Sources: Jon Lester Shouldn't Be Lumped In With Crispy Chicken Crew

[Palodios]

According to multiple team sources, the participation of Jon Lester in joining the other starting pitchers in drinking beer, eating fried chicken and playing video games in the clubhouse during games (as was reported by the Boston Globe Wednesday) was overstated. One source said Lester participated “occasionally, but very infrequent.”

 

The sources also confirmed that unlike some of the identified pitchers in the article, Lester’s work ethic didn’t trail off as the Sox slumped through September.

 

“Lester was not part of any of this,” said one of the sources. “He worked his ass off right to the end.”[/Quote]

 

There are a ton of similar posts out there, but I feel this one is important, and should be seen. I don't know about anyone else, but it makes me feel a helluva lot better knowing the Jon Lester was not a part of the problem.

[Elktonnick]

Beckett is the nbr one bad actor in this drama. He most go! At least they will get something in return. As a ten/5 guy he could veto any trade, but given that playing here will become very unpleasant for the smug SOB, I think he'll get the message and want to rehabilitate himself elsewhere.

Lackey is untradeable! If they could work out a deal to send him packing to some baseball Siberia, all the good. If not, I'd tell him that he'll be working out of the bullpen as long relief or a possible spot starter until he has sufficiently readjusted his attitude. I don't think KFC will deliver out there.

 

Lester gets another break! I get the sense he is a good kid but followed the "role model" of his elder peers. Buccholtz gets a pass because he was injured. But someone needs to have a real heart to heart to keep this kid on the right track.

[SoxSport]

Enough with the chicken. Grossly overplayed, although it's a fitting metaphor for the conditioning problem the whole team has.

 

Who ever heard of ditching a top pitcher because he eats chicken in the clubhouse?

[Cairns_Sox]

I think they are trying to clear his name to smooth it over for fans as he will be back next season. Beckett and Lackey will be shopped IMO.

[The Black Prince]

I think they are trying to clear his name to smooth it over for fans as he will be back next season. Beckett and Lackey will be shopped IMO.

 

 

Lackey shopped?

 

LOL!!!

 

No-one is taking him.

[SoxSport]

Lackey will either be lumped in a package with Theo to Chicago, or he will be released outright.

 

There is always the possibility the doctors may discover he needs Tommy John surgery to his elbow.

 

Whatever, he is a goner. He has become a PR liability they have to make disappear.

[Palodios]

Lackey will either be lumped in a package with Theo to Chicago, or he will be released outright.

 

There is always the possibility the doctors may discover he needs Tommy John surgery to his elbow.

 

Whatever, he is a goner. He has become a PR liability they have to make disappear.

 

He's only one year off of a 4.40 ERA, 215 inning season. And that year happened to include the death of a child, a wife with cancer, a divorce, and reportedly a lot of binge drinking. They'll give him a shot in spring training before completely dumping him.

[Cairns_Sox]

Lackey shopped?

 

LOL!!!

 

No-one is taking him.

 

I'd be almost willing to bet he won't be in Boston next year.

[Gringo]

What are the chances we get KFC as a sponsor next year?

[Muggah]

There are a ton of similar posts out there' date=' but I feel this one is important, and should be seen. I don't know about anyone else, but it makes me feel a helluva lot better knowing the Jon Lester was not a part of the problem.[/quote']

 

 

I don't buy this. Not for a minute. The organization is so image conscious that if it were true they would have taken extraordinary steps to debunk Lester's involvement. But as yet they've attempted to debunk none of it. And neither has Lester. For once I agreed with Curt Schilling yesterday when he said these allegations are so damaging that they're borderline 'career ending'--at the very least highly toxic to these player's careers going forward. And like Curt said, that if it was his name, and the reports were erroneous, then he'd have been shouting from the rooftops the day after they came out and every day after that until he cleared his name. To date, we've heard nothing from Lester, nor the Sox. And that speaks volumes.

 

Now I understand that there's still a large faction of pollyannas who sheepishly believe every last word the Sox put out as gospel, but even the Sox aren't denying this. And this is bad, very bad. Manny Ramirez caught living hell when he quit on his team, and that's exactly what these guys did--Lester included--they quit on their team. And they need to feel the same vitriol, and the same harsh venom that was sent Manny's way. Anything short of that, and people who pride themselves as "good and loyal Sox fans" simply aren't doing their jobs.

[Palodios]

To date, we've heard nothing from Lester, nor the Sox. And that speaks volumes.

.

 

We've heard nothing from them because it is a lose-lose situation. It is like saying you didn't do steroids-- one bad vitamin, and the press is all over you.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

I don't buy this. Not for a minute. The organization is so image conscious that if it were true they would have taken extraordinary steps to debunk Lester's involvement. But as yet they've attempted to debunk none of it. And neither has Lester. For once I agreed with Curt Schilling yesterday when he said these allegations are so damaging that they're borderline 'career ending'--at the very least highly toxic to these player's careers going forward. And like Curt said, that if it was his name, and the reports were erroneous, then he'd have been shouting from the rooftops the day after they came out and every day after that until he cleared his name. To date, we've heard nothing from Lester, nor the Sox. And that speaks volumes.

 

Now I understand that there's still a large faction of pollyannas who sheepishly believe every last word the Sox put out as gospel, but even the Sox aren't denying this. And this is bad, very bad. Manny Ramirez caught living hell when he quit on his team, and that's exactly what these guys did--Lester included--they quit on their team. And they need to feel the same vitriol, and the same harsh venom that was sent Manny's way. Anything short of that, and people who pride themselves as "good and loyal Sox fans" simply aren't doing their jobs.

I don't necessarily disagree with what you're saying, but Curt Schilling and Jon Lester are very very different people. Wouldn't be unheard of for someone like Lester to sit quietly and let this blow over.

[Elktonnick]

What are the chances we get KFC as a sponsor next year?

 

If they can't trade Lackey put him in the pen and rename it the chicken coop!

[BornToRun]

I don't buy this. Not for a minute. The organization is so image conscious that if it were true they would have taken extraordinary steps to debunk Lester's involvement. But as yet they've attempted to debunk none of it. And neither has Lester. For once I agreed with Curt Schilling yesterday when he said these allegations are so damaging that they're borderline 'career ending'--at the very least highly toxic to these player's careers going forward. And like Curt said, that if it was his name, and the reports were erroneous, then he'd have been shouting from the rooftops the day after they came out and every day after that until he cleared his name. To date, we've heard nothing from Lester, nor the Sox. And that speaks volumes.

 

Now I understand that there's still a large faction of pollyannas who sheepishly believe every last word the Sox put out as gospel, but even the Sox aren't denying this. And this is bad, very bad. Manny Ramirez caught living hell when he quit on his team, and that's exactly what these guys did--Lester included--they quit on their team. And they need to feel the same vitriol, and the same harsh venom that was sent Manny's way. Anything short of that, and people who pride themselves as "good and loyal Sox fans" simply aren't doing their jobs.

 

f*** Schilling. He's legend as far as baseball goes and what he did was downright heroic but outside of being a player he's just a loudmouth blowhard who can't shut the hell up.