« POSTGAME: Sean McAdam -- Rockies' best shot isn't good enough to stop resilient, rampaging Sox
Main
POSTGAME: Julio Lugo's key defense »
October 28, 2007
BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer
DENVER -- the fact that Jon Lester is pitching at all is something of a miracle. The fact that the cancer survivor will be on the mound for a potential World Series clincher is beyond belief.
''It's going to be fun,'' said Lester after the Red Sox' 10-5 victory last night, giving them a 3-and-0 lead. ''There's going to be a lot of excitement. I'll just try to take a deep breath and enjoy it.''
Lester wouldn't have started any game -- much less the potential clincher -- had Tim Wakefield been healthy. But when Wakefield's shoulder became a problem, Lester was named the Game Four starter before the Series began.
''My approach is going to be the same,'' he said. ''(I"ll take it) one pitch at a time, one hitter at a time, one out at a time. Obviously, there's going to be some nerves. But you have get control of your emotions.''
It's been quite a journey for Lester since being diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma 14 months ago. Now, he can help the Sox win their second title in four seasons.
''It's nice,'' he said of the opportunity. ''It's nice to get the nod. It's nice the team has faith in me. But I'm not going to go out and try to pitch a perfect game. I just want to battle and give my a team a chance to win.''
Posted by Sean McAdam 
at 1:51 AM | Permalink
