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San Francisco Giants’ Superstar Tim Lincecum Talks About Life Off the Mound

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: So what advice would you give to other 24-year-old pitchers coming into the league with a 95 mph fastball and limitless potential?
TIM 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 is, it’s about where you throw it.
944: You’ve been in San Francisco for a couple years now. How do you like it?
TL: 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, what would you do?
TL: 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?
TL: 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?
TL: 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?
TL: He’s a French Bulldog named Cy.
944: Did you name him after the Cy Young Award?
TL: 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 were 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?
TL: [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.
944: Anything about you that you’d like your fans to know?
TL: I don’t think most people realize I’m half Filipino. Oh, and I’m actually 5-foot 11 [inches]!