Timothy Leroy Lincecum (born June 15, 1984, in ) is an American baseball player who is currently a starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. He is nicknamed "The Franchise" and "The Freak." Lincecum's first major league start was broadcast throughout North America by ESPN on the evening of May 6, 2007. He throws right-handed and bats left-handed. Lincecum is known for his long stride, unorthodox mechanics, and ability to generate high velocity despite his slight build of 5'11", 172 lbs. Lincecum won the 2008 NL Cy Young Award, becoming the first second-year player to win the Cy Young since Dwight Gooden and Bret Saberhagen both won in 1985. His repertoire includes a two-seam fastball that reaches well into the mid-nineties, a changeup he grips like a splitter, a curveball notable for its sharp breaking action, and a slider. He also has a four-seam fastball, but rarely uses it.