He has battled back from cancer. He shows mental toughness. After coming back from cancer, he pitched the WS game 4 clincher in 2007 and pitched a no-hitter in 2008. Plus, he's an electric lefthander.
It makes me shudder to think that Theo bundled Lester up with Manny in an attempt acquire A-Rod in 2004. Some of the best trades are those that don't happen.
Nice to see a pitcher go the full 9 innings -- what a rarity these days. Now, the rest of the rotation must follow Lester's lead.
I see that "Cowboy Up" Millar has joined NESN as analyst. I really liked having Millar around those few years. I wish him the best. It was the walk he drew in 2003 that enabled Dave Roberts to pinch run and steal 2nd base; and, get knocked in by Mueller.
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Thursday night's game did more than secure the Sox a win. It crowned the new ace on the staff. We all knew Jon Lester was good, but he totally proved it against the Twins. Yes, he had a rocky April, but who didn't? A complete game and an efficient pitch count solidified Johnny's place at the top of the Sox rotation. What I think impressed me the most about his performance was that he looked so comfortable on the mound. He knew that whatever sign was thrown down he was likely to nail his pitch. Do I think it was one of those rare nights when he was good because he was "on?" Nope. This guy's for real. He also is comfortable with Vic, which given the recent spat between Dice-K and his catcher, is one less thing we have to worry about with Johnny.
ReplyDeleteLester also stepped out of the shadow of Josh Beckett. For over 3 years now, Beckett has been the #1 starter, and until recently, with good reason. Johnny was also the #2 man in the rotation, but he demonstrated that he's a better pitcher and he's the one who should get the ball in a key game. Beckett hasn't exactly fallen from grace, but his performances of late suggests he should bring up the rear of the rotation. Until your stuff is back to '07 WS caliber, Josh, you've been usurped at the top. Seems like the rotation should go Lester, Buccholz, Wake, Lackey, Dice-K.
I like the crowning a new ace post. I have always been a Lester fan, even more since his recovery from cancer. A friend of mine met Lester last year when 'Sox played the Nationals in DC. (or it might have been the year before). This friend got Lester's autograph and said that he seemed like a nice guy, though quiet.
ReplyDeleteAs I can best recall, he is one of the first LHP's that the 'Sox farm system has developed since the days of John Tudor, Bobby Ojeda, and Bruce Hurst.
I just read where 'Sox have another lefty, Felix Doubront, recently promoted to AAA. Kason Gabard, if he could get healthy again, has big league experience. It bothered me that Theo traded him to the Rangers for Eric Gagne during the 2007 stretch when they really did not need him, in my opinion.