Tim Lincecum

[Damn True]

If you enjoy baseball and you haven't seen this kid pitch you are missing out.

Last year's NL Cy Young winner in his first full season in the majors.
8-2 this year
Leading MLB in Strikeouts
2nd in the NL in ERA
Tied for 2nd in the NL in wins
3 of his last 4 games have been complete game wins
His last two have been complete game shutouts
Last night, in a complete game shutout he went 9, with 8 K's, 2 hits, 0 walks.....against the Card's....with Pujols in the lineup!!! (sorry JP)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/06/TimLincecum_2007_035-1.jpg

[parsonsj]

I love Lincecum. He's a guy who seems to get more out of his size than just about anybody else in MLB.

But I love last night's results against the Cardinals. I'm a Reds guy. :) Go Giants!

jp

(plus my brother has Giants season tix... he sees 20-30 games a year)

[Damn True]

Oh...I thought you were a Card's guy. My bad.

I was watching the game last night thinking "oh this is killing JP!"....and laughing.....but now I find out my schadenfreude was misdirected.

IMO the Giant's will make the NL wildcard this year and get CRUSHED in the 1st round. They really need 2 more bats in the lineup. I'd like to see them trade for Ichiro and put him in left or see if they can find a corner infielder with 20 dingers in his bat.

[Happyfunballs]

Yes, last nights game was an embarrasment.

[parsonsj]

I don't think it's an embarrassment to lose to Lincecum. Give the guy his props. He's been better this year than last, if that's possible.

The Reds need to get Volquez and Encarnarcion back from the DL, and add another bat themselves. They were in the DeRosa sweepstakes, but got outbid by the Cardinals. Again.

Lots of talk about Matt Holliday, Willingham, or even Gary Matthews. One wild fantasy is to go get Hanley Ramirez for a couple of the Reds young starters, and then bring Maloney and Bailey up from AAA.

At least baseball is still fun for me... and it's nearly July. :)

jp

[Damn True]

Look on the brightside Rick. Our starter tonight is 22 years older than Lincecum. Of course....its....Randy Johnson. At least you have Matt Cain to look forward to on Wed.....oh wait. Barry Zito on Thurs?

I don't for a second think we'll sweep. Our offense is way, way too soft but it's sure a lot of fun knowing on 4/5 nights we have a much better than avg chance of beating anyone in the league.

Hasn't been that way for quite a few years out here.

[Damn True]

I don't think it's an embarrassment to lose to Lincecum. Give the guy his props. He's been better this year than last, if that's possible.

The Reds need to get Volquez and Encarnarcion back from the DL, and add another bat themselves. They were in the DeRosa sweepstakes, but got outbid by the Cardinals. Again.

Lots of talk about Matt Holliday, Willingham, or even Gary Matthews. One wild fantasy is to go get Hanley Ramirez for a couple of the Reds young starters, and then bring Maloney and Bailey up from AAA.

At least baseball is still fun for me... and it's nearly July. :)

jp

You are only going to get Holliday if you are willing to give up a 3b, ss or 2b. That's where the A's needs are and they don't have someone in AAA that's ready. We'd like to have him too, but we are soft at 2b, old at ss and there is no freakin way the Giants will trade Pablo Sandoval.

[parsonsj]

You are only going to get Holliday if you are willing to give up a 3b, ss or 2b. That's where the A's needs are and they don't have someone in AAA that's ready. And $7M in salary for the rest of the year. Oakland always wants young players, and the Reds don't have anybody considered major league ready like that at AAA. They do have Todd Frazier and Juan Fransisco at AA, both of whom are considered future major leaguers. Wonder if that would get a deal done? That $7M is gonna be a problem though.

jp

[poormans69]

I'm an A's fan and I give Lincecum all the props in the world. The kid is a stud with a wicked curve and change up - then a very nice fastball. The Giants always seem to be missing bats when their pitching is so good. I would like to take this time and thank you for taking Zito off our hands. He gives up a couple of hits then mentally breaks down. I watched it happen alot.

