Cubs News: David Ross discusses Jon Lester's upcoming return to Wrigley Field |
CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs manager David Ross and Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jon Lester share a special bond that dates back to their time spent playing together with the Boston Red Sox. Ross was Lester's catcher on two different World Series teams, the 2013 Red Sox and the 2016 Cubs, and Ross had the opportunity to manage his good pal "Big Jon" in 2020, his first year as the Cubs' skipper and Lester's last year as a Cubs starter.
Lester signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Nats in the offseason, thus leaving the Cubs in free agency after pitching for the North Siders from 2015-20. Now, the left-hander is set to make his return to Wrigley Field when the Nationals head to Chicago for a four-game series next week. Ross was asked on Saturday about Lester likely getting the start in Monday's series opener and had nothing but kind words to say about his former batterymate. "I hope the fans give him the welcome back he deserves," Ross said of Lester. "He's a special human being. [He] means a lot to me [and] means a lot to this organization. [He] has done a lot for this organization and for a lot of the guys in this clubhouse." In addition to encouraging fans to express their appreciation for Lester's services to the North Siders, Ross touched on what Lester means, both personally and professionally, to him and others in the Cubs organization. Lester and Ross were teammates with the Red Sox from 2013-14 and the Cubs from 2015-16. Lester was a two-time All-Star as a Cub and also was the 2016 NLCS MVP and the 2018 National League wins leader while suiting up for the Cubbies.
