Tim’s done it again. Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants won his second consecutive National League Cy Young Award. Lincecum edged out the pair of St. Louis Cardinals aces, Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter. He becomes the first pitcher to repeat as the winner since Randy Johnson did so with the Diamondbacks four times from 1999-2002. It makes sense that the number one pitcher of 2008 won again, as while Lincecum’s wins total was down in 2009, he improved in almost every other area.

In 2008, Lincecum put up 18 wins and five losses in 2008 and threw 227.0 innings. He also had 265 strikeouts. Those, however, were the only numbers he didn’t improve upon in 2009. He brought his ERA down from 2.62 to 2.48. His hits allowed went from 182 to 168, and walks went from 84 to 68. His WHIP dropped from 1.17 to 1.05. He also allowed four less earned runs at 62, with 10 coming by way of the long ball, down from 11 a year ago. Overall, the best guy from 2008 only got better.

It’s almost fitting that neither of the pair of Cards won, because it allows the debate to continue over who was actually most deserving. In regards to total points, Lincecum didn’t have the most first place votes. He didn’t have the most second place votes. He didn’t even have the most third place votes. Obviously, enough of the voters were split between the Cardinals right-handers and Lincecum played tortoise to their hares. The only things Lincecum had over his immediate competition was his strikeouts, complete games and shutouts, so, did he really deserve to win?

Lincecum’s Giants finished with just three less wins than the Cardinals, so his solo efforts in comparison to the one-two punch of Wainwright and Carpenter is worth just that much more, as opposed to the AL Cy Young winner Zack Greinke, whose Royals 65-97, tied for last in the AL Central. There’s something to be said about a guy who helps his team be successful, but that’s what the MVP award is for. While the giants did well this past season, they didn’t make the playoffs like the Cards did. So did Lincecum truly deserve his second Cy Young? The debate continues.