MLB Baseball: Tim Lincecum
Tim Lincecum isn’t just from the Northwest…
He personifies it. Seattle is the city that is both insecure and bold. After all this is where bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Sound Garden were spawned. Lincecum has the appearance of a rock and roller and the persona of a gamer.
Born: June 15, 1984 in Bellevue, Washington.
There was no doubt that baseball would be a part of this family as his dad, Chris reportedly played in the minor leagues.
He was born in Bellevue and was tagged with the moniker Timothy Leroy Lincecum which is a big name for a guy of small stature, by pro-athlete standards anyway.
Northwest Athlete Profile: Tim Lincecum
However even in high school proved he could throw a baseball.
Analyzing his pitching mechanics is like watching a human sling shot, as he whips the ball more than he throws it.
This has earned him the nickname, “The Freak”.
He is a natural athlete although his athletic achievements are not the typical things that typecast athletes. Things such as doing vertical pushups and throwing a baseball over the outfield wall from home plate.
But he did chose to pursue baseball as a career, although somewhat non-committedly. After earning the Washington State Player of the year award, he went on pitch for the Huskies where he posted an insane 1.94ERA and the Golden Spikes Award in 2006.
He was drafted in both the 2003 and 2005 draft but turned down the Cubs and the Braves respectfully.
In 2006 He finally signed with the Giants after being slected 10th Overall as opposed to being drafted in the 48th round in 2003. And so the punk rock inspired Seattle Native got his first job – playing for the Giants Organization.
The rest is history really as Lincecum has become the most marketable guys in Major League Baseball. He is a four time all-star and a two time National League Cy Young Award Winner, and did you know…
He is the first pitcher in MLB history to be awarded the Cy Young in each of his first two full seasons.
Even some snafus with possession of marijuana and law suits from his landlords for trashing his place in San Francisco have not seemed to damage his reputation and respectability within the league.
Lincecum is a guy that rides his own strengths rather than exploiting someone else’s perceptions.
It is that honesty that keeps him marketable, and shows his roots.
He isn’t playing the role of a superstar – he simply is just that guy Tim from Seattle.
Check out his career highlights thus far…
- 4× All-Star (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
- World Series Champion (2010)
- 2× NL Cy Young Award (2008, 2009)
- Babe Ruth Award (2010)
- MLB strikeout leader (2008)
- 3× NL strikeout leader (2008, 2009, 2010)
- Golden Spikes Award (2006)
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