Confessions of a Lackey fan

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I never expected to look forward to John Lackey's starts. I was just as exasperated with Lackey's surliness as any other fan following the great Beer and Chicken Debacle of 2011. Annoyed with Lackey's refusals to own up to his part in the collapse, I was happy to forget he even existed during the horrendous 2012 campaign as he recovered from Tommy John surgery.

And then there was last year. Lackey suffered from a severe lack of run support in 2013, but he still managed to win ten games, lower his ERA by almost three full runs from 2011, and pitch 189.1 innings (though of course if Lackey had his way, he would have pitched the full nine innings every time he took the mound).

It was the Great John Lackey Redemption Tour, and if it hadn't already been successful enough, it ended when Lackey won the clinching game of the 2013 World Series in the friendly confines of Fenway Park. Sure, there were some notable holdouts, but after 2013, most Red Sox fans were ready to get behind John Lackey.

With a strong 2-0 start to 2014 (including a dominating seven inning win last night), Lackey is looking to extend the redemption tour. He's always had a chip on his shoulder, and it certainly seems to be helping every time he takes the mound... I can't wait to see how he tops 2013.