“It mentally took him from a young man to an adult.”
—Teammate Jason Varitek

“The first time I saw him pitch, I called Theo Epstein and said, `Whatever you do, don't trade Jon Lester.'”
—Boston Scouting Director Jason McLeod

“I almost didn’t recognize him because I didn’t expect him to look that good . I expected to walk in and see more of a frail-type person. It's just amazing, man.”
—Teammate Jonathan Papelbon

“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 handled it really well.”
—Red Sox manager Terry Francona

“I think it’s obvious how we feel about this kid.”
—Francona

“He’s a keeper.”
—Francona

“In his mind, he was a major-league pitcher. And now he's showing us he is.”
—Minor League manager Ron Johnson

“I’ve always maintained from the first day I saw him he’s one of the best prospects in the minor leagues I've ever seen.”
—Minor League Manager Todd Claus

“He profiles clearly as a middle- or upper-end starting pitcher ... He has such a bright future. He's got all the attributes.”
—Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell

“Given that we have all lost loved ones to cancer, it was impossible not to feel something deep down inside as 23-year-old Jon Lester, in the biggest game of his young life, helped lead the Red Sox to their second World Series championship in four years.”
—Sportswriter Steve Buckley

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