John Lackey is a former professional baseball pitcher who played for several teams during his career. He was born on October 23, 1978, in Abilene, Texas, and attended Grayson County College before being drafted by the Anaheim Angels in the second round of the 1999 MLB draft.
Lackey made his major league debut in 2002 and quickly established himself as a reliable starter for the Angels. He helped lead the team to a World Series championship in 2002, earning a win in Game 7 of the series against the San Francisco Giants. Lackey continued to pitch well for the Angels over the next several seasons, earning an All-Star selection in 2007 and finishing third in the Cy Young Award voting that year.
In 2010, Lackey signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Boston Red Sox. He struggled in his first season with the team, posting a 6.41 ERA and a 14-11 record. However, he rebounded in 2011, helping the Red Sox win the American League Wild Card and earning a win in Game 1 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees.
Lackey missed the entire 2012 season due to Tommy John surgery but returned to the Red Sox in 2013. He played a key role in the team's World Series championship that year, winning Game 6 of the series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Lackey continued to pitch well for the Red Sox in 2014, earning an All-Star selection and finishing with a 3.60 ERA.
In 2015, Lackey signed a two-year, $32 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. He pitched well for the team over the next two seasons, helping them win the World Series in 2016. Lackey announced his retirement from baseball in November 2017, finishing his career with a 188-147 record, a 3.92 ERA, and 2,294 strikeouts.
Throughout his career, Lackey was known for his competitiveness and his ability to pitch in big games. He was also known for his fiery personality and his willingness to speak his mind, often getting into arguments with umpires and opposing players. Despite this, he was widely respected by his teammates and opponents alike for his work ethic and his dedication to the game.
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