BallHype - Latest San Francisco Giants News Articles

The Evolution of the Greatest Mane in Sports: The Story of Tim Lincecum

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:06:49 +0000

November 19th marked an important turning point in not only Tim Lincecum's baseball career, but his life as well. The 25 year old ace of the San Francisco Giants won his second NL Cy Young in as many years, becoming the first pitcher in Major League Baseball history to win back to back Cy Youngs in his first two major league seasons. Undoubtedly, the pitcher with the small frame and the big right arm has lived up to his moniker, "The Freak." As I sat at my desk watching the Giants press conference announcing that Lincecum had won the award, I began to think that maybe, just maybe, Giants fans and media were actually playing a cruel trick on poor Timmy. Was it possible that his nickname wasn't derived from his slight stature and his herky jerky delivery that would blow most pitchers' arms out, but in fact, a commentary on his ever-growing mane of awkwardness? The question fascinated me. So, I thought it appropriate to look at the evolution of Tim Lincecum's hair. What does it mean? What is he trying ...

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Giants add four to 40-man roster

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:31:00 +0000

The Giants purchased the contracts of right-hander Kevin Pucetas, first baseman Brett Pill and outfielders Darren Ford and Francisco Peguero and added them to the 40-man roster Friday.

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Giants can find talent in 'second tier'

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:40:00 +0000

A look at the players who might occupy that "second tier" of free agents that prompted Giants general manager Brian Sabean's enthusiasm

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Giants plan to avoid OFs Holliday and Bay

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:44:02 +0000

Sporting News staff reports The Giants, believed to be in the market for a slugging left fielder, apparently won't pursue free agent outfielders Matt Holliday or Jason Bay. General manager Brian Sabean told the San Francisco Chronicle that he hasn't contacted the agents for those two players and has no plans to do so. Sabean said he doubts Bay and Holliday have genuine interest in signing with San Francisco, and he doesn't want the Giants to be used to drive up those players' prices for other teams. Instead, Sabean noted the market's good crop of "second tier" free agents.

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Giants' Lincecum repeats as NL Cy Young Award winner

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:25:20 +0000

Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants won his second consecutive National League Cy Young Award Thursday, becoming the first repeat winner in the major leagues since Randy Johnson won four times from 1999 to 2002.

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Giants ace Lincecum wins second straight Cy Young

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:21:43 +0000

Tim Lincecum has been so dominant in his first two full major league seasons that even his top bosses don't know how he can get much better.

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Here's a Thought: Reacting To Andrew Bailey's ROY Victory

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:11:11 +0000

Like most sports fans, I take a lot of pride in my predictions that come true. I said the Red Sox would win the 2004 ALCS even when they went down 3-0. I predicted Kurt Warner would be a great NFL QB before he ever took a snap in the league (and I was only nine at the time). I've made a number of other far-fetched predictions that came true in different sports. However, baseball is a game that is largely random. The year-to-year player variations are staggering, and nobody, no matter their expertise, gets them all right. To me, that's a big part of what makes the game great. No matter how much you know, or what approach you take, several players a year will always surprise you. Who thought Michael Bourn would be an excellent player in 2009? Who thought Chien-Ming Wang would be terrible? And hey, I'm man enough to admit when I'm wrong. And Andrew Bailey has certainly proved me wrong. Even I, a follower of the minors, had no real enthusiasm about Bailey coming into 2009. I knew who the guy ...

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Giants' Tim Lincecum wins his second straight Cy Young Award

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:50:31 +0000

He beats out Cardinals aces Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright in one of the closest votes in history. > He beats out Cardinals aces Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright in one of the closest votes in history.

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Giants unlikely to court Holliday, Bay

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:26:00 +0000

On the eve of open free agency, Giants general manager Brian Sabean essentially ruled out any possibility of signing Matt Holliday or Jason Bay, regarded as the two most significant impact hitters available.

