SAN FRANCISCO –  Tim Lincecum is not the first Filipino American pitcher for the San Francisco Giants.  Neither is he the first FilAm to play in major league baseball. 

But Lincecum, 25, has made history:  He is the first major league player to receive baseball’s highest honor, the Cy Young Award, twice in a row in his first two years as a professional.  Double that feat for FilAm annals.

Called one of  the “most dazzling and charismatic players” of America’s favorite pastime, Lincecum leads baseball in strikeouts. He is the youngest National League (NL) hurler to win back-to-back Cy Youngs, taking his place alongside legends Sandy Koufax, Greg Maddux, and teammate Randy Johnson, whom he considers a mentor.  

“It’s a tremendous honor for me because these are big feats any pitcher who comes up in the big leagues want to do,” the star said at a news conference Nov. 19 here.  “It’s the cherry on top.  Just what I’ve done in the time I’ve done it means the world…Big thanks to my teammates, the Giants organization as a whole, my dad…and Rags (pitching coach Dave Righetti) for dealing with me day in and day out.”

Named for Hall of Famer Denton True “Cyclone” Young, the Cy Young Award is determined by votes from two baseball writers from each of the cities played by the National League.  The writers name their top three choices, five points going to the top choice, three for the second, and one for the third.  Lincecum garnered the most points from the 32 writers, narrowly edging out St. Louis Cardinals Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. 

Lincecum is the recipient of the 53^rd and 54^th Cy Young, which was first introduced in 1956 to honor the best pitcher for both National and American League and could be won only once by a player from 1956 to 1958.  The rule was abolished in 1959.  In 1967, the Award went to the both top AL and NL pitchers in 1967.  Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals is the AL 2009 Cy Young awardee.  

DOMINANT     

Alternately nicknamed “The Franchise” and “The Freak,” the Giants starter was born Timothy Leroy Asis Lincecum on June 15, 1984 in Bellevue, Washington.  His mother, Rebecca Asis, is Filipina.

Lean and mop-topped Lincecum is a commanding presence on the field despite standing a mere 5’11” and weighing around 170 pounds.  The lefty dominates with his long and unorthodox hurl hitting velocities in the mid-nineties, stunning batters with his fastball and curveball.  

Asked what he would say to kids dreaming of playing professional baseball but are not “6 feet and 200 pounds,” Lincecum pointed to his own background, saying aspirants would have to “adapt” and deal with “different experiences that shape them.”

Unlike basketball, where height often defines might, baseball gives athletes of slighter build better opportunity to compete.  Among former and current major league players who identify being of Filipino descent are Chris Aguila of the Florida Marlins, Benny Agbayani of the New York Mets, Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals, Bobby Balcena of the Cincinnati Reds, Jason Bartlett of the Tampa Bay Rays, Bobby Chouinard of the Baltimore Orioles, and Brandon Villafuerte of the San Diego Padres.

The Giants have had three known Filipino American pitchers:  Geno Espinelli, Jerome Williams and Lincecum, who has been embraced by the Filipino American community and who in turn reminds Filipinos he meets of his ethnicity whenever he gets a chance.

Lincecum’s love of baseball turned into a passion that earned for him the distinction as Washington state player of the year in 2003 when as a senior he led Renton’s Liberty High School to the state title.

He indulged in the sport all the way to the University of Washington where he racked up honors for his stellar performance.  The minor league was the next step before the SF Giants signed him up on June 30, 2006 for a reported $2.025 million contract, the highest paid to an amateur at the time.    

Lincecum’s debut as a Giant on May 6, 2007 against the Philadelphia Phillies (for the injured starter Russ Ortiz) did not exactly bode of the greatness to come in a matter of months, giving up two hits, two runs, and striking out three for a loss.

FUTURE HALL OF FAMER

“This is a momentous day, an amazing day, that defines Timmy’s ability,” Giants manager Brian Sabean spoke of his biggest asset two and a half years later. 

“I mean it’s not all about the next Cy Young,” Lincecum shared his goal.  “I learned from my dad never to settle.  The objective is for the World Series.  This (honor) is a side benefit to trying to get where the team wants to go.”

Though he has shown himself to be a potential Hall of Famer in terms of his statistics, Lincecum acknowledged that he is still growing up and finding his way in the sport and in life.

Three weeks before learning of his second straight Cy Young, Lincecum was found in possession of marijuana and related paraphernalia during a traffic stop Oct. 30 in his home state. In a plea deal, his possession charge was dropped, but he is required to appear in court on Dec. 22. 

“Going through bombs, unfortunately like I went through recently, changes your perspective,” Lincecum referred to the arrest at the news conference, which concluded with the superstar rising to the podium and offering a formal public apology.

“I made a mistake and I completely regret my actions earlier this month in Washington…I want to apologize to the Giants organization and the fans.  I know as a pro athlete I have a responsibility to conduct myself appropriately on and off the field.  I promise to do better in the future…This won’t ever happen again.”