Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Life After Cancer

What would you do if you faced a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in late 2006?

Well, if you were Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester you would come back a year later and pitch in the World Series. Then, this season you would throw a no-hitter against the Kansas City Royals.

What a guy.

Lester (3-2) allowed just two baserunners, walking Billy Butler in the second inning and Esteban German to open the ninth; he also had an error when he threw away a pickoff attempt.

Lester struck out nine, fanning Alberto Callaspo to end the game before pumping both fists in the air.

Catcher Jason Varitek, who has been behind the plate for a record four no-hitters, lifted his pitcher into the air. Manager Terry Francona gave a long, hard embrace to Lester, who missed the end of the 2006 season after he was diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

"I've been through a lot the last couple of years. He's been like a second dad to me," Lester said. "It was just a special moment right there."