The Sporting News has reported that Jon Lester was announced as the 2008 Hutch Award winner. The Hutch Award is given to the player who exemplifies the honor, courage and dedication of Fred Hutchinson. Hutch was a major league pitcher who died at the age of 45 from cancer.

“This is a tremendous honor for me and my family to have been selected for the Hutch Award,” Lester said in a statement released by the Fred Hutchinson Center. “I’m humbled to know that legends such as Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax and Lou Brock have won this award in the past.”

Lester will visit children at the Hutchinson Center’s Hutch School and receive his award at the annual Hutch Award Luncheon on Jan. 21 at Safeco Field in Seattle. Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver will be the keynote speaker.

Lester was 16-6 with a 3.21 ERA in 2008, just two years after being diagnosed with anaplastic large-cell lymphoma. He also tossed a no-hitter on May 19th.
And will there be more awards for members of the Sox?