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Boston Red Sox starter Jon Lester pumps
his arms after throwing a no-hitter
against the Kansas City Royals (AP).
his arms after throwing a no-hitter
against the Kansas City Royals (AP).
Cancer Survivor Jon Lester Pitches No-Hitter
by
findingDulcinea Staff
Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester threw the first no-hitter of 2008, and the 257th in history. Lester survived a bout with lymphoma in 2006.
30-Second Summary
After surviving a cancer scare in 2006, Boston Red Sox southpaw Jon Lester became the 18th pitcher in the franchise's history to pitch a no-hitter.
The 24-year-old blanked the Kansas City Royals for the first no-hitter since Clay Bucholz, also a Red Sox pitcher, threw one last September.
"I've been through a lot the last couple of years," Lester told the Associated Press. "It was just a special moment right there."
When he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the fall of 2006, Lester was forced to sit the remainder of the season. However, after enduring chemotherapy sessions and rehabilitation, he was able to return to the team and earned the final victory in Boston's 2007 World Series sweep of the Colorado Rockies.
The 24-year-old blanked the Kansas City Royals for the first no-hitter since Clay Bucholz, also a Red Sox pitcher, threw one last September.
"I've been through a lot the last couple of years," Lester told the Associated Press. "It was just a special moment right there."
When he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the fall of 2006, Lester was forced to sit the remainder of the season. However, after enduring chemotherapy sessions and rehabilitation, he was able to return to the team and earned the final victory in Boston's 2007 World Series sweep of the Colorado Rockies.
Headline Link: 'Lester completes no-hit feat'
On May 19, 2008, Jon Lester pitched a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals. He walked just two batters in a 7-0 Red Sox win. It was the 18th no-hitter in Red Sox history and the 257th in MLB history.
Source: Boston Red Sox Official Web Site
Gordon Edes of the Boston Globe writes, "immortality takes on a different meaning for someone who has lived through cancer." The Royals had three times previously broken up no-hit bids in the 9th inning. But Lester threw a 96 mile per hour fastball by Alberto Callaspo to become the first pitcher to no-hit the Royals since Nolan Ryan on May 15, 1973, the first of Ryan's record seven no-hitters.
Source: Boston Globe
Reference Material
The Red Sox' official site contains carer statistics and biographical information about Jon Lester.
Source: Boston Red Sox Official Web Site
Lester is known not only for his pitching skills but also for his cancer diagnosis; a rare form of lymphoma. Boston.com was at the helm to announce Lester’s diagnosis—anaplastic large cell lymphoma—in the fall of 2006, during his rookie season in the majors. Most apparent was Lester’s courageous and optimistic approach to this treatable form of cancer. Soon after, four female Sox fans in the Boston area were inspired to share Lester’s attitude with the Jimmy Fund, a charity for juvenile cancer patients.
Source: Boston.com
In another article on the Boston site, Lester discusses lefty tactics and what gives him such an advantage over the other team: Although Lester grew up as a righty, doing most normal tasks with his right hand, he couldn’t throw with his right. But a chance attempt to pitch with his left worked wonders.
Source: Boston.com
In a November 2007 profile after Lester helped the Red Sox win the 2007 World Series, FindingDulcinea discussed additional aspects of the remarkable impact that Lester has had on both cancer patients and Red Sox' fans.
Source: FindingDulcinea
MLB.com lists all of the no-hitters ever in the Major Leagues. Nolan Ryan's seven no-hitters top the list, followed by Sandy Koufax's four.
Source: Major League Baseball
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