Sports Thread #1 for 11/11/08: Tim Lincecum Wins The NL CY Young

Photo from MLB.com

As I take a second glance, I certainly have no problem with San Francisco Giants flame thrower Tim Lincecum winning the National League CY Young today, which is obviously the young flame throwers first.

Originally, I thought that CC Sabathia and Brad Lidge were more deserving because of their tremendous seasons. It is a special year for any closer to not even blow a single save, let alone even a few. All the cards must fall into place for that to happen, and for Lidge to do that is simply amazing.

Sabathia would have won this award if he was in Milwaukee from the beginning of the year, and pitched like he did after coming over from the Indians in the mid season trade that propelled the Brewers to the Wild Card in the Senior Circuit. It is truly hard to ignore an 11-2 record with a 1.65 ERA, and how much of an impact Sabathia made on that team. The fact that he garnered one first place vote was a joke in my mind, especially with the way Brandon Webb (who finished second in voting and received four first place votes) faltered the rest of the season.

Nevertheless, Sabathia didn't pitch from April to September the way Lincecum did. And he wasn't on just one team like the 24 year old was either. Despite being on the punchless, woeful Giants, Lincecum was among the major's leaders in all categories, topping the charts in strikeouts (265) and finishing third in ERA (second in the NL) with 2.62 total. (For more numbers validating Lincecum winning the award, go here.)

Some people were making the case for Johan Santana if Lincecum got the award, but even with how the Mets bullpen blew decision out of decision out of decision for the multiple CY Young lefty winner, Santana at the beginning of the season was good, but not spectacular. He fell in love with his change up at times leading to hitters sitting on it , and he wasn't as dominant at the incipient stages of the season as he was at year's end.

At the end of the day, Lincecum was the most consistent of all pitchers this season in the National League, and he certainly deserved it.