Lester, from Tacoma, was drafted by the Sox in the 2nd round of the 2002 draft. He made is Major League debut in relief on June 10, 2006 against the Rangers. He went 4 1/3 innings, giving up three earned in a loss. His first start came six days later against the Braves. He went six strong, giving up only one earned run and struck out five as he picked up his first career win. In his next start, he struck out 10 Nationals - still a career high.Later that season, Lester was diagnosed with "anaplastic large cell lymphoma", according to MLB.com. Lester pitched his last game of '06 on August 23 against the Angels. He won this game, pitching five innings and scattering six hits. He allowed three runs, and finished the 2006 season with a 7-2 mark.
Fast forward 11 months to July 23, 2007. Lester makes his highly anticipated return to the mound, in grand fashion. In a start against the Indians, Lester pitched six innings, striking out six and only allowed two runs on five hits.
After completing 2007 with a 4-0 record, it was time for the Red Sox to go to the postseason. Lester was not on the roster for the Sox in the Division Series against the Angels. But he was on the roster for the League Championship Series against the Indians. And he was also put on the World Series roster against the Rockies. And did he flourish. He pitched 5 2/3 shut-out innings, leading the Red Sox to the promised land - the 2007 World Series Championship.
Jump to May 19, 2008. Jon Lester is taking on the Kansas City Royals in the first game of a four game series. And aside from walking Billy Butler in the second and Esteban German in the ninth, Lester was perfect and he no-hit the Royals, as the Sox went on to win 7-0. Lester, who threw a career-high 130 pitches, became the 18th Red Sox hurler to throw a no-hitter, and the first since, well...September when fellow youngster Clay Buchholz no-hit the Orioles. Lester became just the fifth left-hander to toss a no-no in Red Sox history, and the no-hitter is the first complete game of Lester's young career.
"It's something that I'll remember forever, a lot of excitement. I think I had more adrenaline going in the ninth inning than I did in the first inning, which I guess is normal for that situation. It was great. The fans were great; they're on their feet yelling and screaming. It was probably one of the loudest times I've heard Fenway when I've been out there pitching," Lester told MLB.com.
With the no-hitter, Jason Varitek becomes the all-time leader in no-hitters caught. He has been behind the plate for the last four Red Sox no-hitters (Nomo, Lowe, Buchholz and Lester), the most ever by a catcher.
"I'm very fortunate," said Varitek, according to MLB.com. "It's so exciting to be a part of one as a catcher."
Manager Terry Francona knows what Lester has gone through, and found difficult to keep his emotions in check.
"I looked up in the ninth, and you're trying to keep your emotions in check and I went to say something to [pitching coach] John Farrell, and he was being a big baby next to me. It made me feel a little bit better," Francona told MLB.com.
But all the focus is on Lester. Here's a 24-year old kid who has overcome so much in so little time. He beat cancer. There are already talks of Hall of Fame potential for this young hurler. The spikes he wore for his no-hitter were sent to Cooperstown. The sky seems to be the limit for this kid, and he is definitely riding high right now. Playing for a perennial contender like Boston, there's no reason to think this kid can't win 15-20 games some day. What an inspiration.
Statistical and historical information courteous of MLB.com and baseballreference.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment