Jon Lester facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jon Lester
Lester with the Chicago Cubs in 2016
Pitcher
Born: (1984-01-07) January 7, 1984 (age 41) Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
Batted: Left Threw: Left
debut
June 10, 2006, for the Boston Red Sox
Last appearance
October 2, 2021, for the St. Louis Cardinals
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	200–117
Earned run average	3.66
Strikeouts	2,488
Teams
Boston Red Sox (2006–2014) Oakland Athletics (2014) Chicago Cubs (2015–2020) Washington Nationals (2021) St. Louis Cardinals (2021)
Career highlights and awards
5× All-Star (2010, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2018) 3× World Series champion (2007, 2013, 2016) NLCS MVP (2016) NL wins leader (2018) Pitched a no-hitter on May 19, 2008

Jonathan Tyler Lester (born January 7, 1984) is a former professional baseball pitcher from the United States. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for several teams. These teams included the Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals, and St. Louis Cardinals.

Lester achieved amazing things after being diagnosed with lymphoma. Less than two years later, he started and won the final game of the 2007 World Series for the Red Sox. In May 2008, he pitched a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals. He helped the Red Sox win another championship in 2013. He also won the 2016 World Series with the Cubs. Lester started the first game of a playoff series 12 times. This was a baseball record for many years.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Jon Lester grew up in Puyallup, Washington. He went to Bellarmine Preparatory School in Tacoma, Washington. While playing for his school's baseball team, Lester was a three-time MVP. He was also chosen for the All-Area team three times. In 2000, he was named the Gatorade State Player of the Year for Washington.

Jon Lester's Professional Baseball Journey

Joining the Red Sox: Draft and Minor Leagues

The Red Sox picked Lester in the second round of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft. He was the 57th player chosen overall. They gave him a $1 million signing bonus. This was the highest bonus for any second-round pick that year.

Lester quickly moved up through the Red Sox's minor league teams. In 2005, he had a great year for the Portland Sea Dogs. He had an 11–7 win–loss record. His earned run average (ERA) was a league-leading 2.61. He also had 163 strikeouts, which was the best in the league. He was named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Year. The Red Sox also named him their Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

Other MLB teams wanted to trade for Lester. The Texas Rangers tried to get him in a trade for Alex Rodriguez in 2004. The Florida Marlins also wanted him in a trade for Josh Beckett in 2006. But the Red Sox managed to keep Lester each time.

Playing for the Boston Red Sox (2006–2014)

2006: Major League Debut and Health Challenge

Lester made his first major league start on June 10, 2006. He played against the Texas Rangers. He finished his rookie year with a 7–2 record and a 4.76 ERA.

In August 2006, Lester had to stop playing because of a sore back. Doctors later found that he had anaplastic large cell lymphoma. This is a type of cancer. Lester had chemotherapy treatments during the off-season. By December 2006, tests showed no signs of the disease. It seemed to be gone.

2007: A Champion's Return

Lester before Game 4 of the 2007 World Series

After getting better, Lester returned to the Red Sox in the middle of the 2007 season. He started playing for their minor league teams first. Lester made his first 2007 start for the Boston Red Sox on July 23. He pitched well and earned the win.

In the 2007 World Series, Lester pitched in Game 4 against the Colorado Rockies. He pitched 5+2⁄3 shutout innings. The Red Sox won that game, which clinched the World Series title. Lester became only the third pitcher in World Series history to win a series-clinching game in his first postseason start.

The Boston Baseball Writers' Association of America gave Lester the 2007 Tony Conigliaro Award. This award honors players who overcome challenges.

2008: Pitching a No-Hitter

The score at Fenway Park after Jon Lester's no-hitter on May 19, 2008

On May 19, 2008, Lester pitched a no-hitter! This means no opposing player got a hit. It was a 7–0 win against the Kansas City Royals. He threw 130 pitches and struck out nine batters. This was the 18th no-hitter in Red Sox history. It was also the first no-hitter by a Red Sox left-handed pitcher since 1956.

In 2008, Lester had a 16–6 record with a 3.21 ERA. He was named the AL Pitcher of the Month twice. He also helped the Red Sox win against the Angels in the American League Divisional Series. Lester pitched 14 innings without allowing any runs. He also received the 2008 Hutch Award. This award goes to a player who shows great fighting spirit.

2009: A New Contract and Strong Season

On March 8, Lester signed a new contract with the Red Sox. It was for five years and $30 million. He had a tough start to the season. But he pitched very well from late May onwards.

On June 6, Lester almost pitched another no-hitter against the Texas Rangers. He pitched 6+1⁄3 perfect innings. A double in the seventh inning broke up the no-hitter. But Lester finished the game, striking out 11 batters. He finished the 2009 season with a 15–8 record and a 3.41 ERA.

2010: All-Star Season

In 2010, Lester had a fantastic May. He won five of his six starts. He had a 1.84 ERA and 45 strikeouts. He was named the American League Pitcher of the Month for the third time.

On June 16, he earned his 50th career win. Lester was chosen for his first American League All-Star team on July 1. He finished the season with 19 wins and 225 strikeouts. He also had a 3.25 ERA. Lester finished fourth in the voting for the 2010 AL Cy Young Award. This award goes to the best pitcher.

2011: Leading the Rotation

Lester was the opening day starter for the Red Sox in 2011. He had a good season. He led Boston's starting pitchers in wins and strikeouts for the second year in a row. He was named to the American League All-Star team again.

