Part 7/11:
The Decline: A Fall from Grace
However, as with any meteoric rise, the decline was inevitable. By 2012, Lincecum's once-dominant stats began to falter, reflected in an ERA that ballooned from 2.74 to 5.18. His once blazing fastball lost velocity, dropping from the high 90s to the low 90s. The culprit? An unsustainable pitching delivery that exerted immense stress on his shoulders and hips.
The wear and tear culminated in a degenerative hip condition diagnosis in 2015, severely impacting his performance. Following surgery, he attempted to adapt by changing his mechanics and leaning more on offspeed pitches. Despite his efforts, Lincecum could never recapture the magic he once held.