Not only did the Red Sox 3-game sweep of the Brewers this weekend halt their losing skid, and put the Sox back on top of the AL East... it also meant I won the bet with our Brewer buddies from Right Field Bleachers. That also means I'll have some brand spankin' new original design Papi Seeds shirts to give away to readers. Everyone wins! (except the Brewers)

I've gushed about Chris Speakman's iconic artwork before-- but as a public service, I'm doing so again. Chris has partnered with Dunkin Donuts to release a series of 4 Sox posters over the next couple of months. Tomorrow is the last day to pick up the first poster (Papelbon) - so hop to it!

Also keep an eye out on Chris's website - his amazing artwork caught the eye of the Red Sox and Major League Baseball, so he'll also be releasing a bunch of new silkscreen print designs blessed by MLB. I MUST have this Fenway one...

Coherent thought to follow later, but for now... wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

2008 is the year Jon Lester rewrites his story. Again.

2006 was the year of the diagnosis. The year Jon, just 22 years old and in his rookie year, experienced severe lingering back pain that landed him on the DL just two months after his major league debut. The year he discovered that back pain wasn't what he thought, wasn't the aftereffect of a fender bender... it was cancer. The year he fielded questions from a mob of reporters about anaplastic large cell lymphoma during an emotional press conference. The year he faced down months of chemotherapy, and pitying looks from folks who thought he'd be lucky to make it through treatment but never really expected to see him pitch again. And then, in December, it became the year of remission, the year the scans ran clean, the year cancer was beaten back.

2007 was the year of redemption. The year Jon, just 23 years old and a few months removed from chemotherapy, reported to spring training. The year he was more than a few pounds lighter, but stronger in mind and spirit than before. The year he made a triumphant return to the mound in July and pitched the Sox to a victory in Cleveland, bringing tears to the eyes of just about everyone watching. The year he helped fill out a Sox rotation desperate for some new blood. The year he took the hill in Game 4 in Colorado when the ailing veteran stepped aside. The year he got to hug the World Series Trophy and then hug his ecstatic parents and celebrate being a World Champion. But it was also still the year that he was so often labeled "that cancer kid, Jon Lester", and the year that his miraculous comeback from lymphoma was still so fresh that it didn't just inspire others... it often overshadowed him.

2008 is the year of renewal, of change, of a new beginning. The year Jon, just 24 years old, threw his first career complete game, his first career shutout, and his first career no-hitter... all in the same night. The year his comrades vaulted over the dugout fence and the bullpen wall with crazy grins to get in a hug and a fistpound and a dance of celebration. The year he was lifted in the air by his batterymate, while his teammates raucously jumped around him. The year that his manager, the guy Jon described as a second father, clung to him just a little tighter and a little longer and made everyone tear up. The year that maybe, just possibly, the media stops going for the easy storyline, the vaguely manipulative use of his battle with lymphoma-- and the year he goes from being "Jon Lester, that kid who had cancer" to "Jon Lester, that kid who threw a no-hitter". The year that he finally gets to experience being a normal guy again... if your definition of "normal guy" includes "normal guy who throws a no-hitter". The year his victory over cancer becomes PART of his story, and not THE story.

Last night, Jon Lester rewrote history. He blazed his way into the record books of the Red Sox, throwing the 18th no-hitter in the club's history and the first lefty to toss one in 52 years, and the record books of MLB, becoming the first pitcher of the season to toss a no-no and the first to do so since his teammate back in September. But with that final fastball to Alberto Callaspo, that final swinging strike, Jon Lester didn't just rewrite the record books of history... he also rewrote his story.

Thirty-six hours later, and there's still a lingering feel of giddiness, for no particular reason at all. But before officially moving on to other things, a few superlatives deserve to be handed out -- and a few more videos need to be posted.

For rendering service in total disregard to life and limb, the Game Saver Award goes to Jacoby Ellsbury. Last time, it was rookie Dustin Pedroia with a diving catch to save Clay Buchholz's bacon; this time, Jacoby stepped up and helped preserve the No-No.

For a record-breaking track record of fabulous game-calling, the Oh Captain, My Captain Award goes to Jason Varitek. Hideo Nomo. Derek Lowe. Clay Buchholz. And now Jon Lester. It's like he's the best catcher in the majors or something.

For managing Jon Lester the pitcher to a victory on the field, and for helping manage Jon Lester the man to a victory off the field, the Father (Figure) of the Year Award goes to Terry Francona. He also earns himself Awesomest Emotional Hug of the Century, of which I will (of course) post several photos.

NESN caught up with both Jon Lester and Jason Varitek yesterday afternoon, and got a complete rundown of their thoughts and reactions the day following the no-hitter. Here's Lester's interview below- and Jason's interview is after the jump.

Lester also made an appearance on ABC World News last night as well - he's now cemented his status as official media darling.

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Jamaican baseball has arrived! With his first major league win last night, star prospect and Jamaican-born Justin Masterson officially joined the illustrious roster of Jamaican baseball players. A roster that includes Chili Davis, Devon White, Rolando Roomes and... that's about it. Still, yay Jamaica! While you were busy caring about cricket and track (and bobsled), you managed to produce the Red Sox #1 pitching prospect.

Justin also earned himself a promotion from double-A Portland to triple-A Pawtucket - which means he'll get to join Julian Tavarez on the PawSox.

And just because, some video of Justin Masterson awhile back, lookin' all young and "golly gee aww shucks" in Portland... after the jump.

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For the price of admission today, Sox fans got not one but TWO grand slams off the Royals, courtesy of Messieurs J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell- the first time the Sox smashed two salamis in one game since 2003 when Bill Mueller hit two all by himself. Naturally, this earns J.D. and Mike Co-Baseball Boyfriend of the Day honors. The slammin' offense also helped get Daisuke Matsuzaka his eighth win on the season (and a perfect 8-0 record), despite giving up six walks and three earned runs.

The victory over the Royals also ensured that the Red Sox swept the series 4-0... and even more importantly, that they were successfully able to defeat the Curse Of Indiana Jones that loomed over this day on the calendar like an evil menace. MLB selling its soul to Hollywood sure is fun! Remember the Spiderman debacle? That sure turned out well.

The ladies behind The Lester Project have teamed up with the folks at Sully's Tees to produce a t-shirt that commemorates Jon Lester's no-hitter -- and also helps raise money for the Lester Project's efforts towards cancer research. Plus, the shirt is super cute, so it's a win-win!

You can get one of your very own right here. You know you want one.

hat tip to njdevils!

Batting Stance Guy takes on the Red Sox - and produces near-identical replications of the guys' batting stances. So identical, it's pretty freaky, actually. And he gives us the full gamut - obviously, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez are in there, but they're fairly easy. But he also does Nomar, Mo Vaughn, Yaz, Fisk and even Ted Williams.

The funniest of the bunch is easily Kevin Youkilis - and we get to see "Youk" hitting and striking out. Considering how much fun Youk and Manny had making fun of Sean Casey and Jason Varitek, it's even funnier.

Ballhype also has a Q&A with Batting Stance Guy here. Oh, and bonus points for everyone who gets the title reference.