Also, a no-hitter, three rings, 2.51 postseason ERA and 5 All-Star appearances.Lester is one of only nine modern left-handers with 200 wins, a .600 winning percentage and a career ERA under 4.00. Six of the other eight are in the Hall of Fame, while one, CC Sabathia, isn't eligible yet.
It's an interesting discussion. But, consider:Wrote this on another thread. But does he have a chance at the Hall? From that article:
Also, a no-hitter, three rings, 2.51 postseason ERA and 5 All-Star appearances.
Player A does have a PED ding on his record which could explain his ballot results so far. That said, Lester is an interesting case but one that I think falls short.It's an interesting discussion. But, consider:
Player A: 256-153, 3.85 ERA, 3316 IP, 3.74 FIP, 117 ERA+, 6.6 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, 1.351 WHIP, 60.7 bWAR, 68.2 fWAR
Player B: 200-117, 3.66 ERA, 2740 IP, 3.78 FIP, 117 ERA+, 8.2 K/9, 2.9 BB/9, 1.278 WHIP, 44.3 bWAR, 46.2 fWAR
Player A: Andy Pettite. So far, has reached 9.9% and 13.7% of ballot despite 5 World Series rings.
Player B: Jon Lester
Doubtful he is, since he's already announcing it. I suppose with the lockout, doing a sign and retire with any team is impossible at the moment, but it's not like his retirement couldn't keep until the lockout is over.Sign him to a one day deal and let him retire a Red Sox, if he's so inclined
It does because the lockout means teams and players aren't communicating/negotiating at all. Unless Lester is going to sign a minor league deal in order to retire as a Red Sox (since minor leaguers aren't locked out), it won't be done.Does the lockout really prevent such a ceremonial thing? Aren't those one-day deals basically just paid appearances? Not like anyone ever actually plays on that one day.
The PED was my initial thought as well. The way I look at it is if is MY initial thought it also has to be on the minds of the voters.Player A does have a PED ding on his record which could explain his ballot results so far. That said, Lester is an interesting case but one that I think falls short.
He had a few gems against the Yankees, too, including this beast of a game. Talk about cruising: https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA200807030.shtmlThank you for everything, Lester. The game that I remember the most, apart from the playoff games, was his absolute gem on May 3rd, 2014 against Oakland when he pitched 8 ip of 1h ball to the tune of 15 strikeouts. He was unbelievable that day.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS201405030.shtml
Wow, that's remarkableRed Sox: 110-63 (.636), 3.64 era
Cubs: 77-44 (.636), 3.64 era
Model of consistency!!!Red Sox: 110-63 (.636), 3.64 era
Cubs: 77-44 (.636), 3.64 era
That's really amazing and cool. Stretching it out further...Red Sox: 110-63 (.636), 3.64 era
Cubs: 77-44 (.636), 3.64 era
Pitched into the 8th in three of his five starts that postseason, pretty huge stuff right there.He had a lousy first half of 2013, but man he was great in the second half and then the playoffs:
April-June: 4.61 ERA, .743 OPS against
July-Sept: 2.89 ERA, .663 OPS against
Playoffs: 1.56 ERA, .560 OPS against
His playoff run that year:
5G, 4-1, 34.2 IP (would be unheard of in 2021), 25 H, 29:8 K:BB, 2 HBP, 1.56 ERA, 1.01 WHIP
Yeah agreed.Who cares about HOF? He battled cancer and pitched for 16 years in the big leagues. He will always be a winner to me. Enjoy your retirement, Big Guy.
Clear evidence that his best years weren't behind him when we traded him that July. I went to his last game at Fenway... when he walked off at the end of the top of the 7th, a shutout going IIRC, we knew we had seen his last start at home.Red Sox: 110-63 (.636), 3.64 era
Cubs: 77-44 (.636), 3.64 era
Thank you for everything, Lester. The game that I remember the most, apart from the playoff games, was his absolute gem on May 3rd, 2014 against Oakland when he pitched 8 ip of 1h ball to the tune of 15 strikeouts. He was unbelievable that day.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS201405030.shtml
He threw his no-hitter on the day (no joke) that the doctors I was seeing on my base in Kuwait diagnosed me with a mass that was taking up about 60% of my right kidney. They didn't biopsy it, that day, but told me it was likely cancer and they were getting me a flight out to Germany to have my kidney removed. I turned out to be not cancer (thankfully, I guess, but it was MRSA and I almost died on the operating table when my kidney disintegrated from the infection), but it was pretty incredible that a guy, who was already one of my favorite players in the league, happened to throw a no-hitter on that particular day.When I saw the thread re. the Red Sox player you cared for, Jon Lester was the first that came to my mind. We share the fortunate designation of cancer survivor and i know that his bull dogged stubbornness in competition stems in great part from that. He has been an inspiration in my life and for that I am thankful. Wishing him nothing but enjoyment, peace and continued good health.
Don't see what's wrong with discussing his candidacy. It's an honor that he's in the discussion, and it takes nothing away from the fact that he survived cancer or pitched for a long time in the majors. Everyone here loves him.Who cares about HOF? He battled cancer and pitched for 16 years in the big leagues. He will always be a winner to me. Enjoy your retirement, Big Guy.
Pierce played a vast majority of his career in BostonDoes he remain one of ours--a la Paul Pierce? Or do the Cubs now have a legitimate claim to his legacy--a la Fisk? I know the players no longer get to decide, but if he did make the Hall, which cap would he want to wear?
Is the bolded true? I know Larry lowballed him supposedly, but after trading him to Oakland the Red Sox were in active negotiations that offseason IIRC to re-sign him, and he just chose the Cubs thinking he might enjoy the challenge and fresh start.That said, I don't expect there's any desire at all on Lester's part to do it anyway. He played as many seasons out of Boston as he did in Boston, and they didn't exactly part on the best of terms.