Lester finished the season with a 15–9 record and a 3.41 ERA. He was among the top pitchers in strikeouts, wins, and ERA.

2012: A Challenging Year

Lester was the opening day starter for the Red Sox again in 2012. However, he had a difficult season. He finished with a 9–14 record and a 4.82 ERA.

2013: World Series Champion Again

On May 10, 2013, Lester pitched a complete game one-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays. He allowed no walks and faced only 28 batters.

Lester was chosen to start Game 1 of the 2013 ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Red Sox won that game and the series. Lester also started Game 1 of the 2013 ALCS against the Detroit Tigers. He pitched well, and the Red Sox won the series.

After winning the ALCS, Lester started Game 1 of the 2013 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. He led the Red Sox to an 8–1 victory. Lester also won Game 5. The Red Sox went on to win the World Series in six games.

2014: Strong Start and Trade

On May 3, 2014, Lester pitched eight one-hit innings against the Oakland Athletics. He had a career-high 15 strikeouts in that game. He was chosen for his third All-Star Game in July 2014.

Playing for the Oakland Athletics (2014)

On July 31, 2014, Lester was traded to the Oakland Athletics. He was traded along with Jonny Gomes. In return, the Red Sox received Yoenis Céspedes. Lester had a 6–4 record and a 2.35 ERA while playing for the A's.

Lester started the 2014 American League Wild Card Game for the A's. He pitched well, but the bullpen lost the lead. The Royals made a big comeback and won the game. Lester finished the season with a 16–11 record and a 2.46 ERA. He finished fourth in the AL Cy Young voting.

Playing for the Chicago Cubs (2015–2020)

In December 2014, Lester signed a six-year, $155 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.

2015: First Year with the Cubs

Lester made his first start for the Cubs on April 5, 2015. He finished April with an 0–2 record. On July 6, 2015, Lester got his first career major league hit. This was a big moment for him as pitchers don't often get hits.

Lester finished his first year with the Cubs with an 11–13 record. He pitched 205 innings and had a 3.34 ERA.

2016: World Series Champion with the Cubs

Lester pitching during Game 7 of the 2016 World Series

In 2016, Lester had a great season. He finished second in the National League with 19 wins. This matched his career high. He was also second in ERA with 2.44.

Lester started Game 1 of the 2016 National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants. He pitched eight scoreless innings and earned the win. The Cubs won the series.

Lester also started Game 1 of the 2016 National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He pitched well in Game 5, earning his third win of the postseason. The Cubs won the series. Lester was named Co-MVP of the 2016 NLCS. His performance helped the Cubs reach the World Series for the first time since 1945.

Lester started Game 1 of the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians. He also started Game 5, helping the Cubs win and extend the series. Lester pitched in relief in Game 7. The Cubs won this game, ending their 108-year championship drought. Lester was voted the Babe Ruth award as postseason MVP.

2017: Milestones and Injury

On August 1, Lester reached his 2,000th career strikeout. He also hit his first career home run in the same game. Later in August, Lester was placed on the disabled list due to a left shoulder injury.

2018: All-Star Season

Lester was named the Opening Day starter for the Cubs in 2018. On July 1, 2018, Lester hit his second career home run. It was a three-run shot.

Lester had an 11–2 record with a 2.25 ERA. He was named to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game. However, he could not play because he had pitched the day before. For the season, he finished with an 18–6 record and a 3.32 ERA.

2019: Another Opening Day Start

Lester was the Opening Day starter for the third year in a row. This was his eighth career Opening Day start. He earned the win in a 12–4 Cubs victory.

2020: Final Season with Cubs

Lester had a challenging season in 2020. He finished with a 3–3 record and a 5.16 ERA. He became a free agent after the season.

Playing for the Washington Nationals (2021)

Lester with the Nationals in 2021

On January 27, 2021, Lester signed a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals. He was the first player to wear number 34 for the team since Bryce Harper left in 2019.

Playing for the St. Louis Cardinals (2021)

On July 30, 2021, Lester was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. He earned his 200th career victory on September 20, 2021. This made him one of only three active pitchers at that time to reach this milestone. Lester made 12 appearances for St. Louis. He had a 4–1 record with a 4.36 ERA. Lester became a free agent after the season.

On January 12, 2022, Jon Lester announced his retirement from baseball. At the time he retired, he was the last active player from the 2007 Boston Red Sox World Series team.

Understanding the "Yips" in Baseball

Jon Lester had a well-known problem throwing the ball to first base. This is usually a simple task for a professional pitcher. This issue is known as the yips. The yips can make it hard for athletes to perform routine movements. In 2015, people noticed Lester had not tried to pick off a runner for over a year. He sometimes made wild throws when he did try. In 2018, it was reported that Lester tried to solve this by bouncing his throws to first base.

Jon Lester's Life Outside Baseball

Lester with his sons at the 2016 Home Run Derby

On January 9, 2009, Lester married Farrah Stone Johnson. They met in 2007. Together, they have two sons and one daughter. During the baseball season, they lived in Chicago. After Lester left the Cubs, they sold their home in 2021. They live in Atlanta during the off-season.

Lester and his wife Farrah started a charity called NVRQT in 2011. NVRQT stands for "Never Quit." This organization helps children with cancer. It also supports researchers who are working to find a cure.

In his free time, Lester enjoys hunting. He also likes wine. When the Chicago Cubs were trying to get him to join their team, they sent him fine wines and camouflage Cubs shirts.

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