Posted by
Conservative Wordsmith on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 4:20:00 PM
Conservative Wordsmith Susan Baldwin writes: Jon Lester, a 24-year-old pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, is a young American baseball hero deserving of every baseball fan's cheers and admiration. There are miracles all around us, if only we would take the time to look for them.
Jon Lester
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| Boston Red Sox — No. 31 |
1
One would think that it is miraculous enough that Jon Lester is even pitching for the Boston Red Sox for the following two reasons:
1. "Lester wasn't even supposed to have been on Boston's postseason roster. He only got the call because Tim Wakefield, Boston's veteran knuckleballer, had an ailing shoulder. Still, he never got to bask in the full, deserved glory of the evening, as it was diminished by Scott Boras, who alerted the media in the middle of the game that Alex Rodriguez was opting out of his contract." 2
2. "In fact, it is something of a wonder that Lester, 24, is still in a Boston uniform. He was part of a proposed deal for Johan Santana this past off-season. Some years ago, as a minor-league prospect, he was offered as part of a package for Alex Rodriguez." 2
So there are several winners in this situation: Jon Lester, the Boston Red Sox, baseball fans, and baseball historians.
" . . . Jon Lester of the Boston Red Sox had pitched a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals. The last time Jon Lester drew national notice was late last October, in the fourth and clinching game of the World Series. He threw five-and-two-thirds innings, allowing three hits, three walks and no runs, earned or otherwise. Of Lester's performance, the aging ace Curt Schilling concluded: "All things considered, the most clutch game I've ever seen." 2
"Between the Red Sox sweep and Boras' bulletin, Lester didn't get his due. But Monday night, he more than made up for that. The Royals, with a better team batting average than the Yankees and the Tigers and the Mets, are not quite the easy mark they have been for so many years. Still, they weren't a match for Lester, who had command of his entire arsenal, everything from a 78-mph curve to a 96-mph fastball that Alberto Callaspo could only flail at for the final out. Lester's first complete game in the majors just happened to be a no-hitter." 2
"'Something I'll remember forever,' he said." 2
Then there is Jon Lester's very real medical diagnosis, and equally miraculous recovery, from anaplastic large cell lymphoma cancer.
"More improbable, however, is his comeback from anaplastic large cell lymphoma. It was diagnosed toward the end of his rookie season, in September, 2006. Lester had thought the pain in his back was the result of his being rear-ended in traffic in Boston. The doctors told him it was cancer." 2
"'It couldn't happen to a better kid,' said Red Sox manager, Terry Francona." 2
Perhaps this true story might give some God doubters out there a few more reasons to believe that God does indeed exist. By the way, does God love baseball? The Conservative Wordsmith doesn't have the answer to this one, but it's a good question, nevertheless.
1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Lester
2 On the Mark: Lester is the most pleasant of surprises
by Mark Kriegel
Related Links
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7790
The Official Site of The BostonRedSox: Homepage
http://www.lymphomainfo.net/nhl/types/alcl.html
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Conservative Wordsmith Susan Baldwin, author of the Conservative Wordsmith Weblog, appreciates your thoughts and comments