Tributes pour in from fans and ex-teammates after Jon Lester retires
On Wednesday morning, potential Hall of Famer Jon Lester officially announced his retirement from baseball.
We’ve seen the last of starting pitcher Jon Lester in the bigs. After 16 memorable seasons in the majors, Lester announced on Wednesday that he’s officially hanging up his cleats. The man was a fan favorite from start to finish throughout his career.
A five-time All-Star selection, Lester is best known for his days with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. As you might have been able to guess, fans have been showering him with love all over social media following his retirement.
NEWS at ESPN: 3-time World Series champion Jon Lester is retiring. I spoke with him and others in his orbit.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) January 12, 2022
Dustin Pedroia: “Anytime he had the ball in a big game, you were going in for an 80-minute massage. You were in good hands.”
Story here: https://t.co/4gQlF56G6g
Jon Lester World Series memories among tributes from fans and ex-teammates
Lester won three World Series during his head-turning career, capturing the glory twice with the Red Sox and then once with the Cubs. He also recorded a 200-117 record, with a 3.66 ERA.
You can argue all day about whether Jon Lester belongs in the Hall of Fame — he does, for the record — but you can’t argue about whether his and Kerry Wood’s No. 34 should be retired because it absolutely should.
— Matt Lindner (@mattlindner) January 12, 2022
Jon Lester played half a season for the Cardinals and was like “I’d rather not play baseball again than be back with that team.” Respect.
— Funky Cold Luda (Taylor’s Version) (@lcm1986) January 12, 2022
Jon Lester announces that after 16 seasons, he’s retiring from the great game of Baseball. Congratulations on an amazing battle, 3 World Series rings and many more awards! pic.twitter.com/v8yJFVe7dj
— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) January 12, 2022
May 3rd of 2014, Jon Lester strikes out 15 Oakland A’s hitters for a new Career high. #RedSoxLegend pic.twitter.com/cmCvjul87B
— Boston Strong (@BostonStrong_34) January 12, 2022
Jon Lester deserved to retire as a Chicago Cub. #ThankYouJon pic.twitter.com/pQXrnY3GxX
— Cubs Zone ™️ (@CubsZone) January 12, 2022
Red Sox legend Jon Lester has announced his retirement after 16 years in MLB. Three World Series Championships, 200 W’s, and this gem of an outing in 2008. What a career. pic.twitter.com/MJTtLNacBz
— Section 10 Podcast (@Section10Pod) January 12, 2022
Congratulations to Jon Lester on one hell of a career. 16 seasons, 3 championships, 5x All-Star, 200 wins. Thank you for not only everything you’ve done/brought to the Cubs but for baseball as well. True definition of a grinder. Enjoy retirement @JLester34. pic.twitter.com/KJLoKbGuch
— Cubs Zone ™️ (@CubsZone) January 12, 2022
Jon Lester is retiring after 16 amazing years as a pitcher
— Baseball Bros (@BaseballBros) January 12, 2022
200 Wins
Pitched a no-hitter on May 19, 2008
5x All-Star
2016 NLCS MVP
3x World Series Champion
The greatest free-agent signing in Cubs history pic.twitter.com/uPZQATk9VD
thank you, jon lester. build the statue outside the federal landmark
— DOM (@DOM_Frederic) January 12, 2022
Jon Lester beat Cancer, tossed a no hitter with the Red Sox, won 200 games, 3 World Series, and bought 50,000 dollars worth of beer for Cubs fans. Nobody has a resume like that.https://t.co/bze8zL5K0W
— Adam Pellerin (@adampellerin) January 12, 2022
In addition to the Cubbies and Red Sox, Lester also suited up for the Athletics, Nationals and Cardinals. With that said, folks all over Boston and Chicago will never forget the incredible impact he made on both cities.
After leaving Chicago, Lester even went on to thank all of his fans by dropping around $50,000 on beer for folks across the city. That’s a thing of legends right there and people were ecstatic about that generosity.
Now that he’s retired, Lester himself will never have to pay for a beer in Chicago or Boston ever again. Lester can get ready for the next chapter of his life and down the road we’ll surely be having a conversation about an upcoming Hall of Fame speech from him. If you ask us, the lefty no question belongs in Cooperstown once he’s eligible.
Next. Jon Lester’s 200th win is depressing irony for Cubs. dark