Jon Lester

At 40 years old, Jon Lester has this physical status:

Jonathan Tyler Lester (born January 7, 1984) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB).

He previously played in MLB for the Boston Red Sox from 2006 to 2014 and the Oakland Athletics in 2014.

Less than two years after being diagnosed with lymphoma, Lester started and won the final game of the 2007 World Series for the Red Sox, and in May 2008, pitched a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals.

He helped lead the Red Sox to another championship in 2013, and he won the 2016 World Series with the Cubs.

Personal life

As of June 11, 2019, Forbes estimated that Lester's annual income was $25.3 million.

Lester grew up in Puyallup, Washington and attended All Saints School. He later attended Bellarmine Preparatory School where he was a three-time MVP and three-time All-Area selection. On January 9, 2009, Lester married Farrah Stone Johnson, who he met in 2007 while making rehab starts in single-A Greenville. Together, they have two sons and one daughter. During the season, they resided in the Graceland West neighborhood of Chicago in a $3.8 million home, but sold it in 2021 after Lester left the Cubs. They reside in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta during the offseason, and Lester owns 1,500 acres in the southwest part of Georgia.

In March 2011, Lester partnered with Charity Wines to release his own wine label under the Longball Cellars brand. Proceeds from sales of his CabernAce cabernet support the Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the place where Lester himself was treated, to aid the development of targeted immunotherapies. Funds raised from this initiative will help researchers maximize the body's own ability to strike out and eliminate disease so lymphoma patients can extend their life. He is partnering with former teammate Clay Buchholz who is also releasing a Charity Wine, called ChardonClay, to raise money for the Jimmy Fund.

Lester and his wife Farrah established NVRQT, short for "Never Quit", in 2011 to support children with cancer and researchers working towards a cure. Lester has written guest columns about his cause on Boston.com and CNN.com.

In his free time, Lester is an avid hunter and a wine aficionado. During the 2015 offseason, in an attempt to woo him, the Chicago Cubs sent Lester fine wines and camouflage Cubs shirts.

Since retiring from baseball, Lester has become an accomplished amateur golfer, winning the 2022 American Century Championship Long Drive contest, as well as the 2022 Capital City Member/Guest with William Acree.

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High school career

Lester attended Bellarmine Preparatory School in Tacoma, Washington. Lester, who was a three-time MVP and three-time All-Area pick, while playing for the school's baseball team. In addition,, he was named Gatorade State Player of the Year for Washington in 2000.

Professional career

Lester was selected by the Red Sox in the second round of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft, making him the highest signing bonus of any second-rounder this year. $1 million.

Lester made his way into the Red Sox organization, winning 11–7, a league-leading 2.61 earned run average (ERA), and a league-best 163 strikeouts for the Portland Sea Dogs of the Class AA Eastern League in 2005. He was named the year-end Pitcher of the Year and the Red Sox Minor League Pitcher of the Year, and the year-end Topps Class AA All-Star team was selected as the left-handed pitcher on the Eastern League's year-end All-Star team and the year-end Topps Class AA All-Star team.

When Lester was in the minors, he was one of the Red Sox' top-rated players, and other major league clubs tried to sign him. Lester had been requested to be a member of the amended but the Rangers eventually refused the offer before Alex Rodriguez's 2004 season. Josh Beckett's trade before the 2006 season was announced by the Florida Marlins, but the Sox were able to keep Lester intact.

The team recalled Lester on June 10 to make his major league debut against the Texas Rangers due to a rash of injuries and general ineffectiveness of many Red Sox starters. In his rookie year, he pitched 7–2 records and a 4.76 ERA in 81+13 innings.

Lester was forced to miss his scheduled debut against the Oakland Athletics due to a sore back on August 27, 2006. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list the next day and was sent back to Boston for testing. Lester's back pains were thought to be the result of a car accident he was involved in earlier this month. Lester had been diagnosed with enlarged lymph nodes and had been undergoing testing for a variety of diseases, including cancerous disorders. Lester's doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital announced that he had a treatable form of anaplastic large cell lymphoma a few days later. Lester underwent off-season chemotherapy at Seattle's Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Lester's latest CT Scan, according to ESPN.com in December 2006, showed no signs of the disease, although it did not appear to be in remission.

Lester was able to return to the Red Sox midway through the 2007 season after undergoing successful lymphoma therapy. Lester began spring training in 2007 and the A Greenville Drive class started the season. In late April 2007, Lester got off the track for the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. Lester was taken off the disabled list in June and sent to Pawtucket for further rehab outings.

Lester got off to a good start in 2007 against the Cleveland Indians on July 23 in Cleveland, pitching six runs on five hits and striking out six runs, giving the victory. Lester, a former Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza, retired after playing against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park on September 26. Lester was the series's best in the 2007 World Series against the Colorado Rockies, pitching 531 shutout innings, giving up three hits and three walks in a series of ties while collecting three strikeouts. In his first post-season appearance, Lester was the third pitcher in World Series history to win a series clinching game.

The Boston Baseball Writers' Association of America named Lester the 2007 Tony Conigliaro Award in honor of his recovery from lymphoma.

Lester threw a no-hitter in a 7-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals on May 19, 2008. It was the 18th no-hitter in Red Sox history. Lester made 130 pitches in the game, leaving only two walks and striking out nine batters, and was charged with a throwing error on a pickoff attempt in the second inning. It was the first no-hitter to be thrown by a Red Sox left-handed pitcher since Mel Parnell in 1956, the first in baseball since teammate Clay Buchholz's death in September 2007, and Jason Varitek's fifth no-hitter. Nolan Ryan pitched the other against the Royals in 1973, making it the second no-hitter ever pitched against the Royals.

Lester, who lived in 2008, went 16-6, with a 3.21 ERA. In his first start at Yankee Stadium, he pitched a five-hit shutout along with his no-hitter. In July and September, he was named the Month's Pitcher of the Month. Lester was also a key figure in the Red Sox' victory over the Angels in the American League Divisional Series, pitching 14 innings without allowing an earned run. Lester had the second highest winning percentage of all starting pitchers over the last three years (27–8, 771) and led the Red Sox in innings pitched in 2008 with 210+113.

Lester's losses in Games 3 and 7 of the 2008 ALCS were the first losses he had ever suffered in consecutive starts.

Lester was also awarded the 2008 Hutch Award, which is given to the Major League player who "exemplifies Hutchinson's fighting spirit and competitive enthusiasm."

Lester decided to a five-year, $30 million deal extension in 2014 with a $14 million team option.

In his first two starts, the season got off to a slow start, with him allowing 11 runs and losing his first two starts. This was the first time he had lost in a row in regular season starts. In late May, he started pitching well, going 12–3 with a 2.31 ERA in his last 22 starts. Lester was seeking a second no-hitter against the Texas Rangers, the AL West's top-ranked team. Through the first six innings, he pitched 61 perfect innings, knocking out ten batters on 61 pitches. In the seventh inning, Michael Young scored a one-out double to left center field, breaking up the no-hitter, but Lester pitched a complete game, throwing out a total of 11 batters in two starts (he had a career-best 12 strikeouts in his first two starts). Lester struck out ten batters for the sixth time in the 2009 season, the most by a Red Sox left-handed pitcher. He had never done it before the season. Lester began playing in 2009 and ended up 15-08 with a 3.41 ERA.

Lester started Game 1 of the 2009 ALDS against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, but the Red Sox lost the game 5–0 and would eventually be swept in the series.

Lester earned his first appearance in April and then won five of the six games he started in May. Lester was voted the American League Pitcher of the Month by an ERA of 1.84 and 45 strikeouts, and he was named the American League Pitcher of the Month for the third time.

Against the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 16, he won his 50th match in his career. On July 1, Lester was drafted to the American League All-Star team, marking his first selection. He was 11-3 with a 2.78 ERA and 124 strikeouts at the time of the break. He pitched the sixth inning for the AL, which allowed no base runners.

Lester led a perfect game against the Seattle Mariners in the sixth inning but lost the game in the inning due to an error by Eric Patterson. Michael Saunders' home broke up the no-hit bid, and the Red Sox eventually lost the game. The loss was the second in a row Lester suffered after the All-Star break. Despite being sick against the Rangers, he would eventually turn it around by throwing six shutout innings against the Yankees and then eight shutout innings. Lester finished the season strong and made an excellent pickoff run, but they fell just short of 20 wins.

