San Francisco Giants’ ace Tim Lincecum has been awarded the 2008 National League Cy-Young award winner, garnering 23 of 32 first-place votes, seven second-place votes, and one third-place vote for 137 points.

The 24-year old righty beat out reigning Cy-Young winner Brandon Webb (73 points), New York Mets’ ace Johan Santana (55), Phillies’ closer Brad Lidge (10), Milwaukee Brewers’ ace CC Sabathia (9), and Chicago Cubs’ pitcher Ryan Dempster (4).

“I thought it would be a lot closer. I was thinking more along the lines of Sabathia or Johan or Webb,” he said.

All three of those pitchers have won the Cy-Young award in previous years.

Lincecum was 18-5 this season on a team that was 18 games under .500, and is the 12th pitcher to ever win the award on a sub-.500 team. He had a winning percentage of .783, the best in the league. He also struck out 265 batters, an all time Giants’ high. Opponents hit .221 overall and .167 with runners in scoring position while averaging 7.22 hits per nine innings against Lincecum, all of those league lows. His 2.62 ERA was second best in the league.

Many thought that Lidge might win the honor, especially those in Philadelphia. Lidge was a perfect 41 for 41 in save opportunities this season with a 1.95 ERA and a 2-0 record. He also amassed 90 strikeouts. However, it was not to be. But he was certainly the Cy-Young winner of the Phillies this year, helping the team win its first World Series championship in 28 years, and its second in its entire history.