Former San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum took the entire MLB by storm.
In his time in the MLB, he put together one of the fastest ascents to stardom and dominance the league has ever seen.
However, that was accompanied by a rapid drop-off that few others have ever experienced.
This was to the dismay of many fans who had grown to love the high-intensity, unorthodox style of pitching the Lincecum brought to the table.
Tim Lincecum finishes a complete game with 15 strikeouts. 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/XVUNvgo8Mf
— ᗰOᑌᑎᗪᗰᗩGIᑕ™ (@MoundMagic) April 1, 2020
What ever happened to him, and why did he have such a quick downfall in the league?
Here is an in-depth look at “The Freak” and his career story.
The Highs of Early Success
Lincecum was drafted by the Giants in the first round of the 2006 MLB draft out of the University of Washington.
He quickly made it to the Majors, taking just a single year in the minor leagues before being welcomed to the show.
While this may shock many players, Lincecum proved to be able to handle the expectations.
He went into his time with the Giants with some of the highest expectations any player of the franchise has gotten, especially since Barry Bonds.
Lincecum responded.
In his rookie season, he started 24 games and posted a solid 4.00 ERA.
However, he took a major step forward the next season as he established himself as one of MLB’s best.
He went 18-5 in 2008, posting a standout 2.62 ERA with a league-leading 265 strikeouts.
Tim Lincecum, 97mph Fastball and 84mph Changeup (home plate view). pic.twitter.com/WNI1VLcnMP
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) January 21, 2020
With these numbers, he handedly won the NL Cy Young award.
He followed this up with an arguably better year in 2009, as he went 15-7 with an even lower 2.48 ERA.
Once again, he led the MLB in strikeouts with 261 on his way to yet another Cy Young award.
At the time, he was just the eighth player in the history of baseball to win back-to-back Cy Young awards.
This was especially unbelievable as it was just his second and third years in the MLB.
Though his numbers dipped in 2010, he was a critical part of the team’s World Series run.
However, he came back and was great again in 2011 as he posted a 2.74 ERA with 220 strikeouts.
After this season, Lincecum was never the same as his career was thrown off-course.
What Happened To Lincecum?
From the 2011 to 2012 seasons, Lincecum’s average fastball velocity dropped two miles per hour, a trend that continued over the next four seasons.
While he had been someone who could throw in the mid-90s early in his career, he was beginning to drop below 90.
On top of this, his control was disappearing.
After the 2011 season, he averaged four walks per nine innings.
This combination of lack of control and velocity set up a recipe for disaster for a once dominant arm.
Because of his dip in talent, he had a 5.18 ERA in 2012.
He followed this up with a 4.37 ERA in 2013, a 4.74 in 2014 and 4.13 in 2015.
Over this stretch, he did throw two no-hitters however, showing glimpses at the talent that made him so good.
Big Time Timmy Jim!
6 years ago today, Tim Lincecum tossed his second career no-hitter.
(MLB x @budweiserusa) pic.twitter.com/QYYeU6Vty6
— MLB (@MLB) June 25, 2020
After the 2015 season, he left the Giants and signed a contract with the Los Angeles Angels in hopes to jumpstart his career.
This backfired, however, as he went 2-6 with a 9.16 ERA.
His career ended with these struggles as he was simply unable to re-establish himself as a successful MLB pitcher.
In total, he went 110-89 with a 3.74 career ERA that was a bit of a misrepresentation of his career.
He was one of the most dominant arms over a few years period in MLB history.
“He started a new era in Giants baseball and forever will mean a lot to the organization,” Evans told the San Francisco Chronicle’s John Shea.
It was a sad downfall for a very unique and likable arm that exploded onto the scene.
Lincecum stays out of the public eye for the most part, but he does show up every now and then.
What's happening? Tim Lincecum is happening. pic.twitter.com/2OqQrLFH2E
— Dani Wexelman (@DaniWex) August 11, 2019
He also was spotted at the Perfect Game All-American Classic dinner in San Diego in 2019.
NEXT: 3 Giants Players Who Should Be In The Hall Of FameScreenshot from the Perfect Game All-American Classic Facebook page pic.twitter.com/d5gYhT48TQ
— SNOTROCKET 40 (@Snotrocket40) August 11, 2019
THANKS TIM. I STILL HAVE YOUR SHIRT…..
me too.. have your shirt
Tim was a force to be recond with! I still have my TL shirt as well! It’s seen It’s better day’s but every time I go to the games today, I get a lot of reactions. It’s definitely a conversation starter! Go Giant’s!
Miss you Timmy. You were the best . I still have your shirt and you are still in our hearts. Hope you are well.
What’s happening to Tim? Tim is enjoying his retirement!
Tim was always a reasonable spender and wise investor soout of the $102 millions he made, he probably have at least $50 millions left after taxes/agent commission and spending- more than enough to live a jetsetter life for the next 200 years if he only just invest in the index fund.
I got to see him pitch a re-hab game in Reno on a Wednesday day game! It was a pleasure to see the great one pitch! I was lucky that day! Thank you!
Tim is the worlds greatest pitcher in pitching , just like Jimi Hendrix in guitar . I Think You Both Are The Worlds Greatest Ones
Tim Do You Like Jimi Hendrix And Do You Like 1960’s Acid Rock And Punk Rock Like The Ramones
I thought he had hip surgery which contributed to his retirement? He was and still is my favorite!
His bad hip is what caused his decline is speed and control. You could see his pitching stride got small and small as his hip hurt him more. Tim needed the long stride and hip rotation to keep his speed because of his small frame. On his comeback you could see his added upper body muscle increase because he thought he could makeup for the lack of stride and hip rotation with arm strength but it didn’t work. The surgery helped with his pain but not his stride length.
Timmy is still the greatest in my regard. He was quite unlucky that he didn’t sign up for a long term contract like Matt Cain who ended up his career with the Giants despite being in the injured list for most of his last years with the Giants. Similarly, Barry Zito hardly showed any prowess in his years with the Giants. Timmy could have been a Giant thru the end but he was never a greedy player that is why I very much admire him and will almost regard him as not only one of the greatest pitchers but a great person. God bless you Timmy. Thank you for all the great and fun games!!!
Correction: always regard him as not only one of the greatest pitchers but a great person.
Dude will never have to buy a drink in SF for as long as he lives. A true legend who turned the Giants franchise around and had two of the most dominant years in recent memory. Don’t be a stranger Tim. The Bay love you!
Tim was the best ever, exciting, entertaining, strong, confident and always a team player!
yes Tim was the greatest. I called him my baby pitcher ( with Love) because he was so young and adorable. I was lucky to be at the Padres game when the threw his first no hitter. It was fantastic
His bread and butter was always his fastball and change up combination. With the loss of velocity, hitters could see his fastball better and were holding back better. Later in his career he started incorporating other pitches more like breaking balls but he just never had consistent control over his pitches. I saw several of his starts in person and the last one was typical. Timmy would get behind in the counts and end up surrendering hits when he had to get one over the plate.
More importantly has Steve Carlton retired ?
Your still my favorite Giants player. I wear your shirt to each game. Hope you are doing great!
For one birthday, my gift ticked were tickets to see the Giants play the Phillies.
Tim was the scheduled starter.
As luck would have it Tim was scratched on game day due to illness, think it was the flu.
Then when warmups began see Tim heading to the bullpen.
He pitched a complete game shutout. One of my fondest memories.