Lester finished the season T-4th in victories (19) and in fourth place in strikeouts (225) in the Majors (AL and NL combined) in 2010. In an above-average year for pitchers, he finished 25th in the Major Leagues with a 3.25 ERA. In the 2010 AL Cy Young Award nominations, Lester came in fourth place.

Lester was the Red Sox's first day starter against Texas in 2011. He had a good season, leading Boston's rotation in wins for the second year in a row and strikeouts for the third year in a row. He was named to the American League All-Star team, replacing Félix Hernández, but he didn't pitch due to a lat injury.

Lester continued to struggle with the rest of the team, losing his last three decisions, including giving up eight runs against the New York Yankees, starting with eight runs. He pitched six innings against the Baltimore Orioles, pitching six innings and giving up only two runs. The bullpen was unable to hold the lead, and the Red Sox were eliminated. Lester ended the season on a 3.41 ERA. He was in the top 20 in strikeouts (11th), victories (10th) and ERA (17th).

Lester, Josh Beckett, and John Lackey were all at the center of a controversy over players consuming alcohol during games during 2011 season. Many people believed that this was one of the reasons why the Red Sox went 7-20 in September and were suspended on the last day of the season. Lester later admitted that he and his coworkers occasionally drank during off-days.

Lester was also the Red Sox's first day starter in 2012. Lester had a rough start to the season, a 9–14 record, a subpar 4.82 ERA, and a.273 batting average against.

Lester threw a complete game one-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 10, 2013, facing just 28 batters.

In Boston's first return to the postseason since 2009, Lester was named starting pitcher for Game 1 of the 2013 ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays on October 3, 2013. Lester pitched 7+2/3 innings with three walks and striking out seven out of seven, and the Red Sox defeated 12–2 (and later went on to win the series 3–1). Josh Beckett's Red Sox postseason record of striking out the first four batters was also tied for the game. Lester began Game 1 of the 2013 ALCS against the Detroit Tigers on October 12, 2013. He pitched 6+13 innings with four strikeouts and allowed one run, but the Tigers' pitching staff put together a one-hit game led by starter Anbal Sánchez put them out of place. Lester again faced Sanchez in Game 5 at Comerica Park on October 17, 2013. In the fifth inning, Lester pitched five innings and demonstrated exceptional defensive ability, knocking out former teammates Jose Iglesias with a glove flip to first base on a bunt attempt.

Lester was selected to start Game 1 of the 2013 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals following the Red Sox's victory in the ALCS. Lester was able to beat St. Louis starter Adam Wainwright 8–1. Lester went on to win Game 5 again over Wainwright, putting the Red Sox up by a series lead of 3–2. In six games, the Red Sox dominated the series.

Lester pitched eight one-hit innings against the Oakland Athletics on May 3, 2014, where he had a career-high 15 strikeouts. It was the most by a Red Sox pitcher since Josh Beckett in 2010.

After a 2.73 ERA in his first 18 starts of the season, he was selected to his third All-Star Game in July 2014.

Lester and Jonny Gomes were traded to the Oakland Athletics for Yoenis Céspedes and a competitive round 2015 draft pick. Lester, along with former teammates Jed Lowrie, Coco Crisp, Brandon Moss, and Josh Reddick were reunited following the change. On August 2, he made his debut against the Kansas City Royals in his debut. When pitching for the A's, he had a 6–4 record and a 2.35 ERA.

In the Wild Card game against the Kansas City Royals, Lester was the starting pitcher for the A's. With the Athletics leading 7-4, he left the game after pitching 7+1/3 innings. Lester, on the other hand, was denied a no decision as the bullpen blew the lead, and the Royals made a dramatic comeback to win the game in 12 innings.

Lester set a 16–11 record with a 2.46 ERA and finished third in the AL Cy Young polls, finishing fourth.

Lester decided to a six-year, $155 million contract with the Chicago Cubs in December 2014, with a vesting option for a seventh year at $15 million.

