Former San Jose Giant Tim Lincecum Wins NL Cy Young

San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum was named the National League Cy Young award winner today for the second consecutive season. Lincecum became the first player in history to win the award in each of his first two full professional seasons. The former San Jose Giant is the National League's first back-to-back winner since Randy Johnson won the award four straight years from 1999-2002 with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Lincecum narrowly beat St. Louis Cardinals pitchers Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright for the award. Lincecum received 11 first place votes, 12 seconds and nine thirds for a total of 100 points. Carpenter was next with 94 points and Wainwright was third with 90 points, including 12 first place votes, one more than Lincecum.

Lincecum's banner 2009 season saw the right-hander finish 15-7 with a 2.48 ERA. The 25-year old led the National League with 261 strikeouts and was second in ERA and opponents batting average (.206). He was also third in the league in innings pitched and tied for fourth in wins.

Lincecum, who was the starting pitcher for the NL in this year's All-Star game, became the first Giant to lead the league in strikeouts for the second year in a row since Christy Mathewson (1907-08). His eight double-digit strikeout performances led Major League Baseball. Lincecum also tied for the league lead with four complete games and a pair of shutouts.

Lincecum was originally selected in the first round of the 2006 draft out of the University of Washington. He joined the San Jose Giants that August and dominated the California League to close out the season. In six starts with San Jose, Lincecum logged a perfect 2-0 record and a 1.95 ERA before a standout performance in the post-season. Lincecum struck out 48 batters in just 27 2/3 innings pitched with the Giants that summer as San Jose fans got an early look at the hurler's unlimited potential. Lincecum then began 2007 in Fresno (AAA) before debuting in the major leagues a month later.

Lincecum is one of 136 former San Jose Giants to reach the major leagues during the 22-year history of the club. He became the first to claim a major post-season award with last year's Cy Young win.