Rangers GM: Lincecum apologized for beating us in World Series

Tim Lincecum, the newest member of the Texas Rangers, is asking for forgiveness.

Lincecum and the Rangers have a history with one another from the 2010 World Series, when the two-time Cy Young winner - then still a star with the San Francisco Giants - broke hearts across the Metroplex with a brilliant performance in that series, including a Game 5 for the ages that clinched the Giants' championship.

So before he officially donned their uniform for the first time Tuesday, the classy Lincecum took it upon himself to offer a mea culpa - of sorts - for burying the Rangers eight years ago to his new general manager Jon Daniels - who built that 2010 Rangers team.

"When I talked to him on the phone before we signed him, he actually apologized for it," Daniels quipped Tuesday, according to Daniel Brown of the Mercury News. "It wasn't a very sincere apology."

Texas just couldn't solve Lincecum in 2010, as the "Freak" put up a 3.25 ERA and won both of his starts against them during that World Series. His Game 5 gem in Arlington - eight innings of three-hit, one-run baseball with 10 strikeouts - remains one of the most iconic starts of his career, and clinched the Giants' first championship since they moved from New York to San Francisco.

Rangers fans won't see that version of Lincecum this season, though, as he's expected to be used as a reliever by manager Jeff Banister. He'll also compete for the closer's role this spring.

The 33-year-old's one-year deal with Texas - which will be official once he passes a final physical Tuesday - is reportedly worth $1 million.