Red Sox sign John Lackey to five-year deal

Posted on December 14, 2009

John Lackey of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches against the Boston Red Sox during Game 1 of the American League Division Series at Angel Stadium on October 8, 2009 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

 

The Boston Red Sox stepped up to the plate this afternoon and signed a terrific right handed starting pitcher to bolster their starting staff. They signed former Angels hurler John Lackey to a five-year $85 million contract. Lackey will join an excellent rotation in Boston, which already has Josh Beckett and Jon Lester.

This is a terrific move for the Red Sox. If I was a Red Sox fan I would be very excited as this move- along with others that might come over the Winter- will help them in their attempt to overcome the Yankees. The last time I photographed Lackey was in Game 1 of the ALDS in Anaheim against the very same Red Sox (see above). He was dealing that night and led the Angels to the victory by tossing 7.1 scoreless innings and limiting the Red Sox to only four hits.

Since Lackey and the Angels play in the AL West they make three trips a year to Oakland, so I have had the chance to photograph him many times. He has always been such a horse and one of my favorites to watch work. I have been impressed by Lackey ever since his rookie year when he crushed my heart by beating the Giants in Game 7 of the 2002 World Series.

Lackey comes to the Red Sox with a 102-71 career record. He was a consistent winner for the Angels who won a career-high 19 games in 2007 when he came in 3rd place in the Cy Young Award voting (losing to CC Sabathia). The 31-year-old Texan will quickly become a fan-favorite at Fenway Park, where the loyal fans love gutty performers.

One of my favorite John Lackey moments took place in the visiting dugout at the Oakland Coliseum on July 19, 2009. I was hanging out on the dugout steps before the game having a good time photographing the fun group of guys on the Angels. Bobby Abreu was posing for me and I was getting some great stuff with my wide angle lens. Lackey was that day’s starting pitcher and had just finished warming up in the bullpen. He came into the dugout and sat down to have a drink of Gatorade and get ready for the game, which was starting in minutes. What the Hell, I decided to shoot a picture of him since he was sitting right in front of me. I thought I was pretty sly as I pointed my camera at him. I started shooting when he screamed at me, “Hey! Get the FUCK out of here!” (see above). I ran out of the dugout so fast!

I was worried that I might have broken his concentration. Not so much. Lackey went out and threw a complete-game three-hit shut out at the A’s, winning 1-0. That is the guy the Red Sox are getting.