Day after still exciting for Lester

Jon Lester said he watched certain parts of Monday night's no-hitter again, but came away feeling there was nothing that really stuck out about his performance other than "Strike one." The two things he remembered most were Jacoby Ellsbury's great fourth-inning catch and the last out.

A lot of first-pitch strikes was the thing that made him happiest. Not to mention hearing his parents' voices telling him how proud they were of him. In fact, Lester indicated that out of the endless number of text and voice messages he received, the conversation with his parents is the one he cherished the most.

"I heard from some people I haven't heard from in a long time," Lester said at his news conference this afternoon. "That was nice, but just talking to them and to hear how proud they were...they usually watch the games. I think Mom watched it and my father was out in the garage doing the usual."

Lester said his father gets so nervous that he doesn't watch, but the pitcher said his dad usually watches the replay of the game.

"He's never watched me pitch ever since I was little," Lester said. "I think he just gets too nervous and wants me to do so well that he worries about it."

Lester said the Hall of Fame so far has requested his cleats but nothing more.

I asked Lester whether throwing 130 pitches felt any different the day after than throwing the normal 90-100. He said, "No. I'm just physically tired from not sleeping. It's just kind of the normal soreness. It'll be nice because we'll get an extra day [he'll pitch Sunday in Oakland] with the way the rotation is set up. Don't have to do anything today. And get after the normal routine tomorrow."

Lester said not sleeping before he starts is not unusual. But last night his fastball was gunned at 94-95 and he even topped out at 96. "Last night obviously added on to that. It was more adrenaline than anything. It took a while to calm back down and get ready to go to bed."

Lester was asked whether he ever thought about pitching a no-hitter, "I think every pitcher thinks about it at some point,'' he said. "I'm sure there are guys who wake up one morning...one of those things that crosses your mind. You definitely, at some point in your life, envision doing it."

He still holds the clinching game of last year's World Series in the highest regard. He also reflected on not being dealt to the Twins for Johan Santana.

"If it had happened, you're part of a trade for the best pitcher in baseball. It's not a bad thing to be in, [but] it's one of those things where you'd like to stay here... "

He was asked about being an inspiration to kids and adults going through cancer or other illnesses. He said, "It's something I'm still learning [to deal with]. I wanted to be treated just like any other pitcher. I just want to be a normal guy and go out and pitch and be criticized for my pitching and not [have people say] "Well, we'll go easy on him." I'm learning how to deal with the kids and just the regular people who come up to you on the street."