Last night, at Fenway Park, was another example why the Boston Red Sox didn't acquire the prize of the past off-season, Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana.
Jon Lester, the 24-year-old left-hander who just 20 months ago was diagnosed with cancer — a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma — and seven months ago earned the win in the World Series clincher in Colorado, was simply too good to let go.
Lester wowed them again last night, pitching a no-hitter in a 7-0 win against the Kansas City Royals. His record is now 3-2.
Other than two baserunners — walks in the second inning and another in the ninth — Lester was perfect. He struck out nine batters, one short of his career high of 10 (his third career start on June 21, 2006 versus the Washington Nationals).
Last night was not an anomaly. Three weeks ago Lester allowed only one hit over eight innings in a 1-0 thriller against the Toronto Blue Jays, besting Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay.
"Jon is just beginning," said Sox catcher Jason Varitek after that Toronto win. "We don't even know how good he can be. I'm just telling you this kid has so much heart. He's a winner."
The Red Sox literally offered the Minnesota Twins carte blanche in their talent-laden farm system to land Santana this past winter.
But Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein, to his credit, wouldn't give them Lester. The Twins waited weeks, eventually saying "no deal." The Red Sox, to their credit, didn't flinch.
Santana ended up going to the New York Mets. where he has a 5-2 record.
On Sept. 1, Clay Buchholz, in only his second start and two weeks after turning 23, threw a no-hitter to beat the Baltimore Orioles (9-0).
That was special.
But this was extra special, considering Lester's struggles on and off the field. Lester spent four months in the minors the first part of last season trying to get the strength to pitch again for the Red Sox.
And then there are those walks, to the tune of one every two innings. It has stunted his growth, having to throw too many pitches, to be a top of the rotation pitcher.
"I think people forget how young he is," said Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell on April 29. "He has the chance to be a very good pitcher. But you have to give it time. And I realize that's not easy here (in Boston)."
But, Lester did made it look easy "here" on a chilly (56 degrees) and windy (23 mph) night.
Most of the 37,746 fans stayed until the end, with everyone standing, realizing something special might be happening with the ho-hum Kansas City Royals in town.
ESPN left its nationally televised game to watch Lester's ninth inning, realizing history was just three outs away.
The game ended with Lester throwing a 95 mph fastball, fanning Kansas City's Alberto Callaspo.
After last night's game Lester and manager Terry Francona embraced each other.
"He just said he was proud of me," Lester said. "I've been through a lot the last couple of years. He's been like a second dad to me. It was just a special moment right there."
And it was a special night, which when Lester has pitched lately, seems a little redundant.