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Off-field issues overshadow Lincecum's big day

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:53:31 +0000

Stan McNeal Tim Lincecum was humbled by winning the N.L. Cy Young award Thursday for the second consecutive year -- even if winning meant an awkward telephone news conference. Tim Lincecum forced to address pot arrest as he's honored with Cy Young award. Because Lincecum recently was cited for speeding and arrested for possession of marijuana, the media figured to be as interested in Lincecum's off-the-field activities as his triumph over Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright in the award voting . But before the conference began, reporters were asked to stick to baseball questions, and afterward, Lincecum would address in a statement the incident that occurred in the state of Washington. Once the questions stopped, Lincecum indeed spoke on his own -- but didn't address his arrest other than to say "with what's happening right now" he was pushing himself to become an even better pitcher. Just as the ...

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The Encore Was Even Better: Tim Lincecum Wins the 2009 NL Cy Young

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:05:09 +0000

Coming into the 2009 season, many people wondered what exactly Tim Lincecum could do following a first full year in the bigs where he won the National League Cy Young Award. It's not that we expect a drop off or anything like that, but you have to wonder what a guy can do after winning a Cy Young as a 24-year-old who is just two years out of college. Well, we found out. Tim Lincecum: 2009 NL Cy Young Award winner—in back-to-back fashion. That's what you call getting it done. He now has two more Cy Young Awards than arguably the best pitcher in Giants history, the great Juan Marichal. He joins a club of National League pitchers with consecutive awards that only has three other members—Sandy Koufax, Greg Maddux, and Randy Johnson. The results didn't come in with Obama-like landslide like last year. In fact, they were far from it. Instead of the comfortable margin of victory over Johan Santana he had in 2008, Lincecum squeaked past the two Cardinals aces and win by just six points and 10 ...

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Lincecum wins 2nd straight NL Cy Young

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:22:18 +0000

Giants ace Tim Lincecum has won the NL Cy Young Award, becoming the first repeat winner in the major leagues since Randy Johnson was voted the prize four straight times from 1999-2002.

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Giants' Lincecum wins second consecutive Cy Young

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:48:39 +0000

NEW YORK - Giants ace Tim Lincecum won the NL Cy Young Award on Thursday for the second consecutive season to become the first repeat winner since Randy Johnson, emerging...

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San Francisco Giants' Tim Lincecum wins second consecutive Cy Young

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:16:09 +0000

Giants ace Tim Lincecum has won the NL Cy Young Award, becoming the first repeat winner in the major leagues since Randy Johnson was voted the prize four straight times from 1999-2002.

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Giants' Lincecum wins second consecutive Cy Young

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:11:45 +0000

San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum won the NL Cy Young Award on Thursday for the second straight year, emerging from one of the tightest votes in the history of the honor to become the first repeat winner since Randy Johnson.

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Giants' Lincecum repeats as NL Cy Young award winner

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:11:12 +0000

Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants won his second consecutive National League Cy Young Award Thursday.

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Giants' Lincecum wins second straight Cy Young

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:10:54 +0000

Giants ace Tim Lincecum has won the NL Cy Young Award, becoming the first repeat winner in the major leagues since Randy Johnson was voted the prize four straight times from 1999-2002. Lincecum led the NL with 261 strikeouts and tied for the league lead with four complete games and two shutouts. Only 10 points separated the top three in one of the closest ballots in the award's history.

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Cards close, but miss on Cy Young

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:09:00 +0000

Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter each were hoping to bring home the top pitching prize, but both saw the NL Cy Young Award go to Giants ace Tim Lincecum on Thursday.

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Lincecum wins second straight NL Cy Young

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:08:39 +0000

San Francisco's Tim Lincecum joined an elite group of pitchers, beating out a pair of Cards for his second straight Cy Young.

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Lincecum wins second straight N.L. Cy Young Award

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:00:50 +0000

Sporting News staff reports NEW YORK (AP) — Giants ace Tim Lincecum has won the NL Cy Young Award, becoming the first repeat winner in the major leagues since Randy Johnson was voted the prize four straight times from 1999-2002. Lincecum led the NL with 261 strikeouts and tied for the league lead with four complete games and two shutouts. Only 10 points separated the top three in one of the closest ballots in the award's history. Lincecum received 11 first-place votes, 12 seconds and nine thirds for 100 points in balloting released Thursday by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter was next with 94 points and teammate Adam Wainwright finished third with 90 despite getting the most first-place votes with 12. Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Lincecum's the one; that makes two Cys

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:02:00 +0000

Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum repeated as the National League Cy Young Award winner on Thursday, besting St. Louis right-handers Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright.

