Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester is not worried about the accusations that he used a foreign substance during Game 1 of the World Series and realizes that more attention will be paid to him in Game 5, reports Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal.
2013 World Series Game 5: Jon Lester not worried about doctoring accusations
The starter plans to focus on his opponent in Game 5, not what others will say about what he does with his hands.
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St. Louis Cardinals minor league pitcher Tyler Melling started a brief firestorm when he Tweeted out a picture of Lester's glove and speculated that the southpaw had Vaseline in it. The issue disappeared almost as briefly as it started: MLB did not find any evidence that Lester used a foreign substance, and Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak told the media it was a "non-issue."
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Lester told reporters that he had nothing more than rosin in his bag. Red Sox manager John Farrell echoed his pitcher’s comments, telling Tony Lee of ESPNBoston.com:
“From my perspective, if you know Jon Lester, he sweats like a pig and he needs rosin. And you know what, he keeps it in his glove. Other guys will keep it on their arm. Other guys will keep it on their pant leg. So that’s my response to the allegations.”
Even though the issue appears resolved, Lester realizes that observers will still pay more attention to his glove and what he does with his pitching hand Monday night. He isn’t focused on what others will say, telling MacPherson:
“I’m sure there’s going to be focus on my glove and focus on my hands and what I’m doing. I’ve got to worry about the Cardinals. If I’m worried about what people are looking at, I’m worried about the wrong things.”
Lester pitched a dominant Game 1, striking out eight batters over 7 2/3 shutout innings.
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