Meet Red Sox Jon Lester and Manny Delcarmen
By Kimberly Dunbar

On Sat. Aug. 19th, Red Sox aces Jon Lester and Manny Delcarmen came to Worcester for a meet and greet with their fans ~ Lester at Brew City on Shrewsbury Street and Delcarmen at the Latino Festival downtown. I got a chance to sit down with them to ask them the burning questions for the fans.

KiD: Being from Boston, what is it like playing in front of your home crowd?
Manny Delcarmen: I couldn’t ask for more. It’s great to have my family and friends around to watch me play, all of those people who watched me grow up, they got to see this little kid who now made it to the big leagues. It’s so special to have my parents there at the games. It’s a dream come true for me.

KD: This is your second year in the big leagues. Any less pressure in your sophomore year than in your rookie season?
MD: There is a little less pressure and a little less stress. The more and more I get out there more comfortable I get. And the more time we spend with new pitchers like [Jonathan] Papelbon and Jon [Lester] makes it easier for all the younger guys.

KD: This winter you hosted the inaugural Manny Delcarmen “Bowlin’ Strikes for Schools.” What kind of bowler are you?
MD: I’m a good bowler. I go candlepin bowling. It’s one of my favorite off-season activities.

KD: What other charities do you participate in around the area?
MD: I worked with the Jimmy Fund a lot this season.

KD: How does it feel to be able to give back to the community that gave you so much growing up?
MD: It feels good. Not too many guys get a chance to do this. You have to give back whatever you can. I have to credit my parents for that.

KD: Who’s the woman in your life?
MD: My financee, Ana. She’s always there to support me, and plays a large role in my success.

KD: What is your favorite part about playing for the Red Sox?
MD: My favorite part is getting up every day and driving to Fenway Park and knowing that this is my job. I always wanted to play for the Red Sox, so it’s a dream come true.

KD: OK, last year Papelbon had to wear a pink backpack as part of his rookie initiation. Have you had yours yet?
Jon Lester: No, not yet, but I know it’s coming. Come Sept., I know I’ll have to wear the hooker outfits they wore last year.
MD: Last year, mine was the best worst dress ever!

KD: When you first came up as a rookie, did you ever think you would play such a key role in the Red Sox rotation this season?
JL: No, not at all. It was nice to get the opportunity to pitch in Boston, but when I came up I just thought it would be for one or two starts. Now I’ve stayed for a while and it’s been a lot of fun. I’m just trying to enjoy it.

KD: What’s the pressure like being a rookie with this kind of responsibility?
JL: In Boston there is pressure no matter what role you are in. But it’s a good kind of pressure. It keeps you motivated. It’s like having another set of eyes watching what you do.

KD: Ever get advice from other pitchers?
JL: Mainly just advice on the ins and outs of stuff, like how to use video to your advantage and how to prepare. But not on pitching, we all are different.

KD: What’s your favorite part about being a Red Sox player?
JL: My favorite part is that no matter where we travel to play in the country, we always have a good fan base behind us. All the parks we’ve been to this year, like Tampa Bay and Atlanta, have had more Red Sox fans than home team fans in the stadium.