Jon Lester hurls a no-hitter

Zen653 · 05-19-2008, 11:23 PM

Jon Lester of the Boston Red Sox pitched a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals tonight. He threw 130 pitches, struck out 9, and walked 2. Jacoby Ellsbury made a sensational diving catch in the 2nd inning to prevent extra bases. Other than that, no outstanding defensive plays were required to preserve the no-no.

Offensively, the Red Sox won the game 7-0, in part thanks to a costly 2-out, 2-run error by Mark Grudzilanek. The one-time All-Star and Gold Glove second baseman dropped an infield pop-up. Kevin Youkilis then tacked on a third run when he drove Manny Ramirez in from third base.

While any no-hitter is special and worthy of discussion, the Lester no-hitter holds a special significance because of what the Washington native endured to get to this point. Less than two years ago, he underwent chemotherapy to fight off life-threatening cancer. No one knew for sure whether he'd live a quality life, let alone recover to play professional baseball.

The road to recovery was arduous. Lester did not re-join the Red Sox for good until last August. Pitching-wise, there were some highs and lows, but mostly lows. His poor K/BB ratio compelled the Red Sox to relegate him to bullpen duty for the playoffs. An injury to Tim Wakefield opened up an opportunity for Lester, and he seized it by becoming the winning pitcher in the championship-clinching Game 4 of the 2007 World Series.

Now he can add a no-hitter to his resume.

Congratulations to Jon Lester, a truly inspirational story.

bedir than average · 05-19-2008, 11:26 PM

There was a time when I thought that they would just give him up due to the severity of his illness.

That's dang special.

Zen653 · 05-19-2008, 11:35 PM

Bedir, if you get a chance to watch a rebroadcast of this game, I highly recommend it. While you usually have to be very good to get a no-hitter, some no-hitters are less impressive than others (A.J Burnett's 9 walk no-no comes to mind, as well as Hideo Nomo's sloppy no-hitter in 2001.) But this was one was a real beauty. Lester didn't simply pound the zone with fastballs, he executed his off-speed pitches with precision and purpose. He pitched like a real ace tonight, getting tremendous late movement on the ball. And other than the great Ellsbury catch, Lester didn't need much help from the defense. He had things in control all on his own.

It's also interesting to note that former Seattle farmhand Jason Varitek tied a major league record tonight by catching his fourth career no-hitter (Hideo Nomo, Derek Lowe, Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester.) He was also an out away from a fifth no-hitter when Schilling no-hit the Oakland A's for 8 2/3 innings. In that game, Schilling shook off Varitek's final call and threw a meatball down the plate that Shannon Stewart hit solidly to right.

Terry Francona and J.D Drew should also be congratulated - Francona for doing everything he could to preserve the no-hitter for Lester (subbing Crisp for Ramirez in the outfield, and switching the groundball butcher Lugo for the sure-handed Cora) and Drew for striking out intentionally in the bottom of the 8th to get Lester back out on the mound.

bedir than average · 05-19-2008, 11:40 PM

Do not speak of Varitek

Simp · 05-20-2008, 09:16 AM

I wonder if now the media will share with Lester some of the love they've been showering the drug addict with.

jtur88 · 05-20-2008, 05:55 PM

In 1999, the Cardinals had three players on their roster at one time who had previously been diagnosed with cancer. Eli Marrero, Eric Davis and Scott Radinsky.

Simp · 05-20-2008, 09:25 PM

One of the biggest bits of mass-hypocrisy I witnessed was when Darryl Strawberry was diagnosed with (I think) colon cancer when he was with the Yankees in '98. Here was one of the more controversial, disliked athletes in NY sports, that was suddenly transformed into a heroic, inspirational figure, all because he merely got sick.

jtur88 · 05-21-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simp

One of the biggest bits of mass-hypocrisy I witnessed was when Darryl Strawberry was diagnosed with (I think) colon cancer when he was with the Yankees in '98. Here was one of the more controversial, disliked athletes in NY sports, that was suddenly transformed into a heroic, inspirational figure, all because he merely got sick.

You are absolutely right about that. I'm sick and tired of seing people (in and out of sports) called "heroic" for no other reason than that they did not lie down and die.

