SAN FRANCISCO -- Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum, the Giants' pair of promising 23-year-old right-handers, saluted their former teammate, Matt Morris, who was released by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

Morris told a New York newspaper in Tuesday's editions that he's retiring from baseball after recording a 121-92 mark in 11 Major League seasons.

Morris, who's 10 years older than Cain and Lincecum, served as a mentor to them during his Giants tenure, which ended last July 31 when he was traded to Pittsburgh for outfielder Rajai Davis and right-hander Stephen Macfarland.

"He was always pushing us," Cain said. "He gives tough criticism, but he loves it. That's the way he takes care of guys. He's as hard on you as possible during games or practice, but ... he's a great dude. He's got a great heart."

Lincecum said that Morris' competitive fire left a lasting impression.

"He wanted it so bad. That's what I remember about him most," Lincecum said. "He was just so intense."

Morris tried to pass on what it meant to be a Major Leaguer.

"He made sure I did the right things both on the field and off the field, how to be professional about things," Lincecum said.

Occasionally, Morris even imparted advice about what happens between the lines.

"I'd work on my curveball with him," Lincecum said, "because he was 'money' with his curveball."