Tim Lincecum Is “Having Fun Again”
Tuesday night was the beginning of a three-game series against the long-time rival, dating back to New York, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tim Lincecum and company kicked it off for the San Francisco Giants earning a 6-2 win. The two-time Cy Young award put up six strong innings, and allowing only one earned run.
To start the year, Lincecum appeared to go back to his roots, in Rick “The Wild Thing” Vaughn fashion (Major League reference). The long locks of hair returned from its dormancy, and it looked like 2008-2010 all over again. Then the locks came off, and a more polished and hipster look developed before Tuesday’s start. But what may be most important, is reconnecting with his father, Chris. This was the ultimate make over in the offseason, for the Renton, Washington-native, not a haircut.
The last couple of years, Lincecum admitted that a relationship between he and his father hit a snag, and the two were rarely talking. When he endured struggles during the season, pitching coach Dave Righetti would handle them, as opposed to Chris.
Many miles away from AT&T Park, the man who knows his son best could turn out to be the one who springs revival into the Giants pitcher.
A pivotal resurgence in their relationship led to the two working together in the offseason, focusing on technique and regaining form. And it appears to have paid dividends to start out the 2015 season.
In Lincecum’s first three starts, he is sporting a 1-1 record, 2.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts. Throwing fifth in the rotation, he has proven to be one of the consistent starters in 2015, along with Matt Cain’s injury replacement, Chris Heston.
Whether it is the last year of a contract, or kudos to Linecum’s father, all signs are pointing up, and it has gotten Giant’s broadcaster Mike Krukow talking. After an interview with Comcast Sports Net Bay Area, Krukow had some encouraging words to say.
"“He’s got his command back with his weapons, it’s just a different guy. He’s throwing with confidence. He was done after six innings — they pinch-hit for him — but he could have gone more. And I think you’re going to see him go deep into games now consistently because he has command. And for Lincecum, it looks to me like he’s having fun again.”"
There it is. He is enjoying baseball again.
While Lincecum has accumulated two Cy Young awards and three World Series titles, 2011-2014 was not the type of play you’d expect out of the “The Freak”. Storming the scene in 2007, quickly Lincecum emerged as being one of the game’s bright spots and success came fast to him. How could a small frame carry such a mean punch? That is how the nickname “The Freak” came to be.
Essentially falling off the map, inconsistent numbers and mediocrity started angering Giants’ fans and forcing the question — is it time to move on?
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The Giants’ front office and coaches continued their support for Lincecum over the years of struggle, and paid him a significant sum of money to stay in the Bay Area. His performance never linked up to the pay out, and left many scratching their heads.
On the outside, Linecum looked quiet and reserved. But internally, it was evident Lincecum was not himself and answers were not coming quickly.
Lincecum has always been about the team, even when Manager Bruce Bochy had to pull the fan favorite from the rotation and was placed in the bullpen.
The Giants organization and their fans have never gave up on “The Freak”. But in 2015, the long awaited return of a consistent Lincecum may have arrived.
Apr 21, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) throws to the los Angeles Dodgers in the second inning of their MLB baseball game at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
As Krukow stated, the “weapons” are back, meaning having control of what pitches are thrown. The fastball was the main issue for the last couple years as velocity dipped and secondary pitches became the norm. Hitters sat back patiently, and Lincecum became more predictable. That is not the case in 2015, as the fastball is more lively, hitting the corners and the target, but the velocity may never be back.
In Spring Training, first baseman Brandon Belt made comments, and said “The Freak’s” fastball is deceptive and can’t be slept on.
Lincecum’s repertoire now consists of four pitches once again, and the confidence is surely coming back. To come out against the Dodgers to start the series in one of baseball’s biggest rivalries, the focus was there for Lincecum. Clearly a new pitcher was out there, but it was still the same number 55. The focus looked of the same man who dominated from 2008-2010, and helped the Giants’ win their first title in San Francisco.
With the consistency of using the two-seam fastball, curveball, change-up, and slider, “Big Time Timmy Jim” is back in business.
We may never see 200-plus strike outs, an ERA under 3.00, and almost 20 wins a season anymore, but what 2015 has glimpsed so far is that there may be consistency between starts, something we did not see from 2012-2014.
It is nice to see Lincecum bouncing around and smiling again, in rekindled happiness.
Krukow is a former major league pitcher, and Giants’ player as well. Although, when someone can sense a revival and happiness in a player, they certainly know what they are talking about. It was a really good game for the Giants and Krukow may have been forced to keep the cheers and positiveness high, but the interview was no fluke.
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From the heart, he delivered a great analysis of the pitcher we may see out of Lincecum from now on, and into the future.
It has been a patient three years for Giants’ fans and who knows if this hot start will continue. An 8-11 record and a recent sweep of the Dodgers is much to be excited for. And may possibly be a turning point to the Giants season — after a tumultuous start.
But what is important to note, Disneyland is no longer the happiest place on earth as of 2015 — AT&T Park is.