Why Jon Lester decided to come to Red Sox camp
Lester joined the Red Sox as a guest instructor at Spring Training in Fort Myers, Fla. this week.
A decade after failed contract negotiations pushed Jon Lester out of the Red Sox’ door, he returned to his roots this week.
The three-time World Series-winning pitcher joined his former team in Fort Myers, Fla. on Thursday to serve as guest instructor. After playing 16 seasons in the majors, Lester retired in 2022, but admitted that he was glad to be back on the field.
“I think ultimately when you’re done playing, you still want to be part of something, so it was nice to get a phone call, text, saying, ‘Hey, we want you to be part of this.’ It’s a good feeling,” he told the Globe’s Tara Sullivan.
While the Red Sox’ family tree looks different than it did in 2006 when he started his career with the team, Lester was brought home by some familiar faces.
Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and manager Alex Cora – both former teammates of Lester’s – came together on the idea.
“I think when you win a World Series here, you’re connected to the organization, that’s the bottom line,” Cora said about Lester’s homecoming.
The return comes as a surprise to many who still recall the 2014 fission between the organization and the veteran. Following his nearly nine seasons with the team – during which he helped secure two World Series titles – Lester was reportedly offered only a four-year $70 million contract.
His sudden departure, which came at the trade deadline and dealt the left-hander to the A’s, cast a shadow on a successful run in Boston. Now, with a quarter more life experience in his back pocket, Lester has a different perspective on his exit from New England.
“I’ve obviously grown up and matured since leaving in ‘14, and with that you understand that this game sucks sometimes on the business side of things,” he said. “When you’re in the moment, it can be difficult and it can be hard to understand why certain things happen, what was going through their minds.
“But the further you get away from the situation, you grow up and you mature and you realize, hey, this game, as beautiful as it is, the business gets in the way sometimes.
“I was a product of that, but to be back and to be invited here is pretty special. Obviously the history, and my history here, being a part of this organization is cool,” Lester said.
Could Red Sox fans expect a permanent role on the coaching staff for Lester? It might be too soon to say. Lester did tell USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, however, that he wasn’t interested in joining a team in an official capacity quite yet.
“I’ve bounced around a couple of ideas, spitballing,” Lester said early last month. “But I don’t want to coach and get back in all of that. I don’t want a formal role.”
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