Honoring Tim Lincecum's remarkable career; Fil/American pitcher designated for assignment

Tim Lincecum, in his prime, was unhittable which led to winning the Cy Young award for two consecutive years.

By Louis Chan
Reprinted from AsAm News
A PHOTO of two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum’s trade mark fist pump and smile hangs on my wall.

The picture actually had been put away in my closet, but when I heard the charismatic, yet quiet ex-San Francisco Giant had been sent bags packing by the California Angels, I decided to put his picture back up.

Too many memories of better days to let Timmy collect dust.

His bid to comeback to prominence apparently is over after going 2-6 with the Angels during which he give up an average of nine runs a game after not being resigned by the Giants.

You had a feeling something wasn’t right with the Filipino/American pitcher when he kept pushing back his audition this off season. He had been working on his game in private away from view of the public, refusing to let even the scouts see until he threw himself an open audition attending by some 20 teams after the season started.

Its been a steady decline that started in 2011. Sure, there were glimpses of the old Timmy including his second no-hitter against the San Diego Padres in 2014. It was moments like that that gave long time fans hope the Timmy magic had not completely disappeared, but it did. In 2014, the last of the Giants three most recent World Series championships, Lincecum was a non-factor appearing as a reliever for just one inning the entire post season.

I prefer to remember the glory days. He quickly became the team’s name plate after coming up from the minors in 2007. After Barry Bonds left the team, it was Timmy who would bring the Giants back to greatness and lead the team to the first of three World Series titles starting in 2010.

Who could forget, let alone hit, his 97 mile per hour fast ball. Who could forget his back to back Cy Young Awards for being baseball’s best pitcher in 2008 and 2009. Who could forget Timmy playing a key role in the 2012 World Series coming in as a reliever at pivotal points during the post season–doing whatever it would take to bring home another championship.

It’s expected Lincecum will clear waiver. He’ll then have to decide if he wants to continue to work on his games in the minors where the Angels have offered him a spot.

Timmy, your glory days may be gone, but you’ll always have a place up on my wall and in my heart.

###

'The Freak' is back, fans cheer Tim Lincecum's comeback

Tim Lincecum fans came out to support their favorite Filipino/American baseball player.

By Louis Chan
Reprinted from AsAm News

TWO-TIME Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum made his debut as a Los Angeles Angel in Oakland not far from where he spent his first nine seasons as a San Francisco Giant.

Fans wearing Giant hats and number 55 jerseys greeted him with cheers as he walked on to the field in the bottom of the first.

Lincecum, whose mother is Filipino/American, pitched six strong innings allowing just four hits and one earned run to defeat the Oakland A’s 7-1.

“Pretty incredible, I wasn’t expecting that,” said Lincecum about the warm reception the fans gave him. “They came out today and showed their support. It’s nice being out here close to where I started and having my Bay Area fans here. Definitely made it few like a home game to me.”

Lincecum was making his comeback from hip surgery and four sub par seasons during which he went 39-42 with a 4.6 ERA. That’s a far cry from his Cy Young years when he routinely mowed down batters and earned the nickname of “The Freak” for his unorthodox delivery and long hair.

Much has been made of Lincecum getting a fresh start away from the critical eye of frustrated fans who adored him those nine seasons as a Giant. On this day, it was the Giant fans who helped to energized him.

“I was pretty lucky to have that kind of following out there today. Inning by inning and throughout the game. So if anything, it helped me. It helped my cause.”

Tim Lincecum wasn't overpowering but he did enough to win; 6 innings, 4 hits.