UW pitcher Lincecum nails top national honor
Tim Lincecum spent the past few weeks vacationing with his girlfriend at her parents' home in Southern California. He rode the rollercoaster California Screamin' on a visit to Disneyland and continued California dreamin' while the San Francisco Giants and his representatives closed in on a contract.
There was no contract and no signing bonus as of Friday. But there was an added bonus when Lincecum became the first University of Washington player to win the Golden Spikes Award, given annually to the nation's top amateur, the equivalent of a college baseball Heisman Trophy.
"It's pretty surreal the run that I've been on here," Lincecum said when reached on his cellphone. "This award caps off a great year at school, all the attention, getting drafted by the Giants. It's pretty much been a rollercoaster."
Next stop: likely Salem-Keizer, the Giants' short-season Class A team that plays the Everett AquaSox in a three-game series Thursday in Everett.
When the Giants selected Lincecum 10th overall in baseball's draft this month, they indicated they would make him a starter in Salem. Lincecum said that's also what he has heard, but he's still open to relieving if that's what the Giants want.
"We're definitely getting close to a deal," he said. "I'm really looking forward to the point where I can sign and get back to baseball."
The Golden Spikes Award is the latest in a long line of accolades for Lincecum this season. He finished his college career ranked first in school history in wins (30), innings pitched (342) and strikeouts (491) en route to winning Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year for the second time in three seasons.
Past Golden Spikes winners include Mark Prior (2001), Pat Burrell (1998), Jason Varitek (1994), Phil Nevin (1992), Will Clark (1985) and Terry Francona (1980).
"That's exclusive company," Lincecum said. "It's been a pretty crazy experience these past few months. I've never really gone through anything like this. Hopefully, it just gets better from here on."
Greg Bishop: 206-464-3191 or gbishop@seattletimes.com
ERA: 1.94
W-L: 12-4
IP: 125-1/3
H: 75
BB: 63
SO: 199
AVG: .173