"Lester returns home to face M's...Red Sox rookie pitcher from Tacoma still learning but is off to 5-0 start" -- July 23, 2006

BY CALEB BREAKEY
THE OLYMPIAN

SEATTLE -- The adage, "So close, yet so far" never seemed so true.

Boston Red Sox pitcher and Tacoma native Jon Lester lacks something, but it rests a mere 30 feet from his locker.

Experience.

Seven chairs, a garbage can and two fluorescent lights span the 30-foot pathway -- a beeline from Lester's locker to Red Sox ace Curt Schilling's locker.

"Anything you can pick up, whether it's the smallest thing or the biggest thing, it helps you," Lester said. "You can just watch (Schilling) pitch -- the way he prepares and the knowledge he has."

Lester, a Bellarmine Prep graduate who will take the mound against the Mariners this afternoon, finally is home.

This weekend marked the first time the 6-foot-2, 190-pound left-hander slept in his own bed in the summer since he was selected by the Red Sox in the second round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft.

"I haven't had much time," said the Sox's 2005 Minor League Pitcher of the Year. "I went home (Friday) night after we got in and spent time with my grandfather and uncle. It was just nice to be around the hometown and obviously be back in Seattle."

Lester, who owns a 5-0 record and 2.38 ERA, set aside 50 tickets for friends and family today.

The Red Sox's No. 3 starter began his career throwing mostly fastballs but now mixes several off-speed pitches in with his dominating heater.

"A little bit of everything," he said. "Some days it's curveball, some days it's cutter. Every day is different, figuring out what's working that day."

Two minor league sports psychology coaches for the Red Sox, Bob Tewksbury and Don Kalkstein, helped the 22-year-old develop pitching routines and mental toughness.

Tewksbury and Kalkstein taught him both a pre- and post-pitch mindset, along with a workout regime and five-day pitching routine, Lester said.

The southpaw's overall presence on the mound improved this year.

"That's come a long way," he said. "Those guys have just helped out tremendously on the development side of it."

Lester said his coach at Bellarmine Prep -- Rick Barnhart -- asked him about his pitching poise.

"Is it just a face, or are you actually that comfortable?" Barnhart questioned.

"I told him it was more or less a face," Lester said. "I try to act that way, but at times ... you're not too comfortable."

The 2005 Eastern League Pitcher of the Year pitched a career-high 1481/3 innings over the span of 26 starts last year, including three complete games.

Lester's ability to pitch deep into games branded him an "innings eater" in the minor leagues.

"That means you're working hard and staying healthy," he said. "That's the biggest thing as a starter and that's what you want."

The lefty said his parents, John and Kathie, supported him in every sport he played.

Lester's father recalled traveling to Fenway Park to watch his son's first game. The Lesters were joined by friends from Ohio and, every now and then, Lester's father leaned close to the friends and said, "Is that my kid out there?"

Probably with a pat on John Lester's knee, his friends responded, "It is."

People told Lester that his son "has talent," but he knew reaching the big leagues takes much more -- something he knew Jon had.

"It's a lot more than just talent; it's what's in here," John Lester said, pointing toward his chest. "He's always been tough."

The rookie pitcher said his parents get more nervous than he does when he struts out to the mound. Kathie Lester even screams at the TV screen when she watches, yelling for him to strike out the opponent.

John Lester said he gets too nervous to watch his son's games live on TV.

"I won't watch it when he pitches," he said. "I sit out in the garage and I drink Coke out there. (Kathie) comes after innings and gives me updates."

Jon Lester, who has struck out 37 and walked 29 in 451/3 innings this season, impressed the Red Sox's coaches with his ability to pitch out of jams, his father said.

Especially awed is Boston manager Terry Francona.

While Francona said guessing whether Lester could become a pitcher the caliber of Schilling is a bit of a leap, the manager likes what he sees from the youngster.

"Tremendous amount of maturity," he said. "Learning how to pitch in the major leagues in the middle of a pennant race isn't an easy thing to do, but I think he's handled it really well."

Francona told Lester repeatedly to "pound the strike zone" when he joined the Red Sox in June. Lester will win games so long as he throws strikes, the Boston manager said.

"When he throws strikes, he's going to have success," Francona said. "He's not a kid who's coming up once, and then going to go back. He's a keeper."