Almost six years ago, Jon Lester took a chance.
One of the game’s true aces made the decision not only to sign with the Cubs, but be the sign of a change on the corner of Clark and Addison.
Not only did he provide credibility and a winning pedigree to a young and hungry club, but he took the ball every fifth day as its No. 1 starter and helped lead them to their ultimate goal of breaking a 108-year drought and capturing a World Series title in 2016.
Lester has not only etched his name forever as the Cubs’ greatest free-agent signing, but also as possibly the greatest free-agent signing in Chicago sports history.
“I didn’t think six years would go this fast,” he said.
No standing ovation. No cheer from the crowd. No curtain call. No final tip of the cap.
"I didn't think six years would go this fast." An emotional night for Jon Lester in what might have been his final start at Wrigley. He said it was especially hard with no fans in the stands. pic.twitter.com/2bAkjB9osw
— Krista Ruch (@KristaCBS2) September 17, 2020
After Lester finished his final inning in the Cubs’ 3-2 win over the Indians at Wrigley Field, Lester simply walked off the mound. But after all his contributions to the franchise, his outing never provided a time for a proper farewell.
The Cubs’ left-hander had a different look in his eye following Wednesday’s game as he was emotional about what could have been his final start at Wrigley Field.
Lester wasn’t able to show his appreciation to the sellout crowds that roared after he’d get out of a jam or got a big strikeout on a sunny afternoon.
“I think that’s probably the most frustrating part for me,” Lester said. “Going back to [2014], I didn’t really get to walk off the field like I wanted to at Fenway Park and obviously tonight, didn’t quite go the way I wanted to have an empty stadium. Not really how I envisioned possibly my last start here.
“Probably the last, I should say probably, but hopefully not the last regular season start putting on the pinstripes tonight. A lot of things on my mind. This year hasn’t been easy for a lot of reasons. And I’m not sitting here saying, ‘Woe is me,’ because there’s a lot of people worse off than me. But you know a lot of emotions coming into this and don’t really know what to say or how to take it. A lot of uncertainties going forward.”
Lester, 36, is in the final year of the six-year, $155 million deal he signed back in 2014. The southpaw is set to become a free agent following this season unless the team picks up his $25 million option. But Lester’s effect on his teammates hasn’t been taken for granted.
Javy Baez was in just his second season in the majors when Lester arrived in Chicago and the Cubs’ shortstop has made sure to take in all he can from him over the last five years.
“I’ve learned a lot from Jonny,” Baez said. “I talk to him a lot. I learned a lot from him — the way he sees the game. The way he prepares. The way he’s got a routine and all that stuff.
“We share conversations, not just me and him, some of our teammates and it’s impressive to see a guy come this far and still pitching. The game has changed a lot and he’s still doing his thing and is still throwing the ball really well. … A tip of the cap to Jonny.”
No one knows what lies ahead for Lester following this season and neither do his teammates, but what he’s brought to the city, the organization and to the clubhouse over the last six seasons won’t be forgotten.
“We all play this game because we love it. We all play this game to compete to win and he embodies that,” Jason Heyward said. “Anything else can be going on in the world, but when you step in between those lines, you go out there, give it your all and get a W for your team. That to me is Jon Lester.”