I might just go watch the 89 world series for old times sake.

[Damn True]

i might just go watch the 89 world series for old times sake.

booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

[parsonsj]

I might just go watch the 89 world series for old times sake.Do that. Don't forget to watch the '90 series as well. It won't take as much time, since it was much shorter. :)

jp

[poormans69]

Both those series were sweeps.But I think 1972 was a little closer. :poke:

[PT Goat]

If you enjoy baseball and you haven't seen this kid pitch you are missing out....Last night, in a complete game shutout he went 9, with 8 K's, 2 hits, 0 walks.....against the Card's....with Pujols in the lineup!!!...

How about last nights' complete game shutout with only 95 pitches, 60 of them strikes.

[Damn True]

How about last nights' complete game shutout with only 95 pitches, 60 of them strikes.

Oh...forgot that bit.

and

Game time, 2hrs 6min.

[parsonsj]

Ah, 1972. I was 12 years old, and my family had just moved to Stockton CA (from Dayton OH). In those days, the weekday games were during the day, and I remember watching the games during gym class. I remember clearly that I was the lone Reds fan in my gym class, and maybe the entire middle school.

The image I remember most: Gene Tenace pretending to call for an intentional ball with Johnny Bench at the plate, then quickly ducking down to catch strike 3. I don't think I've seen that attempted ever again.

jp

[poormans69]

I was -5 years old. But I love history and respect the Big Red Machine and all and all the players who made the sport great. Just giving you a ribbing. It's great to talk baseball with people who love the game.

[poormans69]

Oh, and I won't hold it against Pete Rose for ending Ray Fosse's career in an all-star game. The man hustled like no other.

[Damn True]

That was my single favorite play in the history of baseball.

Crushing a catcher in a game that has no bearing at all! Why? Because that's how the game is supposed to be played.

It drives me nuts nowadays when someone won't drill a catcher when it's appropriate to do so.

Pedro Feliz failed to do it twice in a single 3-game series.....against the Dodgers no less, two years ago. Enjoy him Phillies fans.

[CRCRFT78]

When it comes time to give Cain & Lincecum contracts I hope they don't f*** that up.

[Damn True]

...and if for some reason they are unable to re-sign both of them I sure hope they wind up in the AL.

[poormans69]

Very well put True.

[parsonsj]

We moved to Ohio in 1969, and my dad took my brother and I to several Reds games a year. I remember being at Crosley Field, before it was replaced by Riverfront Stadium in 1970.

I worshipped the Big Red Machine, and would play wiffle ball for hours with my brother, imitating each player's batting stance as we went through the lineups. I made him be Baltimore, or Oakland, or the Dodgers. (Cincy/LA was the big NL rivalry during the 70s). I went to a bunch of Reds games at Candlestick after we moved there.

I remember the Rose/Fosse collision (1970, I think). Fosse was the Cleveland catcher, right? PM were you an Indians fan back then? There was a bit of irony to that story: when Rose served time for tax evasion (he was a hustling baseball player, but a son of a bitch in real life), it was in Marion IL, Fosse's hometown.

Anyway, baseball was life back then. It still almost is, and the recent MLB direction to televise all games on the internet has made me a bigger fan than ever.

jp

[Damn True]

JP, have you been to May's Field yet? (I refuse to call it Pac-Bell-AT&T or whatever) They have great quotes about baseball emblazoned on the walls inside the galleries. This one is my favorite:


The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers; it has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and it could be again.

[poormans69]

PM were you an Indians fan back then?


No, always an A's fan. I just saw that people questioned why Pete Rose would do such a thing. I questioned those people. I was born in 1977 so I have gone off of replays, books, baseball cards, ect. to get my info. Baseball to me has the most game inside of a game and it's much more interesting if you know the back story. My wife watches baseball when she want's to take a nap. I watch it when I have nothing else to do or it's post season. Nothing is better than listening to a game on the radio while wrenching or being there live.