During opening night against the St. Louis Cardinals, Lester made his first appearance for the Cubs. As the Cubs were shut down by the Cardinals 3–0, he pitched 4.1 innings allowing 3 runs. He ended the month of April with a record of 0–2 and a ERA of 6.23 in 21.2 innings pitched, with 24 strikeouts and five base-on balls.

Lester, a Washington Nationals matchup, hit a fly ball to deep center field on May 27, 2015. Span almost escaped Denard Span. Span ended the inning by throwing the fly ball into the ground, bringing Lester to a new low of 58 to start his career. Lester made his first major league hit against John Lackey of the St. Louis Cardinals on July 6, 2015, after starting his career 0-for-66 as a hitter.

In his first year with the Chicago Cubs, Lester had an 11-13 record, logging 205 innings with an ERA of 3.34. With 44 bases allowed, he led the major leagues in stolen bases.

In Game 1 of the NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals on October 9, he was the losing pitcher. He suffered another loss in Game 1 of the NLCS against the New York Mets on October 17, making it his second game loss.

Lester came off the bench in the 12th inning and laid a bunt down to score the winning run against the Seattle Mariners on July 31, 2016. Lester capped off the Cubs' comeback by a 6–0 deficit in the third inning on a 2–2 pitch with one out and Jason Heyward on 3rd.

Lester finished second in the Netherlands in 2016 with 19 victories, matching his career high. He was also the second in ERA (2.44). He led all major league pitchers in left on base percentage, leaving 84.9% of base runners dead.

Lester started Game 1 of the 2016 NLDS against the San Francisco Giants. After losing eight scoreless innings, he earned the victory. In four games, the Cubs will advance to win the series.

Lester started Game 1 of the 2016 National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, pitching six innings and allowing just one run and allowing just one run and leaving the contest deadlocked. He appeared in Game 5 of the series and pitched seven innings of one run ball, his third victory of the season. In six games, the Cubs will continue to win the series. Lester and Javier Báez were co-MVP of the 2016 NLCS alongside Javier Báez. Lester's appearance boosted the Cubs to the World Series for the first time since 1945.

Lester was named the Game 1 starter of the 2016 World Series against the Cleveland Indians, where he lost after throwing 5.2 innings and allowing three runs. Lester started Game 5 by only allowing two runs in six innings, resulting in a 3–2 Cubs victory and extending the series's run. Lester pitched in relief in Game 7, which the Cubs won their first championship in 108 years, winning their first championship in 108 years.

Lester's 2,000th strikeout on record and first home run on August 1, as well as his first return to action. Lester was put on the 10-day disabled list on August 18, due to left shoulder exhaustion.

Lester was named as the Cubs' Opening Day starter during spring training. In an 11–10 victory over the Minnesota Twins on July 1, 2018, Lester hit his second home run, a three-run shot off Lance Lynn.

Lester, who had an 11-two record and a 2.25 ERA, was selected to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game, but he was unable to attend and was dismissed by Zack Greinke due to the fact that he had pitched on Sunday before the game. He was 18-06 with a 3.32 ERA in the season.

Lester was named as the Opening Day starter for the third year in a row and the eighth time in his career. In a 12–4 Cubs victory over the Texas Rangers, he earned the win. After giving up a career high 11 runs in a 11-4 loss to the Oakland Athletics on August 6, 2019, he branded himself the "weakest link" in the Cubs rotation.

Lester had his worst season as a Cubs fan in 2020, posting a 3–3 record and 5.16 ERA with 42 strikeouts in 61.0 innings pitched. He became a free agent after the season.

Lester's twentieth-year, $5 million deal with the Washington Nationals came to an end on January 27, 2021. He was the first player to wear 34 on the team after Bryce Harper left in 2019.

Lester was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Lane Thomas on July 30, 2021. He won his 200th match against the Milwaukee Brewers on September 20, 2021, making him one of only three active pitchers (at that time) to reach that record. Lester made 12 appearances for St. Louis, going 4–1 with a 4.36 ERA and 40 strikeouts. Following the season, Lester became a free agent.

Lester resigned on January 12, 2022, the 2022 world's largest and oldest actor.

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