Tim Lincecum Hall of Fame chances lasted one cycle of eligibility.
“The Freak” earned 2.3% of votes on his first year on the ballot, short of the 5% threshold to remain on future ballots.
Lincecum will be a rare two-time Cy Young Award winner who has multiple World Series rings to not have a bronze plaque in Cooperstown. He finished his career with three World Series championships, two Cy Youngs, four All-Stars. He threw two no-hitters and led the National League in strikeouts every season between 2008 and 2010.
Lincecum’s Hall of Fame case was defined by a short peak of greatness. He pitched for 10 seasons — the minimum seasons to be eligible — but was one of the most dominant pitchers in the sport from 2008 to 2011. In that four-year stretch, he led the NL in strikeouts three times and recorded 10 strikeouts per nine innings.
Over 10 seasons, Lincecum amassed 19.9 WAR. But no number can capture the cult-hero status he earned in the Bay. Giants — and baseball — fans fell in love with his short stature, unconventional delivery and laid-back personality.
“From 2008 to 2011, he was the freakin’ man,” Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow said recently on KNBR.
But popularity doesn’t make a Hall of Famer. And though Lincecum’s flame burned out too quickly, a plaque never would’ve changed Lincecum’s legacy in San Francisco. That’s already set in stone.