[Damn True]

Gimme KNBR on a crappy single speaker AM radio with John Miller, Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper (though I sure miss Lon Simmons) a couple of beers and something to do in the yard or garage and I am one happy guy.

I once sat in the Radio Room of the Coast Guard Cutter Chase, moored in Tokyo Harbour listening to a Giants game on KNBR and drinking Sapporo by some grace of atmospheric conditions and a really good radioman.

[parsonsj]

Field of Dreams. Just thinking about that movie chokes me up.

Yes, my brother and I went to a late spring training game there a couple of years ago. The Giants played the A's. We parked on the street and strolled to the game, and looked around. It's a marvelous place for baseball.

I've never been to Great American, though it's been open since 2003. I drove past it on my way to Detroit once. I was hauling II Much in a 24 foot trailer. I did stop in Dayton (Oakwood, actually), and found my old house there, but nearly got stuck on the narrow streets with the trailer.

I've seen the Reds play in Cincinnati, San Francisco, San Diego, Washington, Sarasota (ST), Kissimmee (ST), and New York.

[parsonsj]

I remember WLW with Joe Nuxhall and Al Michaels. Michaels was replaced by Hall of Famer Marty Brennaman in 1973.

If you have an iPhone, you can listen to MLB games on the "radio" while driving around or wrenching. It's awesome.

jp

[parsonsj]

I've met Jon Miller. He used to be the Orioles guy in the late 80s. He gave a speech at some dinner I was at, and there some sort of mixer afterward.

He even flirted with my wife. She thinks he's very charming. :)

jp

[Damn True]

This is one of the coolest things about baseball.

The Giants and the Dodgers have been bitter rivals for 126 years. In that span the record is 1156-1134-17 in favor of the Giants.

[parsonsj]

Yeah, the Giants and Dodgers is one for the ages. What other rivalry started on the East coast and migrated to the West? It's the only one.

jp

[Damn True]

Posted elsewhere on PT.com:


The first thing I asked my wife when we started dating was, "You're not a Dodger fan are you?"

Democrat I can live with, Dodger fan....no way.

[Damn True]

I remember WLW with Joe Nuxhall and Al Michaels. Michaels was replaced by Hall of Famer Marty Brennaman in 1973.

If you have an iPhone, you can listen to MLB games on the "radio" while driving around or wrenching. It's awesome.

jp


Michaels had a brief stint as a Giant's broadcaster I believe in the late 80's.

[Damn True]

Yes, last nights game was an embarrasment.


You guys did a little better last night in a 6-3 loss.

This just in, Pujols is really good.

[Damn True]

Giant's are rumored to be sniffing around Jermaine Dye.

I dunno, he's a bit Fra-gee-lay isn't he?

[Happyfunballs]

Pujols is a freak, plain and simple. The guy just produces, the pitching however....

Can't seem to catch a break, looks like our new aquisition (DeRosa) will be on the DL. Hopefully we put on a better showing tonight and tomorrow.

[Damn True]

You don't get a break tonight either. Matt Cain.

His stuff is a bit less electric than Timmy's but he's a little more savvy in terms of pitching strategically and better with men on base.

[Happyfunballs]

Got one back. Took us 10 and wasn't pretty, but a win is a win. Looks like Wellemeyer and Zito tonight.

[Damn True]

That was a great game!

Colby Rasmus needs to put a bend in his brim. I like the way he wears the rest of the uni though.

[Happyfunballs]

We had a pitched named Anthony Reyes that would iron the brim of his hat before each game. It was laser straight.

[buickfunnycar.com]

I like Lincecum a ton obviously,he is amazing to watch...but I'd really like to see him face more powerhouse American League teams and if he embarrasses them like he does the NL then I convinced.

Not taking anything away from him in the least...but them NL lineups are weak.

