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Only 10 points separated the top three vote-getters in one of the tightest
votes in history. Chris Carpenter(notes) was second and St. Louis Cardinals teammate
Adam Wainwright(notes) was third, despite getting the most first-place votes.
Lincecum received 11 first-place votes, 12 seconds and nine thirds for 100
points in balloting released by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
Carpenter had nine firsts, 14 seconds and seven thirds to finish second with 94.
Wainwright, who led the NL with 19 wins and 233 innings, had 12 first-place
votes, five seconds and 15 thirds for 90 points. Closer Trevor Hoffman(notes), who
finished behind Atlanta Braves starter Tom Glavine(notes) in 1998, is the only other
player to finish with the most firsts and not win the award.
The six-point gap between Lincecum and Carpenter is tied for the
third-closest in the NL since the ballot expanded to three pitchers in 1970. The
10-point margin from first to third is the second closest for the NL ballot.
Lincecum, who had a $650,000 salary and could be headed for a big raise if
he goes to arbitration before next season, did not have any bonus provision for
winning the award. Carpenter receives $100,000 for finishing second, Wainwright
$100,000 for winding up third and Vazquez $70,000 for being voted fourth.