There aren’t too many times, especially in this day and age, when an accomplishment by an athlete transcends sports. But that is exactly what happened Monday night at Fenway Park as the Red Sox beat the Kansas City Royals, 7-0.
Jon Lester became the first left-handed pitcher to toss a no-hitter for the Red Sox since Mel Parnell in 1956. He allowed just three runners to reach base, two via walks. He was never seriously challenged, and was still hitting 95 miles-per-hour on the stadium radar gun in the ninth inning.
It was the second no-hitter in eight months for the Red Sox, as Clay Buchholz accomplished the feat in September.
But none of that is the real story. It was all about Lester, who missed the last two months of the 2006 season. And it isn’t that he just overcame any injury to return to the starting rotation for the Red Sox. He overcame cancer, the big "C" word, the disease that takes away too many lives much too early.
Back in the summer of 2006, Lester was heading to Fenway to prepare for a start against the New York Yankees. On his way to the park, while trying to navigate the always treacherous downtown Boston traffic, Lester was rear-ended, almost a daily occurrence in Boston.
As he got to Fenway, Lester complained of some pain in his neck from the whiplash suffered in the car accident. Days later, everyone found out the traffic accident was far from the worst news for Lester, as he was diagnosed with cancer.
He immediately went into treatment, and, being in Boston, was around the best doctors to help combat cancer there are in the country. Over time, the Red Sox were able to release news that the cancer was in remission.
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After recovering at his family home in Washington state, Lester reported to spring training in February, 2007, ready to show the Sox he could contribute. Erring on the side of caution, the Red Sox decided to move slowly with their promising young pitcher. He started the season in extended spring training, then went on to Single-A Greenville for a few starts.
Once he was pronounced ready, he moved up the Red Sox organizational ladder, through to Triple-A Pawtucket, the last stop before Fenway Park. He pitched in a number of games for the PawSox (who play less than an hour from Boston), showing improvement each outing.
Then, in the heat of the summer, he got the call from the Sox. They were summoning him back to the big leagues to make his triumphant return. He did so in Cleveland, against the Indians, on national television (ESPN) and in front of his parents, who flew in for the game.
He pitched extremely well for a youngster, never mind someone who had overcome cancer. He got the win, and many felt the comeback was complete.
Then came the playoffs. Lester pitched in Game 4 of the World Series in Colorado. The Sox were already ahead in the series, 3-0, looking to wrap up the title. He sewed up the second title in four years for the Red Sox, baffling the Rockies for five and two-thirds innings, allowing just three hits and no runs.
Coming into this season, Lester was penciled into the starting rotation in the fourth spot, behind veterans Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Tim Wakefield. He pitched in the opening series in Japan. He had a pitching duel with Toronto ace Roy Halladay earlier in the year, going eight innings and allowing just one hit and no runs.
But Monday night was the topper. He kept the Royals off balance all night. He baffled big-time prospects Billy Butler and Alex Gordon. He allowed just one runner past first base, and that was after a walk in the ninth.
He threw the 18th no-hitter in club history and only the second by a Red Sox lefthander. Lester threw 130 pitches in recording the no-hitter, striking out Alberto Callaspo with his final pitch of the game.
But it was more than just a no-hitter, the first thrown this year in the big leagues. It was the story of a 24-year-old who survived cancer and battled all the way back, going on to achieve one of the pinnacle feats of his profession.
It was enough to bring a sellout crowd to its feet, and viewers at home to tears. Enough to have all of his teammates, coaches, trainers, assorted team personnel and the owners onto the field to greet Lester, one-by-one, with a pat on the back and a big bear hug.
For Jon Lester, he took it all in like a boy in a candy shop. He greeted each and every person. He waved to the crowd and did his media interviews.
All of it while reflecting on the journey that brought him back to the big leagues, back with his teammates in Boston, where he belongs.
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3 months ago
as a yankee fan i tip my cap to the sox and john lester. what a great thing to have happen. and as you said only eight short months after the last one by buchholz. john lester is such a great story, i wish him many years of health and sucsess, but not against the yankees, lol :0)
3 months ago
what's up with the two walks? does he not know where the strike zone is? seems pretty easy to me, see the plate, take the ball, throw the ball over the plate. what is wrong with him?
OK, just kidding! He was awesome last night, and his velocity remained consistent right up until the end (I Just wish NESN had an announcer who would give a pitch count once in a while). Other than ellsbury's diving catch, no one even came close to a hit for the Royals. It was a great night at Fenway, and tonight should be fun too, with another one of the young guys (masterson) pitching for the Sox.
3 months ago
The story of Jon Lester, you almost would think it was too corny to be in a movie - star prospect on the rise for one of the top organizations in sports. in an accident, finds out he has cancer - battles his way back, and after not starting a game all postseason, he pitches great in the deciding game of the world series, earning the victory. But then to pitch how he did last night, is just amazing.
3 months ago
This was great to see. I was glad I got to see the last few outs. At first I thought it was just another Red Sox starter and then I remembered Jon Lester's story. Amazing. Great to see.
3 months ago
Wha can we say about John Lester other than he has found a home in Boston and a place in the hearts of every Boston Red Sox fan. We have always know that our fans are the greatest that can be foundin any sport, and our teams just keep proving, over and over again, that we have the the players with the greatest hearts. Let's keep on supporting them, in the good times and the lean times.
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