July was his best month, as he strung together a four-game winning streak. He finished at 7-5 with a 4.00 ERA, and topped all NL rookie hurlers with 150 Ks.
Tim’s first season was a great ride, save a personal tragedy. His maternal grandfather, Grandpa Asis, passed away, news that saddened Tim greatly. He spent time on the bereavement list and then returned to action. Tim was in uniform when Barry Bonds hit #756 to pass Henry Aaron and become baseball’s all-time home run king.
During the winter, the Giants looked long and hard at their roster, eager to find the right mix of players to contend in the NL West. With Bonds ushered out of town, the team needed a power hitter. San Francisco considered swapping Tim for Alex Rios of the Toronto Blue Jays, but thought better of it. Instead, they kept him as the centerpiece of a talented young rotation that included Matt Cain and Jonathan Sanchez. The Giants would likely struggle to score runs, but their pitching—even with the disappointing Barry Zito—appeared solid.
Tim opened the year on a roll, winning four of his first five decisions. By the end of May, he was 7-1 and averaging more than a strikeout per inning. Hitters were helpless against him. Teammates marveled at his velocity and command. Fans loved his story, especially the faithful in San Francisco. Tim revitalized the moribund franchise. Tickets sales jumped for his starts, and the media couldn’t get enough of him.
Many thought Tim would start the All-Star Game, but he pitched the weekend before and was unable to go. As it turned out, Tim didn't even make it to the National League dugout for the Mid-Summer Classic. He was felled by "flu-like" symptoms and dehydration, and spent a night in the hospital.
As Tim’s career unfolds, comparisons to the likes of Sandy Koufax and Ron Guidry are inevitable. Like them, he’s a little guy with a big arm. But neither Koufax nor Guidry enjoyed the kind of success Tim has enjoyed at such a young age. In today’s world of overgrown stars with over-inflated egos, Tim is proving that bigger isn’t always better.
TIM THE PITCHER
Tim is tough on hitters for a number of reasons. Of course, there's his unorthodox delivery. He hides the ball well, and many big-league hitters are unaccustomed to his long arm motion. But Tim’s unique wind-up overshadows an obvious fact—he had terrific stuff. His fastball is overpowering, and his curve is a classic vertical breaker. Tim also hadsa good slider and changeup. He relies most often on his heater, which makes his off-speed offerings all the more potent.
Because of his whirldwind delivery, Tim must be spot on with his mechanics. One key for him is keeping his left shoulder aimed at his target for as long as possible. He also takes an unusally long stride, which means the landing point for his left foot is crucial as well.
Tim also embraces a different approach to pitching away from the field. For example, he never ices his arm. Before his starts, Tim is talkative and fun—no different than his personality the day after a gem. This makes him a great teammate and a good leader.
For more fun facts by Tim go to JockBio.com
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AP
Getty Images
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AP
"His dad obviously did a very good job...I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."
Dave Righetti
Giants Pitching Coach
Tim Lincecum Biography
PHOTO ALBUM
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In his major league debut against the Phillies on May 6, 2007 Tim struck out the side in his first inning of work.
