Ross' idea to get Lester moment he deserves with Cubs fans originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Jon Lester didn't get a proper send-off from a packed house at Wrigley Field in 2020 due to COVID-19, as no spectators were allowed at games in the shortened season.
With Lester in town with the Nationals this week, good friend and Cubs manager David Ross has an idea to get the lefty the moment he deserves with the fans that supported him in his six seasons on the North Side.
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"I was out there thinking we should petition the mayor [Tuesday] for Jon Lester Day and let it be full capacity, just for the pregame ceremonies for him," Ross said with a smile after Monday's 7-3 Cubs win.
The Cubs had 11,144 fans in attendance for Monday's game, roughly a quarter of Wrigley Field's capacity. But they sounded louder than that, giving Lester, who started for Washington, several standing ovations, including when he exited the game in the sixth inning.
Lester felt the emotional weight of his final home start in 2020, expressing frustration over not being able to offer his appreciation to Cubs fans in what turned out to be his final start with the team.
The Cubs plan to honor Lester ahead of Tuesday's game, but Jon Lester Day becoming an annual thing, once Wrigley is back at full capacity, is surely something fans could get on board with.
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