Famous: it's not my article, but read this closely

By DAVID ANDRIESEN
P-I REPORTER

The biggest media star at Safeco Field on Friday afternoon was Red Sox rookie left-hander Jon Lester, the Tacoma native off to a 5-0 start since being promoted.

A crowd of reporters gathered around him on the infield dirt after his workout, and one asked which big leaguer he'd most like to face.

"Griffey," the 22-year-old said. "Hopefully he hits a home run off me. That would be kind of cool."

Boston manager Terry Francona might not be crazy about that answer, but who can blame Lester for idolizing Ken Griffey Jr. the way all his Tacoma contemporaries did growing up?

"I think he was every kid's favorite growing up," Lester said. "I remember him in the Kingdome, crashing into walls and hitting home runs."

Lester, a graduate of Bellarmine Prep, will start Sunday against Seattle's Jarrod Washburn, and he'll have a cheering section of about 50 family members and friends.

His parents picked him up at the airport on Thursday night and took him home.

"It was nice to have him," dad John Lester said. "It was kind of like he never left."

The senior Lester has been following his son's big season, but not too closely.

"His mom (Kathie) will watch on the MLB (TV) package, and I sit in the garage and drink Coke and listen," he said. "After every inning she comes out and gives me a report. I will not watch. I get too nervous.

"I quit smoking five years ago, and I'm surprised I haven't taken it up again."

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Anyway, after letting you read the whole article, I'll tell you. I was the reporter who asked Lester the question.