Lincecum to the Rescue

29 players had ever thrown multiple no-hitters in major league baseball history. 3 had ever won multiple Cy Young Awards and thrown multiple no-hitters. 1 had ever no hit the same twice, and that was Hall-of-Famer, Addie Joss, back in 1908 and 1910. And only 1, also a Hall-of-Famer. Dodger legend, Sandy Koufax, had ever won has ever won 2 World Series, won two Cy Youngs, and thrown at least 2 no-hitters—Koufax threw 4 no-nos, including a perfecto. Only 1 Giant, Hall-of-Famer Christy Mathewson, had ever thrown 2 no-hitters. Add one to each category.

Yesterday, San Francisco Giant Tim Lincecum tossed his second no hit game against the same San Diego Padres—granted the worst hitting team in baseball—technically within the same year. Although not known for his hitting, Lincecum clubbed two hits in the game, adding insult to injury by not only no-hitting the Padres, but obviously outhitting them as well.

Old school baseball featured strong traditions and superstitions, sometimes bordering on obsessive-compulsive or anal-retentive behavior. One of the oldest is players avoiding a pitcher working on a no-hitter, and never mentioning the possible no-hitter. Modern media seems to be eroding much of the tradition and superstition of the game, and maybe that’s for the best. Lincecum was so relaxed during the game, and he was talking and laughing late in the game when even the scoreboard had mentioned the no-hitter. The announcers showed no hesitation in discussing the possibility of the no-hitter.

Only a walk prevented a perfect game, and in his postgame interview Lincecum demonstrated his class and humility. He could have easily blamed the umpire for squeezing the plate, but after admitting one pitch might have been close, he admitted it was a legitimate walk. Tim Lincecum used to be a real good pitcher, consistently. That’s why he won consecutive Cy Young Awards. Now, though, he is hot and cold, often within the same game. So it was nice to see him back in form. After the game, he said he did not have great stuff, but that he made good pitches with two strikes. Maybe he has learned how to pitch, rather than just throw.

At the end of the interview, a reporter asked him what he was going to do that evening. He answered that he was going to return home and drink. Then he blushed and asked, “Can I say that?” Someone may find fault with that response. With today’s high profile players in all sports driving under-the-influence, partying all night under the media’s scrutiny, and taking steroids despite the rules and risks, Lincecum’s simple response of returning to the privacy of his home and celebrating with a drink should be applauded. He is definitely old enough to drink, he would not be out driving, and most importantly, he earned it.