Tim Lincecum: Face of the Giants is now an Angel

Tim Lincecum in an Angels uniform will take some getting used to.

IT JUST doesn't look right. Pitcher Tim Lincecum in a baseball uniform other than the orange-and-black of the San Francisco Giants.

Much to the disappointment of his many fans in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Filipino-American hurler has agreed to a deal to play for the Anaheim Angels.

He apparently has recovered from his hip surgery. The weak hip has hampered his effectiveness on the mound the last four years. 

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While there's no certainty that Lincecum can come close to being the player he once was when he won two consecutive Cy Young Awards, Eppler wanted to take the chance.

"With guys that have shown the ability to be that star-level talent, when you have an opportunity to bring that in and there's something to reclaim there," said Angels general manager Billy Eppler. "Is he going to be the version of himself from six or seven years ago? I don't know."

Lincecum on Friday (May 20) signed a one-year free-agent $2.5 million deal with the Angels laden with incentives including  $1,175,000 in performance bonuses and $500,000 in roster bonuses, according to the Associated Press. He would receive $25,000 for making 11 starts, $50,000 for 13, $100,000 for 15, $200,000 for 17 and $400,000 each for 19 and 21 starts.

In addition, he would receive $125,000 each for four, 30, 60 and 90 days on the active roster, excluding disabled list days spent due to a right hip injury.

The 31-yeard old right-hander had spent his entire career in San Francisco, going 108-83 with a 3.61 ERA. He made history in 2009, becoming just one of four pitchers to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards. He was also a part of three World Series-winning teams with the Giants (2010, 2012, 2014), going 5-2 with a 2.40 ERA in the postseason.

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The Giants made an offer to their long-time pitcher but they offered a role in the bullpen. The Angels will let him compete for a starter's slot and that was what apparently clinched the deal.

He was a fan favorite and because of his small stature, he was nicknamed "The Freak" and with his long hair, slight frame and laid back manager, he lived up to the monicker. One other thing he did: Because of his presence, the Giants discovered the Filipino/American market known in the Bay Area.  They were the first sports franchise to hold Filipino Heritage Night's a couple of times a year. They were usually timed whenever it was Timmy's turn to start.

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NOTE TO ASIAN ANGEL FANS: Timmy's a good guy and acknowledges his hapa heritage. Maybe he'll bring in a lot of Asian fans from Carson, Torrance and the San Gabriel Valley. If he doesn't work out, the Giants will take him back. 

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For more news about Asian/Americans and Pacific Islanders, read AsAm News.