[Damn True]

There should be a constitutional amendment to outlaw astroturf, the designated hitter and inter-league regular season games.

[parsonsj]

There should be a constitutional amendment to outlaw astroturf, the designated hitter and inter-league regular season games.Hell yeah. Times 2.

jp

[dipren443]

Hell yeah. Times 2.

jp

I'll third this motion. I hated playing on turf the few times I had the experience...

I love watching Lincecum pitch. As a pitcher, and one who really focused on mechanics, I am impressed and inspired by his motion and delivery to the plate. To say he is mechanically efficient would be an understatement.

[Damn True]

You played? At what level?

His motion is seriously funky. Not Vida Blue kinda funky but pretty out-there. Definitely atypical.

IMO, he ought to light-colored glove and wear his pants at the knees with stirrups and sani's. He'd be all arms, legs, flashes of color it would drive hitters even nuttier!

[parsonsj]

Oh, and to add one thing to the list of changes (no turf, dh, or inter-league play): all teams must have consistent uni's. No more of this high sock / low sock / no sock thing. Each team picks their look, and all members of the team comply. Don't get me started on the different hat "looks", but that seems difficult to enforce.

Oh, and Manny Ramirez: clean your batting helmet! What do you do: tow it behind you on your way way to the ballpark?

jp

[Damn True]

I can accept catchers going with the long pants. I wouldn't want the bunch-up behind my knees while in a squat for 9 innings. But everyone else ought to be in stirrups and sanitary socks. Or the sani's that look like they have stirrups on as well.

Oh, and relief pitchers should either look like this:

Clay Zavada of the D-Backs
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Or like biker/escaped mental patients who will either strike you out or stab you.

[dipren443]

You played? At what level?

His motion is seriously funky. Not Vida Blue kinda funky but pretty out-there. Definitely atypical.

IMO, he ought to light-colored glove and wear his pants at the knees with stirrups and sani's. He'd be all arms, legs, flashes of color it would drive hitters even nuttier!

D1 College ball. Baseball is taken pretty seriously in Florida and a few schools had turf infields, more to show off they had the cash IMO. IT SUCKED. Yeah, the hops were true, but violent. Played in a few scout leagues that had us on spring training fields too. Some of those were turf as well. If only I had a little more oomph on my fastball... Or were left handed.

[dipren443]

I can accept catchers going with the long pants. I wouldn't want the bunch-up behind my knees while in a squat for 9 innings. But everyone else ought to be in stirrups and sanitary socks. Or the sani's that look like they have stirrups on as well.

Oh, and relief pitchers should either look like this:

Clay Zavada of the D-Backs


Or like biker/escaped mental patients who will either strike you out or stab you.

LOL. I had a full beard in HS. Everyone thought I was a college kid standing up on the mound.

Stirrup socks are cheating. The real deal or nothing. Sure stirrups never stayed up, but when they did, the uniform looked the business. I prefer stirrups or solid color socks. Most of the pants you can get these days are the long type. I still play in a mens league and was getting ready to order some new pants... If I want pants that dont go all the way down to my spikes, gotta get em hemmed.

[parsonsj]

Don't like stirrups and sanitarys. I prefer no-socks, but whatever: as long as the whole team looks the same.

jp

[6'9"Witha69]

So, what's the gripe with astroturf? Not a baseball fan. But I am exposed to it a LOT. I am going to the Angels game tonight. All my inlaws are Baseball fans. Wife's cousin is recovering (Hip surgery) AA Catcher for the D-Backs.
I've played on AT (Football). I know running backs don't like it too much but as a TE I never had a problem.

[Damn True]

It makes the infields stupid fast which causes hit's to get through that shouldn't, and bunts don't die the way the ought to. The ball sliced along the baseline is more likely to correct and stay fair on turf where on grass it's spin will carry it foul as hit. It takes the element of chance out of the slow dribbler rolling along the base line. It causes injuries to outfielders. Nobody's uni's get dirty. It doesn't look or smell like grass.

