944

Tim Lincecum is on top of the world. At just 24-years-old, the hard-throwing righty is the toast of the town and baseball’s newest golden boy. As the National League’s reigning Cy Young winner and strikeout leader, Lincecum has Giants’ fans excited about their team for the first time since Barry Bonds was knocking balls into McCovey Cove. His electric style and overpowering speed makes Lincecum the game’s most intriguing player and the frontrunner for every major pitching award in the 2009 season. However, before Lincecum officially starts his Cy Young defense, he took time out to talk with 944 about baseball, life in the city and who helped him name his dog. 

944: Thanks so much for taking the time to talk with us. This has probably been a really busy off-season for you.

Tim Lincecum: Things have been hectic, but it comes with the territory with the Cy Young and everything. There’s a lot of players getting a lot of bad press these days with all the steroid stuff, so I’m not going to complain about answering questions about winning awards.

944: Speaking of which, you’re 5’10, 160 lbs, yet nobody has accused you of using steroids. How are you getting a free pass?

Lincecum: [Laughs] I guess they look at me and think I don’t do steroids. It’s weird, right?

944: Only a little. So what advice would you give to other 24-year-old pitchers coming into the league with a 95 mile per hour fastball and limitless potential?

Lincecum: It’s not about what you got it’s about how you use it. It sounds sort of funny but it doesn’t matter how fast you throw or how dirty your stuff it’s about where you throw it.

944: A lot of people say you have the best arm in baseball, but even more folks claim you have the best hair in the Giants’ dugout. Is there anyone who gives you a run for your money?

Lincecum: I think it’s close. I would actually say Brian Wilson has the best hair. He’s definitely got a great sense of style.

944: Would you ever consider rocking the Randy Johnson mullet now that he sits next to you in the bullpen?

Lincecum: I think I could probably pull it off, but I like my hair right now. Then again he did win a lot of games with the mullet, so maybe there’s something to it.

944: You’ve been in San Francisco for a couple years now. How do you like it?

Lincecum: It’s a great city. I really love it. I’m from Seattle so there’s a lot of similarities. And when I need to get away from everything it only takes a bridge to get to a new place with a totally different vibe to it.

944: If you only had 24 hours in San Francisco, how would you spend it?

Lincecum: Because I haven’t done it yet, I would go see Alcatraz. I’ve been wanting to for so long but I haven’t had a chance to do it yet. I would also hit up Morton’s Steakhouse too. I love that place

944: Is that your favorite restaurant?

Lincecum: I really love a good steak, so it’s always hard to turn down Morton’s. But if I had to pick one place it still might be In-N-Out. It’s a very well known spot for myself.

944: When you’re not cruising the burger scene, how do you like to spend your spare time?

Lincecum: I don’t go out that much. I like to keep it low key. I just got a puppy recently, and he’s been keeping me pretty busy these days.

944: What kind of puppy?

Lincecum: He’s a French Bulldog named Cy.

944: Did you name him after the Cy Young Award?

Lincecum: Yeah, but it’s actually a funny story. At first I wanted to name him Brian after the dog from Family Guy. But then pretty much right after the Cy Young was announced me and my friend we’re driving down to San Francisco and he told his Dad that I bought the dog and was going to call it Brian. His Dad wasn’t a huge fan of it, so he just said ‘Why don’t you call it Cy?’ So I did.

944: Sounds like you’re endearing yourself to the dog lovers and baseball fans?

Lincecum: [Laughs] I guess so. I love the people here. I know a lot of players say it, but I really do appreciate all the support the fans in this city give me. It means more than any award really does.

Anything about you that you’d like your fans to know?

I don’t think most people realize I’m half Filipino. Oh, and I’m actually 5’11!

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