OT: Talk About a Pitcher Not Named CC -- Lincecum's Motion

by slcathena on Jul 8, 2008 2:39 PM CDT

Following a link from Baseball Prospectus I came across the following article at SI. It's a pretty fun read all around, but given our recent series with the Giants, this particularly jumped out at me:

Edited to fix the reference link.

Now jump and land on the balls of your feet and your toes. The shock is absorbed with the help of the toes, feet, ankles, legs and bent knees. How can Lincecum take such a long stride and still land on the ball of his left foot with a bent front knee? One secret, he explains, is what he calls his "ankle kick," a snapping of his right ankle as his right foot, the back foot, leaves the rubber. Lincecum comes off the rubber with such snap that, upon the ball's release, his right foot is more than a foot in front of the rubber, shrinking the distance -- and thus stealing precious time -- between him and the batter.

(Emphasis added)

When we faced Lincecum I remember in the game thread that I wasn't the only one who thought Tim was occasionally leaving the rubber before the ball was. It seemed to happen later in the game, I'd guess as fatigue set in. I don't know how to capture small videos of games for upload, so I can't show direct pitches, if anyone can, I'd be grateful.

This post is not to flame Lincecum or anything else--but merely to spark discussion about that particular nuance of his motion. We have a few more games left against the Giants, I'm betting Tim will pitch at least one of them--if this is a big part of his pitching motion and sort of breaks down later in games, it's something we need to watch. Or, you know, tell me I'm wrong. ;) I'm cool with that too.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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There is a great

piece about Lincecum in SI. I read it on the plane yesterday—-great read

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip

by Hammer on Jul 8, 2008 2:42 PM CDT reply actions

yeah

that was incredible. his stride is 127% of his height. insane

Dinosaurs? "Didn't exist. You can't say there were dinosaurs when you never saw them." -Carl Everett

by NDcubsfan on Jul 8, 2008 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Lincecum is scheduled to go vs. the Cubs on Sunday.

Here’s the article that was in the SI magazine.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Jul 8, 2008 2:49 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks! Reading now.

Sunday should be fun! :)

These are the saddest of possible words: "Tinker to Evers to Chance"

by slcathena on Jul 8, 2008 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Gah, it's the same article. Swear I thought it was ESPN before,

Editing now.

I have too many windows up at any given time.

These are the saddest of possible words: "Tinker to Evers to Chance"

by slcathena on Jul 8, 2008 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions

I read this article last week...

...just before Lincecum’s start against the Cubs. It’s a big overdramatic for my tastes. Reading the piece, you’d think Lincecum would shut out every team he faces before donning a red cape and flying back to the dugout between innings.

Nonetheless, it does go into great details about his mechanics and the role his father played in his development. His Dad seems pretty convinced that his son’s mechanics will keep him throwing hard and injury free for years to come. I guess time will tell on that, but it’s hard to argue with the results Lincecum has gotten thus far.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by daver on Jul 8, 2008 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm a bit surprised

at the fact that nobody thought about all of these things before “Timmy’s” dad. There has to be plenty of pitchers out there that have experimented with their own mechanics. I’m also surprised at that fact that they talk to openly about every aspect of his mechanics. Wouldn’t you want to keep some of these things close to the vest for his own success? Maybe it doesnt matter if the whole world knows. But then in that case, why not put together an instructional league, or DVD’s or make some use out of this fountain of knowledge. Even if that means helping kids who can’t read good. Instead, Timmy’s dad just sits at home talking to reporters and wondering why his son hasn’t called in a week. I agree with Daver below, a bit overly dramatic.

Go ahead, Z me.

by tony412 on Jul 8, 2008 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions

I was more interested in the

Cub angle and the analysis of Prior and Brownlies motions before the 2003 and 2002 draft. That the Oakland guy identified potential breakdowns in those two so Oakland wouldn’t spend high draft picks makes me ill.

Imagine if two pitchers (not Prior or Brownlie) picked so high by the Cubs panned out and did not have injuries from those years. The current discussion to upgrade the pitching staff for a #2 starter would probably be moot and the focus could be on SS or the bullpen.

by N Oakley on Jul 8, 2008 3:42 PM CDT reply actions