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Giants to show patience with free agency

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:57:00 +0000

When Brian Sabean recently announced that he planned to exercise stealth instead of speed in pursuing free agents this offseason, the Giants general manager probably didn't have history in mind.

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Why Andrew Bailey Should Have Ran Away with the AL Rookie of the Year Award

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:57:46 +0000

Andrew Bailey should have been a near-unanimous selection for the American League Rookie of the Year Award. Bailey was by far the best rookie in the American League in 2009, and it's ridiculous that he only got 13 first-place votes out of the 28 votes that were cast. Elvis Andrus of the Texas Rangers finished second and Rick Porcello of the Detroit Tigers finished third. The Chicago White Sox feel like Gordon Beckham should have been also near the top. Here's the reason why Bailey won the award: He was consistent throughout the season. He didn't just have one long stretch of doing a great job while struggling otherwise. Throughout the season, Bailey came into a game and shut teams down, and only a couple of times was Bailey ever really hit hard. The problem with Andrus and why he never was going to win the award is that offensively he isn't anything special, as he's primarily known for his glove. Porcello came in third because his numbers of 14-9 were impressive, but his strikeout-to-walk ...

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Lincecum must appear in court

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:19:00 +0000

Giants ace Tim Lincecum, who has reached a plea agreement related to his Oct. 30 traffic stop, must appear in court for his Dec. 22 arraignment if he wants the judge to sign off on the agreement.

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Japanese pitcher headed to MLB

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:38:15 +0000

The agency that represents Johan Santana , Jose Reyes and a bevy of other Mets clients over the years has a new player in the fold. Lefthander Hisanori Takahashi , who will be represented by Peter Greenberg & Associates, announced Tuesday in Tokyo that he has elected free agency. Here's the announcement from the agency: The 34-year old Takahashi has spent his entire 10-year career with the Tokyo Giants of the Japanese Central League. A front of the rotation starter, Hisonori has compiled a 32-15 record over the last three seasons. He has led the team to the Central League Championship in each of those three seasons. “It has always been my dream to pitch in the Major Leagues,” Takahashi said. “I made my decision because I believe I can succeed.” In 2009, Takahashi led the Giants to the Japan Series championship, posting a 10-6 mark with a 2.94 ERA in 25 starts. It marked the third time in his distinguished career that he has been a part of a Japan Series ...

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Japanese LHP Takahashi eyes majors (AP)

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:07:00 +0000

Yomiuri Giants pitcher Hisanori Takahashi is hoping to continue his career in the major leagues. Takahashi, a 34-year-old left-hander, went 10-6 with a 2.94 ERA for the Japan Series champion Giants this year. His best season with Yomiuri was 2007, when he was 14-4 with a 2.75 ERA. Takahashi said at a news conference Tuesday he wants to follow in the footsteps of former teammates Hideki Matsui and...

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Will Tim Lincecum Be The Same Pitcher In 2010?

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:35:51 +0000

Tim Lincecum has taken the baseball world by storm over the past two-and-a-half seasons. Depending on who you ask, he is at or near the top when asked to name the best pitchers in the game. Lincecum won the Cy Young Award in 2008, and he put himself in a position to win another in 2009 with an even better year. Regardless of the outcome of this year's ballot, he will face a landscape in 2010 that he has never before dealt with. Two weeks ago, he was pulled over for speeding. During the traffic stop, the police officer smelled marijuana. Lincecum complied with the officer's request to hand over the pot and a pipe. He reached an agreement with prosecutors to drop the possession charges, but he will still pay a fine for speeding and possessing a marijuana pipe. The matter must still be approved by a judge, but there should be no further legal issues involving Lincecum for this case. This is also the winter that Lincecum becomes arbitration-eligible. To say he will be in line for a huge raise is ...

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Victim's family asks judge to drop Angel Villalona case

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:16:59 +0000

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - A top baseball prospect for the San Francisco Giants has been freed on bond after the family of the man he is accused of killing asked...

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Giants prospect loses visa amid murder charges

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:50:44 +0000

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) -- A top prospect for the San Francisco Giants has been stripped of his U.S. visa after he was charged with killing a man in his Caribbean homeland.

