Jon Lester, Retired


Date of Birth: 1/7/1984
Birthplace: Tacoma, Washington

Jon Lester, retired starting pitcher, was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2002. He pitched in the minor leagues from 2002 through most of 2007, finishing his minor league career with a 3.33 ERA and a 32-31 win-loss record. In 2006, he was diagnosed with cancer and successfully treated. That season, he pitched in 15 games for the Red Sox, finishing the season with a 7-2 record and a 4.76 ERA. In 2007, he pitched in 12 games for Boston.

Lester had a strong 2008 season with the Red Sox. He pitched 210.1 innings and had a 16-6 record with a career low ERA of 3.21. On May 19, 2008, he pitched a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals.

In March, 2009, Lester signed a five-year, $30 million contract extension that included a sixth year (2014), $14 million club option. That season, he had a career high 225 strikeouts (to 64 walks) with a 3.41 ERA and a 15-8 record. The next season, he had career highs in wins with 19 and strikeouts with 225. In 2013, Lester pitched 213.1 innings and he had a 3.75 ERA with a 15-8 record.

On July 31, 2014, Lester was traded to the Oakland Athletics. He finished the 2014 season with a career high 219.2 innings pitched, a 16-11 record, 220 strikeouts to 48 walks, and a career low ERA of 2.46 in 21 games with the Red Sox and 11 games with the Athletics.

Lester signed a six-year, $155 million contract with the Chicago Cubs in December, 2014. He finished the 2015 season with an 11-12 record, 207 strikeouts to 47 walks, and a 3.34 ERA in 205.0 innings in 32 games. He pitched 14.0 innings in 2 postseason games and he gave up 13 hits, including 3 home runs, and 7 runs. He had 14 strikeouts and 2 walks.

Lester had a strong second season with the Cubs in 2016, finishing the season with a career low ERA of 2.44. He had a career high 19 wins (to 5 losses) and 197 strikeouts to 52 walks in 202.2 innings in 32 games. He also pitched well in the postseason, earning a 2.02 ERA in 35.2 innings in 6 games. He gave up 27 hits and 9 runs.

Lester had a 4.33 ERA in 32 games with the Cubs in 2017. He finished the season with 13 wins and 8 losses and 180 strikeouts to 60 walks in 180.2 innings. In the postseason, he pitched 14.1 innings in 3 games and he gave up 6 hits, including a home run, and 3 runs.

Lester finished the 2018 season with 18 wins and 6 losses, 149 strikeouts to 64 walks, and a 3.32 ERA in 181.2 innings in 32 games. In the postseason, he pitched 6.0 innings in 1 game and he gave up 4 hits and 1 run. He had a 1.50 ERA. He struck out 9 batters and walked one.

Lester spent time on the DL in 2019 with a left hamstring strain. He finished the season with 13 wins and 10 losses, 165 strikeouts to 52 walks, and a 4.46 ERA in 171.2 innings in 31 games.

Lester pitched in 12 games in 2020. He finished the season with 3 wins and 3 losses, 42 strikeouts to 17 walks, and a 5.16 ERA in 61.0 innings. He didn't pitch in the postseason.

Lester became a free agent on October 30, 2020. He signed with the Washington Nationals on January 27, 2021. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on July 30, 2021. He pitched in just 12 games in 2021. He finished the season with 4 wins and 1 loss, 40 strikeouts to 26 walks, and a 4.36 ERA in 66.0 innings. He didn't pitch in the postseason.

Lester became a free agent on November 3, 2021. He retired on January 12, 2022.

Statistics for Lester in eleven full seasons (2008-2019) in the major leagues include:

  • 12 seasons with over 30 games, with a high of 33 in 2008, 2012, 2013
  • 8 seasons with over 200 innings pitched, with a high of 219.2 in 2014
  • 11 seasons with over 150 strikeouts, with a high of 225 in 2009 and 2010

Career pitching statistics for Lester through 2021 include:

  • 452 games played
  • 2,740.0 innings pitched
  • 200-117 win-loss record
  • 2,488 strikeouts to 892 walks
  • 3.66 ERA

Charitable Work

Lester has a charity wine, CabernAce. Proceeds from the wine go to the Hutchison Cancer Research Center. More information can be found at charitywines.com.

Personal Life

In 2006, Lester was diagnosed with and successfully treated for cancer.

Lester married his wife Farrah in January, 2009. They have two children.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Jon Lester
ESPN - Jon Lester