Boston Red Sox: The remarkable consistency of Jon Lester

Now that Jon Lester has decided to retire, tributes are going to role in for the former Boston Red Sox pitcher. A three time World Series winner, he was a key part in the Cubs’ breaking their own championship curse while earning two other titles in Boston. He will be as a strong top of the rotation arm, someone that any team with postseason aspirations would have wanted on their staff.

As impressive as Lester had been, his remarkable consistency is often overlooked. As Mike Petriello of MLB.com pointed out, Lester had the same winning percentage and ERA in Boston and Chicago.

Former Boston Red Sox starter Jon Lester was model of consistency

It is not a surprise that Lester was such a highly desired player during his career. A five time All Star and the 2016 NLCS MVP, he posted a career 200-117 record with a 3.66 ERA and a 1.278 WHiP over his 2740 innings, striking out 2488 batters with 892 walks.

But the numbers do not tell the full story as it pertains to Lester. Despite battling cancer earlier in his career, he was a remarkably durable pitcher, throwing over 200 innings eight times and having his run of 12 consecutive seasons with at least 30 starts ended by the pandemic shortened 2020 campaign.

That durability and consistency were key to Lester’s success. Teams knew that they would get six solid innings, at minimum, almost every time out. He was a leader and a true ace during his prime, someone that his team could count on to get those key victories down the stretch or in the postseason.

Career totals and accolades are easy to quantify. They are a quick way to look at someone’s career and see how good of a player they were. In Lester’s case, it was his remarkable consistency that made him great.

Former Boston Red Sox star Jon Lester has taken the mound for the final time. His remarkable consistency was an important part of his legacy.