Jon Lester is a left-handed pitcher who has had a successful career in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on January 7, 1984, in Tacoma, Washington, and grew up in Puyallup. Lester was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the second round of the 2002 MLB draft and made his debut with the team in 2006.
Lester quickly established himself as a reliable starter for the Red Sox, helping the team win the World Series in 2007 and 2013. He was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2007 American League Championship Series after pitching 14 innings without allowing a run. In the 2013 World Series, Lester won two games and had a 0.59 earned run average (ERA) in 15.1 innings pitched.
In 2014, Lester was traded to the Oakland Athletics mid-season and then signed with the Chicago Cubs as a free agent in the offseason. He helped the Cubs win the World Series in 2016, pitching in three games and earning a win in Game 5. Lester was also named the co-MVP of the National League Championship Series that year.
Throughout his career, Lester has been known for his ability to pitch in big games and his durability. He has pitched over 200 innings in a season six times and has a career ERA of 3.60. Lester has also been named to five All-Star teams and has won the Gold Glove award four times for his fielding.
Off the field, Lester has been an advocate for cancer research and awareness. He was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2006 and underwent treatment, returning to the Red Sox later that season. Lester has since started the NVRQT campaign, which raises money for pediatric cancer research.
In 2021, Lester signed a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals. He has continued to pitch at a high level, despite being in the later stages of his career. As of August 2021, Lester has a 4.81 ERA and a 3-5 record with the Nationals.
Overall, Jon Lester has had a successful career in MLB, winning three World Series championships and establishing himself as one of the game's top left-handed pitchers. He has also been a role model off the field, using his platform to raise awareness for cancer research and support those affected by the disease.
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