05-19-2008, 11:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
Zen653 Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6,365	Jon Lester hurls a no-hitter Jon Lester of the Boston Red Sox pitched a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals tonight. He threw 130 pitches, struck out 9, and walked 2. Jacoby Ellsbury made a sensational diving catch in the 2nd inning to prevent extra bases. Other than that, no outstanding defensive plays were required to preserve the no-no. Offensively, the Red Sox won the game 7-0, in part thanks to a costly 2-out, 2-run error by Mark Grudzilanek. The one-time All-Star and Gold Glove second baseman dropped an infield pop-up. Kevin Youkilis then tacked on a third run when he drove Manny Ramirez in from third base. While any no-hitter is special and worthy of discussion, the Lester no-hitter holds a special significance because of what the Washington native endured to get to this point. Less than two years ago, he underwent chemotherapy to fight off life-threatening cancer. No one knew for sure whether he'd live a quality life, let alone recover to play professional baseball. The road to recovery was arduous. Lester did not re-join the Red Sox for good until last August. Pitching-wise, there were some highs and lows, but mostly lows. His poor K/BB ratio compelled the Red Sox to relegate him to bullpen duty for the playoffs. An injury to Tim Wakefield opened up an opportunity for Lester, and he seized it by becoming the winning pitcher in the championship-clinching Game 4 of the 2007 World Series. Now he can add a no-hitter to his resume. Congratulations to Jon Lester, a truly inspirational story. __________________ My teams know how to win: 2001, 2003, 2004 Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots 2004, 2007 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox 2006 Spain: FIBA World Basketball Champions 2006, 2007 Sevilla FC: UEFA Cup Champions 2008 World Champion Boston Celtics 2008 Spain: European Cup Champions

05-19-2008, 11:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
bedir than average Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 8,256	There was a time when I thought that they would just give him up due to the severity of his illness. That's dang special. __________________ US Men's National Team World Cup Qualifying \| Democracy in Sports Meets My First Campaign "You're only so sure you're right because they're so sure you're wrong." Orson Scott Card in Xenocide

05-19-2008, 11:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
Zen653 Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6,365	Bedir, if you get a chance to watch a rebroadcast of this game, I highly recommend it. While you usually have to be very good to get a no-hitter, some no-hitters are less impressive than others (A.J Burnett's 9 walk no-no comes to mind, as well as Hideo Nomo's sloppy no-hitter in 2001.) But this was one was a real beauty. Lester didn't simply pound the zone with fastballs, he executed his off-speed pitches with precision and purpose. He pitched like a real ace tonight, getting tremendous late movement on the ball. And other than the great Ellsbury catch, Lester didn't need much help from the defense. He had things in control all on his own. It's also interesting to note that former Seattle farmhand Jason Varitek tied a major league record tonight by catching his fourth career no-hitter (Hideo Nomo, Derek Lowe, Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester.) He was also an out away from a fifth no-hitter when Schilling no-hit the Oakland A's for 8 2/3 innings. In that game, Schilling shook off Varitek's final call and threw a meatball down the plate that Shannon Stewart hit solidly to right. Terry Francona and J.D Drew should also be congratulated - Francona for doing everything he could to preserve the no-hitter for Lester (subbing Crisp for Ramirez in the outfield, and switching the groundball butcher Lugo for the sure-handed Cora) and Drew for striking out intentionally in the bottom of the 8th to get Lester back out on the mound. __________________ My teams know how to win: 2001, 2003, 2004 Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots 2004, 2007 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox 2006 Spain: FIBA World Basketball Champions 2006, 2007 Sevilla FC: UEFA Cup Champions 2008 World Champion Boston Celtics 2008 Spain: European Cup Champions Last edited by Zen653; 05-19-2008 at 11:38 PM.

05-19-2008, 11:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
bedir than average Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 8,256	Do not speak of Varitek __________________ US Men's National Team World Cup Qualifying \| Democracy in Sports Meets My First Campaign "You're only so sure you're right because they're so sure you're wrong." Orson Scott Card in Xenocide

05-20-2008, 05:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
jtur88 Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 7,099	In 1999, the Cardinals had three players on their roster at one time who had previously been diagnosed with cancer. Eli Marrero, Eric Davis and Scott Radinsky. __________________ ------------------ RE-ELECT McCAIN Last edited by jtur88; 05-20-2008 at 05:58 PM.

05-20-2008, 09:16 AM	#5 (permalink)
Simp Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 361	I wonder if now the media will share with Lester some of the love they've been showering the drug addict with.

05-20-2008, 09:25 PM	#7 (permalink)
Simp Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 361	One of the biggest bits of mass-hypocrisy I witnessed was when Darryl Strawberry was diagnosed with (I think) colon cancer when he was with the Yankees in '98. Here was one of the more controversial, disliked athletes in NY sports, that was suddenly transformed into a heroic, inspirational figure, all because he merely got sick.