Congrats Tim Lincecum! The San Francisco Giants Ace becomes the 15th pitcher in Franchise history to throw a no-hitter! Going
in to last night’s game, the 29-year-old 5’11” phenom was a shadow of his known
pitching prowess with a 4-9 losing record and an ERA that has blown up closer
to 5.0, than 4.0 (floating back and forth between 4.6 and 4.9). The ‘David’
figure of the San Francisco Giants pitching staff has won 2 Cy Young Awards,
and was assumed by fans and sports analysts to have a higher statistical chance
of pitching a No-Hit wonder well before former teammate Johnny Sanchez, or
fellow “Horse” Starter, Matt Cain (who threw a Perfect Game last year at
AT&T Park, 1st in Franchise history). Many have speculated Tim may be going through
adjustment challenges, realizing he no longer has his fast ball, or deceiving
moving slider to lean back on that gave him early success against opposing
batters. Last night’s No Hitter was the
best confidence booster a pitcher can experience to encourage future outings,
and an ultimate performance confirmation that his ‘stuff’ is legit! Tim’s
outing was perfect timing to quiet critics openly divulging Lincecum's days as an
effective ‘Ace’ starting pitcher were behind him. With a diminishing fastball dipping downward to a maximum velocity of 89, 90 miles per hour on average, Lincecum realized he needed to add a variety of pitches (curve ball, change up, splitter), along with consistent placement across the plate, in order to retain success in a Major League starting rotation. Thanks to a Hall of Fame caliber pitching Coach in Dave Righetti, and an MVP Catcher wiser than his years Buster Posey, pumped "The Freak" with a pitch selection they knew he could serve up effectively. Now that Lincecum has the performance to confirm his ability... Warning: tread lightly
dear Goliaths… The Freak may have been rattled and rising once more.
A No-No, is a No-No.... Regardless of the MLB team on the
receiving end. I do believe San Francisco may have San Diego's number, though.
This is the 2nd No hitter thrown against the Padres in 4 years! Slingin' Johnny
Sanchez threw one at AT&T Park versus San Diego July 12, 2009. Crazier
statistic is Tim being the losing pitcher when a No-No was thrown by
Cincinnati's Reds Pitcher Homer Bailey against San Francisco. Two weeks
later... San Francisco Giants fans were blessed at a near perfect performance
by the 2-time Cy Young recipient. This is a Season changing moment San
Francisco needs. As I stated in a tweet when San Francisco beat San Diego on
Friday night, "Padres couldn't have appeared at a better time on San
Francisco’s 162 game Schedule!" I look forward to seeing what "The
Freak" and the Giants can bring for the 68 game stretch in the 2nd half!
San Francisco has potential and proven tools to climb back in the NL West race!
The ‘Puig’ Effect
If you’re any level of a baseball fan, and have not heard
of Yasiel Puig, you’re either on a
research sabbatical in the Antarctic, or literally living under a rock. In 30 days, Puig has not only revitalized San
Francisco’s number one nemesis (Damn Dirty Dodgers!), he may be single handedly
changing the future landscape of baseball.
In 30 days, this Cuban Rookie has
single-handedly increased MLB’s dropping fan base and interest with heart
stopping offensive prowess and gutsy outfield grabs filling up highlight reels
across North America. In 30 days,
this twenty-something Cuban has wracked up 8 home runs, 19 RBIs, a .467 on base percentage, and a .407
batting average. He wracked up 27 hits in his first 18 games. MLB hasn’t seen
such numbers since the likes of Joe DiMaggio when he made his New York Yankees
debut. Puig had a .313 Batting average, and 37 RBIs within 40 games in AA
Baseball with Los Angeles Dodgers Chattanooga Club. Puig was batting .526 in Spring Training, and
was assumed he would make the 25 man roster with the Dodgers Breaking North at
the end of March. More important, he is
revitalizing interest in baseball with young American male athletes not seen in
decades.
Although I am a staunch Dodger hater (yes… I said that
word), I cannot deny greatness. I cannot deny an athlete that has sparked new
life back into a Rivalry that has survived over a Century and moves by both
franchises turning the frigid Atlantic Coastline in for the warmer Golden
Shores of the Pacific Ocean off California. Yasiel Puig is a smashing All Star. Yes, I
said “All Star”. NL All Star Manager
Bruce Bochy was smart to place Puig on the popular ballot to be the last All
Star placed on the National League squad voted by the public. Unfortunately, I
feel a biased journalism, and broadcast sports analysts campaign literally
smeared any chance of him being voted in. There was significant back lash from
baseball purists stating “Puig hasn’t earned” it as a player to be considered
an All Star. In my humble opinion, I have to disagree. How can you say he hasn’t earned it? He’s
worked majority of his life in Cuba becoming one of the most promising Cuban
prospects by 2010. He has statistics
that leap off the page regardless of the team roster Puig filled in Cuba, or
MLB’s minor leagues.
All Star to me, means outstanding performance among your
peers where a player in his position statistically outshines the competition holding
the same position. Of course, we all
know having fans cast votes of the
starters who make up each opposing roster, it can become somewhat of a ‘popularity’
contest, versus actual All Star performances.
I mean, Derek Jeter has just come back from injury this past week, and I
believe was voted in as the AL Short Stop. Luckily, the AL manager will substitute a
performing “All Star” for Jeter, who has returned to the injury list. Yasiel Puig is an All Star. He has paid dues
through the Cuban Leagues, International
appearances, the minor leagues, and finally has shown MLB fans what we have
been missing since the days of Willy Mays.
The NL ballot broke voting records between Yasiel Puig and Atlanta
Braves (who made the team by 3 million votes, which sound like a lot, but
actually close margin when you look at the total votes cast for both players) Freddie
Freeman. Freeman won 19 million votes to Puig’s 16 million. More votes were cast between those two
players (35 million between the two) than majority votes cast for the NL
Roster! Don’t get me wrong, I love Hunter Pence, but I cast my alloted votes to
see Puig. Pence’s numbers have significantly slacked off, while Puig’s were
rising. Like the masses quietly
appreciated Barry Bonds while spewing Boos at his dominating performance, I
look forward to admiring (while booing what he does against my San Francisco
Giants) Yasiel Puig finally earning his All Star status he obviously deserves.
What is your take? Here is an interesting article
entertaining the debate even further:
