Chicago Cubs: Jon Lester’s leadership is built on success and hardships

A strong start at a young age

Lester is no stranger to success and a high level of competitiveness. Even in his high school years, the 33-year-old was at the top of his game.

A native of Tacoma, Washington, Lester was a three-time MVP on his Prep school team. In addition to being his team’s most valuable player, he was also selected to the all-area team three times. In 2000, Lester was named a Gatorade State Player of the year.

Two years later, Lester was drafted 57th overall by the Boston Red Sox. He would later make his Major League debut in 2006 against the Texas Rangers.

Lester is entering his eleventh season as a big leaguer and fifteenth season as a pro ballplayer. Over the course of that time, Lester became a household name in Boston before being traded to the Oakland Athletics late in 2014. Following that season, Lester signed as a free agent with the Chicago Cubs reuniting him with Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer.