Filipino-American pitcher Tim Lincecum powered the San Francisco Giants to win their first World Series title since 1954 on Monday, defeating the Texas Rangers 4-1 to capture Major League Baseball's best-of-seven final.It was the 6th all-time World Series crown for the Giants but their first in 56 years and the first since they moved to California from New York in 1958.
San Francisco's shortstop Edgar Renteria blasted a three-run home run in the 7th inning for the decisive hit, giving Texas southpaw Cliff Lee 6 2/3 scoreless innings. The victory has bestowed him the 106th World Series Most Valuable Player after going 7-for-17 at the plate, a .412 average, with 2 homers and 6 runs batted in 5 five games.
In 1997, he singled home the Series-winning run for the Florida Marlins in the 7th game.
Meanwhile, the 26-year-old Lincecum held the Rangers to only three hits over 8 innings, including a solo home run by Texas outfielder Nelson Cruz in the 7th inning. He then assented to Giants closer Brian Wilson who entered in the 9th, with the last 3 outs set the team to victory.
"We did it as a team. We put it together and that's how we won it," Lincecum said, with a just-embossed 2-0 World Series record.
With a nickname “The Freak,” Lincecum with his team dubbed as "castoffs and misfits" has made the championship boost morale over the team in their Fall Classics loses in 1962, 1989 and 2002.
"They wouldn't be denied. I couldn't be prouder of this group,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.
After being picked to start Game 1 against Texas’ Lee in Game 1, Lincecum has gained a popular Filipino following.
He is the first pitcher in MLB history to win the prestigious Cy Young Award in each of his first two full seasons. He is also the only pitcher to strike out more than 260 hitters in each of those two seasons.
In February, Lincecum became the highest-paid pitcher in his first year of eligibility in Major League Baseball (MLB) after signing a $23 million two-year deal with the San Francisco Giants.
The deal was reported to surpass the record set by Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon who signed for $6.25 million last year in 2009.
Gretchen Barretto (right) and Lucy Torres-Gomez (left) grace the cover of YES! magazine's November issue, which fearlessly ranks The Top 10 Fashionistas in Showbiz.