Jon Lester

Jon Lester was one of the dominant left-handed pitchers in the big leagues throughout his 16-year career. During his prep baseball career at Bellarmine Preparatory School in Tacoma, Washington he was named the 2000 Washington Gatorade State Player of the Year and earned a second-round selection in the 2002 MLB Draft. Upon signing a minor league contract with the Red Sox, During his rookie campaign in 2006, he posted an impressive 7-2 record, but his season ended early due to a cancer diagnosis. In 2007 he memorably returned with a vengeance, posting a 4-0 record in 12 games and helping the Red Sox to a World Series title.

Lester would go on to earn three All-Star selections with the Red Sox and help them to another World Series title in 2013 before being traded to the Oakland Athletics in 2014. After the 2014 season, he signed a six-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. Lester made two more All-Star teams with the Cubs, including in 2016 when he helped the franchise by breaking a 108-year-old streak and winning the World Series. That year, Lester was also MVP of the NLCS.

Lester stayed in Chicago until 2020 and finished his career with the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals before retiring. Outside of baseball he and his wife have established the NVRQT, or “Never Quit” foundation to support kids in their battle against cancer and to inspire researchers working endlessly towards a cure.