Jon Lester announces retirement from MLB after 16 seasons

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Jon Lester announced his retirement from MLB Wednesday, bringing his 16-year run to an end.

The 38-year-old is a three-time World Series champion and was one of three active players with 200 career wins (Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke).

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After making 30 or more starts 12 times during his career, Lester goes out on his own terms.

"It’s kind of run its course," Lester said, via ESPN. "It’s getting harder for me physically. The little things that come up throughout the year turned into bigger things that hinder your performance.

Jon Lester #31 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on during the game against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 15, 2021 in New York City. The Cardinals defeated the Mets 11-4.  (Getty Images)

"I’d like to think I’m a halfway decent self-evaluator. I don’t want someone else telling me I can’t do this anymore. I want to be able to hand my jersey over and say, ‘Thank you, it’s been fun.’ That’s probably the biggest deciding factor."

While Lester spent time with the Athletics (2014), Nationals and Cardinals (2021), he’ll forever be known for his stints with the Red Sox (2006-14) and the Cubs (2015-20).

Selected by Boston in the second round of the 2002 MLB Amateur Draft, Lester went 110-63 with a 3.64 ERA and 1,386 K’s. Lester was the ace of the 2013 World Series team, pitching to a 0.59 ERA in two starts against the Cardinals.

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His career year, however, came in 2016, when the Cubs broke the curse and won their first World Series since 1908. Lester pitched to a career-low 2.44 ERA that season and was named the