[Damn True]

One word: Pablo

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Go to MLB.com and vote to get this kid into the All-Star game!!!

[parsonsj]

Oh, what a depressing night.

The Reds lost in Philly tonight, 22-1. The worst loss in their history. That's 140 years of playing baseball. That's more than 21,000 baseball games. Their worst loss. Ever.

And I got to see the whole thing.

jp

[Damn True]

Pablo hit a 2-out Grand Slam.

With 2 outs he is hitting over .400, .333 going into the game tonight.

He is a freaking cartoon.

Here he is rounding 2nd about 2wks ago. Huffing and puffing and blowing a bubble with his hubba-bubba on the way to a triple:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/PQUBz3G0oo8v4mz98PwopkDUo1_500-1.jpg

[zbugger]

VOTE PABLO!!!!! I did, and it feels good. In fact, I think I'll go back and vote some more!!! He really does deserve to go to the all star game. Clutch hitting and he just gets better with every game.

Oh, and that first pitch from Affeldt to Coghlan was just wrong....

[Damn True]

HOLY COW! HOLY COW! HOLY COW!

I just got back from the yard (Mays Field) where I got to watch this:

July 10, 2009
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
San Diego
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
San Francisco
0 4 0 0 3 0 0 1 X 8 12 1


Jonathan Sanchez pitches a no-no! First Giants no-hitter since John (The Count) Montefusco did it in 1976!!!!!

Sanchez has had a really rough year. Demoted to the pen for the last three cycles of the rotation. Brought back to cover for Randy Johnson (shoulder strain, 15-day DL).

Eli Whiteside (first year in the majors) caught an amazing game filling in for Bengie Molina who's wife is having a baby tonight and Aaron Rowand made a spectacular 2nd out catch in the 9th and the kid polished it off with a K!

11 K's, no walks, one base runner on an error on Juan Uribe in the 8th.

I am still shaking! The coolest thing I've ever seen.

http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090711&content_id=5818442&vkey=news_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf

[Happyfunballs]

Pablo who?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


One of the best catchers to play the game.

[Damn True]

Pablo is actually a backup catcher, he mainly plays 3rd, but has a fair number of starts at 1st as well.

....and he's better than Victorino or that other knucklehead from the Phillies.

[poormans69]

I was thinking of you True when I was watching the Fresno Grizzlies game and they kept updated the no-no. Congrats on a great experience. Could be a once in a lifetime thing. The kid deserved that one.

[parsonsj]

Congrats, True. That is very very cool.

Here's a story for you: my brother-in-law was at Shea Stadium on Father's Day, 1964 (he was 9 or 10, and Shea had just opened) with his dad. Jim Bunning pitched a perfect game that day against the Mets, and my bil didn't get to see the end because his dad made them leave to beat the traffic!! The most recent NL perfect game was 1880, and my bil only got to see the first 6 innings.

jp

[1nkred1ble]

Booooo!!!!!!!!!!!

He sucksssss

go dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(bleed dodger blue baby!!!!)

[Damn True]

How's Jason Schmidt working out for ya?

Duck the Fodgers!

[buickfunnycar.com]

Let's talk about a real team True...best team in the American League...that'd be the NY Yankees,firing on all eight now!:machine:

We're in :1st: now and not looking back...

[Damn True]

The A's just traded Matt Holliday to the Cards.

Damn

[poormans69]

Im suprised we aquired Matt in the first place. Having a low budget team makes me bi-polar.

[compos mentis]

Of course its common knowledge Holliday had a Cards connection already working out with Skip Schumaker and Mark McGwire. What wasn't common knowledge was this: Jason Stark of ESPN reported today that Mac messed up Holliday's mechanics pretty bad when he changed them during their workouts and that was the reason for his slow start. Holliday ended up abandoning Big Mac's ideas. I like though how Holliday hasn't whined about it publicly being someone elses fault for his slow start.