I noticed at least three sports columns today defending Tim Lincecum’s selection as an All Star. This is a standard topic for this time of year and I understand why local writers defended Bruce Bochy for choosing Lincecum, although some people in other parts of the country don’t think Lincecum should have made the team.

It’s an interesting debate. Lincecum is one of the best pitchers in the game and, at times, is the very best. He is a great competitor. He is interesting with his long hair and young face and canon delivery, and fans from all over the country like to see him pitch.

On the other hand, he is number 16 in ERA and he has a losing record. Of course, the Giants don’t hit but he still has a losing record. So there is evidence on both sides of the argument.

Local writers tend to defend him because they see him pitch all the time and he is, after all, a member of the world champs. It’s just possible this debate is more about where a writer is from than it is about Lincecum’s merit.