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Giants official: Top prospect charged with murder

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:45:15 +0000

A top prospect for the San Francisco Giants has been stripped of his U.S. visa after he was charged with killing a man in his Caribbean homeland. Pablo Peguero, the Giants' representative for Latin America, said Friday that 19-year-old Angel Villalona can't join the team in the United States because the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic has revoked his visa.

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Giants' Peguero has U.S. visa stripped (AP)

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:07:43 +0000

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Giants official: Dominican prospect loses US visa

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:04:26 +0000

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Villalona has U.S. visa revoked

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:42:00 +0000

Angel Villalona, a top prospect for the San Francisco Giants, has been stripped of his U.S. visa after he was charged with killing a man in his Caribbean homeland.

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The five teams that will shape MLB free agency

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:35:52 +0000

A week from today, MLB free agency officially will open. At that point, teams will be free to talk money with not only their own free agents but all free agents. This isn't a great free-agent class, but there are several impact players who will have the big-market franchises throwing plenty of money their way. For once, all eyes won't be on the Yankees. Sure, they have decisions to make on Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Andy Pettitte, among others, but they don't have to spend nearly a half a billion dollars this offseason. Instead, these teams will be the ones that will shape the market: Matt Holliday likely will be pursued by the Mets, Red Sox and others. Mets. After a disastrous fourth-place finish that coincided with their crosstown rivals winning their 27th World Series, the Mets need an overhaul. Injuries played a big part in their 2009 struggles, but this team can't afford to go into the season with Daniel Murphy at first base, Luis Castillo at second base and some revolving ...

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Meulens gets right to work for Giants

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:50:00 +0000

By the beginning of Spring Training, Hensley Meulens will remain a first-year hitting coach. But he really won't be a new one.

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Departing Winn earns 'Good Guy' nod

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:00:00 +0000

Randy Winn, who garnered this year's "Good Guy" award for cooperation with the media covering the Giants, appears destined to revive the tendency -- most likely coincidental -- for recipients of the honor to be sent packing by the end of the following season, or sooner.

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Prosecutor: Villalona offered to pay family $140K

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:08:27 +0000

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) -- A top prospect for the San Francisco Giants offered the family of a man he allegedly killed nearly $140,000 so they would drop the case against him, a prosecutor said on Tuesday.

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Angel Villalona Out on Bail: The Odd Twists and Turns Just Keep Coming

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:10:47 +0000

Sept. 19, 2009 has two very different meanings for the San Francisco Giants organization. On one end of the spectrum, their High-A affiliate, the San Jose Giants, celebrated yet another California League championship after completely steamrolling the competition. On the other, their teammate Angel Villalona, who was in the Dominican Republic after being sent home to visit family before beginning offseason conditioning, was being accused of murder. From top prospect to being 19 years old and a possible murderer. Not exactly what you call an ideal situation. Since then, almost two months had gone by without hearing anything about Villalona's legal situation in the Dominican. It wasn't a shocker considering that when he was arraigned the judge said he would stand trial in two or three months. Then Sunday afternoon rolls around, and there are reports that Villalona has been released on bail —something few people actually expected to happen with everything being so quiet on the news front for ...

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Sports of The Times: New York Has Its Share of Losers. Feel Better?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:11:08 +0000

Fans around the world who begrudge New York for its free-spending Yankees and cable money need to look at the city’s total sports picture.

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Giants will not re-sign RF Randy Winn

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:15:47 +0000

Sporting News staff reports Randy Winn will not return to the San Francisco Giants next season. Winn's agent, Craig Landis, tells the San Jose Mercury News that the club told his client it has a number of young outfielders available in its system. Winn, 35, batted .262 this season with just two home runs in 149 games. He was the Giants' primary No. 3 hitter. Landis says Winn wants to remain an everyday outfielder.

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Victim's family asks judge to drop Villalona case

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:45:20 +0000

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) -- A top baseball prospect for the San Francisco Giants has been freed on bond after the family of the man he is accused of killing asked a judge in the Dominican Republic to drop the case.

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Giants prospect Angel Villalona freed; murder case continues

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:07:34 +0000

Giants prospect Angel Villalona has been released from prison while the state builds its murder case against him.

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Villalona granted bail in murder case

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:30:00 +0000

Giants infield prospect Angel Villalona has been freed on bond but will still face murder charges in the Dominican Republic stemming from a Sept. 19 shooting.

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