Posted on November 20, 2009 by Andrew Flynn
Lincecum Lands Second-Straight Cy Young Award
Former Roadrunner Tim Lincecum was named the National League Cy Young for a second straight season, earning 11 of 32 first-place votes. The most hotly-contested award thus far, Lincecum barely edged out Chris Carpenter, who earned nine first-place votes and Adam Wainwright, who actually had 12 first-place votes. Lincecum is just the second pitcher to win the award without the most first place votes — Tom Glavine was the other in 1998. Lincecum is the first repeat winner since Randy Johnson won four straight from 1999-2002. There’s an argument to be made that Lincecum was actually better this season than he was in 2008, posting a lower ERA (2.48 compared to 2.62), a lower WHIP (1.05 compared to 1.17) and a lower batting average against (.206 compared to .221). Though he didn’t best last year’s totals, Lincecum led the National League with 261 strikeouts. Thankfully, Lincecum’s modest 15-7 record didn’t scare the BBWAA off. (Rotoworld)