By HENRY SCHULMAN, San Francisco Chronicle

SAN FRANCISCO - Tim Lincecum always has been a rare bird, from his windup to his hair to his demeanor, so who better to agree to that rare baseball contract that makes everyone a winner?

Any comprehensive analysis of the San Francisco Giants' World Series championship run last season must include the fact that general manager Brian Sabean did not make a panic move for a bat and kept his pitching staff intact.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Omar Vizquel might become the first player to give a Hall of Fame acceptance speech on the day he collects his first Social Security check. He will begin his 23rd big-league season a few weeks short of his 44th birthday, and he refuses to say he'll retire before he turns 45.

PHOENIX - The National League West has not exactly been a hotbed of champions since the three-division format was created in 1994.

Until the San Francisco Giants won last year, the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks were the only team to hoist the flag. Before that, the 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers were the last of the five current West teams to win.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - The Phillies might be favored to win the National League pennant, but folks who are making World Series hotel reservations in Philadelphia should consider two words:

Javier Lopez.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson tested his sore back with a second full bullpen session Monday, declared he was "throwing BBs" and predicted he will face hitters for the first time Wednesday or Friday.

That is big news for Giants fans, but not the lead Wilson story in the Hollywood press.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - It truly felt like spring training when San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum walked into Scottsdale Stadium on Monday wearing plaid shorts, flip-flops, a gray knit cap and a hoodie. The GQ magazine editors who featured Lincecum on their cover would have shrieked at the sight.

Oh, and Lincecum's game attempt at a mustache was gone.

The San Francisco Chronicle is addressing a number of questions about this year's Giants until pitchers and catchers report for spring training Feb. 14.

Today's question: Did the front office do enough this winter?

Play-by-play broadcaster Jon Miller was vacationing in jolly old England when his lawyer phoned with the not-so-jolly news that ESPN had declined to offer him and Joe Morgan new contracts for "Sunday Night Baseball," ending a 21-year run on prime time for the duo.

SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco Giants fans are the party guests who refused to leave. After the parade and rally at the Civic Center, which together lasted nearly four hours, hundreds of the faithful surrounded the players' entrance at AT&T Park on Wednesday afternoon to get one more glimpse.