The Baseball Writers Association of America didn't have the same problem, naming Lester the Red Sox Pitcher of the Year for the second consecutive year on Thursday. The voting was done by the Boston chapter of the BBWAA.
Lester is the first Red Sox pitcher to earn the award in back-to-back years since Pedro Martinez accomplished the feat from 1998-2000.
In 2009, Lester went 15-8 with a 3.41 ERA in 203 1/3 innings. His 225 strikeouts were a career high and were the most among all left-handed hurlers in the league.
A dinner will honor Lester and others on Thursday, Jan. 14, at the Westin-Waterfront Hotel in South Boston.
Other BBWAA honorees include Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Carlos Pena (New England Player of the Year), Red Sox first-base coach Ron Johnson (Unsung Hero) and longtime Providence Journal Red Sox beat writer Steve Krasner (Dave O'Hara Award).
