Red Sox Teammates Sad To See Lester Go
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Red Sox said goodbye to Jon Lester on Thursday, sending their lefty ace to Oakland ahead of MLB's trade deadline.
Lester was fan favorite in Boston and beloved in the Red Sox' clubhouse. He was a big-game pitcher and the team knew they could count on him to take the ball every five days, and more times than not, he delivered. Lester won a pair of World Series titles in his nine years in Boston, posting an incredible 2.11 ERA in 13 postseason appearances. His ERA dips to 0.43 to go with a 3-0 record in World Series games.
Read: Red Sox Trade Lester, Gomes To Oakland For Cespedes
But Lester, along with Jonny Gomes, will try to help the Oakland Athletics for the rest of the 2014 season. Their now-former teammates were sad to see them go on Thursday.
"It's sad to see those guys leave," outfielder Daniel Nava said at his baseball camp in Melrose. "They've been a big part of our success that last year and a half, and you wish them the best because they're like family."
Red Sox DH David Ortiz expressed his feelings on Twitter, wishing Lester the best with his new team but letting him know that "Large Father" would miss him.
Wishing my man Jon Lester all the best, Red Sox Nation and the Large Father will miss you! pic.twitter.com/7uWpXw8XnH
— David Ortiz (@davidortiz) July 31, 2014
In one interested turn in the Twitterverse, ESPN's Bill Simmons sent out the following Tweet:
Good luck in Oakland for 3 months, @jlester31 - thanks for 2007 + 2013, was fun watching you grow into an ace. See you on the 2015 Sox.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) July 31, 2014
Thousands have favorited the Tweet, including one Jon Lester.
The lefty has said they he would be open to re-signing with the Red Sox even if he was traded, so we'll see how things go this offseason.
Lester Tweeted about his excitement to join the Athletics, who own a 2.5 game lead over the Angels in the AL West.
Thanks y'all cant tell you how much your support means to me and my family! Excited to contribute to a very talented @Athletics team! #NVRQT
— Jon Lester (@JLester34) July 31, 2014
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