Tim Lincecum: The new face of Major League Baseball?

Shocker! ESPN2’s SportsNation’s viewers believe that Tim Lincecum can become the face of Major League Baseball.

SportsNation co-host Michelle Beadle says that The Freak is “a two time Cy Young winner and a World Series Champion.” She notes than Lincecum is “not the kind of corporate face that’s been boring people for years and losing young fans.” Ouch!
 
As for myself, I find Lincecum a fascinating dude, not just because he’s a great pitcher, but he because he’s got personality to spare. He’s very charismatic, in a quirky, San Francisco sort of way. He reminds me a little of Shaun White, in that both of them have their own unique looks.
 
And as a Yankee fan, it’s fun to see somebody like him, who would never “fit in” with the Yankees’ hair code or image. I felt the same way watching Manny Ramirez and his own non-corporate hair.
 
Lincecum is one of the more memorable faces in MLB these days, but I don’t know if he can become “The Face of MLB,” because of his love of, um, a certain herb. When asked about how San Francisco was reacting to the World Series victory, he said:

“Just a lot of craziness, I’m hoping,” Lincecum said. “A lot of beer flowing. Smoke in the air, I’m hoping.”

Don’t think he’s talking about tobacco smoke there!

What do you think? Tell us about it!

Photo by Estebomb

Why couldn’t that be the Yankees? The Giants get to Cliff Lee

Remember how I wrote a few weeks ago that Cliff Lee could be “beatable” in this year’s postseason, because the Yanks did get to him for five runs in Game 5 of the World Series last October? Well, I was right about Lee not being automatic, but I was wrong about who would get to him. The San Francisco Giants made the Texas Rangers pitcher look very hittable last night, with that six-run fifth inning.

And I’m sure a lot of Yankee fans were thinking the same thing I was — why couldn’t that have been the Yankees who did that? Yes, I’m still bitter about Joe Girardi giving up in Game 3!

Much like the Twins made the Yankees look like worldbeaters in the ALDS, I wonder if the Yanks made the Rangers, especially Lee, look completely dominant in the ALCS. It will be interesting to see how the Giants handle Colby Lewis, the starter who shut down the Yankees twice. If San Francisco manhandles him, I’m not going to be happy!

Tim Lincecum wasn’t at his sharpest, but it didn’t matter. I’ve heard some Yankee fans coveting him, though. First off, he’s not a free agent for a few more years. Second, he’d have to kill his personality, and everything that makes The Freak fun to watch, as a Yankee. Can’t see him in pinstripes at all, no matter how much I like watching him pitch!

Oh, and how about Barry Bonds sitting in the stands? Squawker Jon was repelled by seeing him. I think it’s okay that he’s there. After all, he had a lot to do with the Giants being able to get that wonderful new ballpark, and he did get them to the World Series in 2002. Why should they hide him away? Like it or not, he was an important part of the franchise’s history. (And no, Roger Clemens doesn’t even come close to being as important in Yankeeland!)

What do you think? Tell us about it!