Keller @ Large: Not Steamed Over Prospect Of Losing Lester
BOSTON (CBS) - As you know if you're a regular here, I am a Boston sports fan, big-time, one of many character flaws, but one I make no apology for. And part of being a Boston sports fan is being passionate and opinionated about the players on my teams, for better or worse.
But I just can't seem to work up a head of steam over the prospect of Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester being traded.
This is in no way a commentary on Lester's performance here, which has been mostly outstanding.
He's been a model citizen off the field, with the minor exception of his involvement in the chicken-and-beer fiasco a couple of years ago. And the story of his victory over cancer at the start of his career is downright inspirational.
No, I've got nothing against Jon Lester.
I've just come to understand that with very rare exceptions, these athletes are here to make money, as much as they can in their relatively short careers.
There is nothing wrong with this, and while money isn't everything in life, they'd be crazy not to prioritize grabbing for as much as they can while they're healthy and young.
If Lester leaves because the Red Sox decide they can't afford his exorbitant market value, why should I care? I wish he'd stay, but we'll get someone else for me to pull for.
I certainly won't boo him when he returns to Fenway. Why would anyone boo someone for doing what they would do if the roles were reversed?
Now, if Lester were to leave because he hated Boston for some bizarre reason, or preferred to live in some wretched city in the lower 49, that might be a problem.
But just leaving for money? No problem.
Yet another reason to call baseball the national pastime.
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