Classy Lester takes out full-page ad to thank Boston fans

Jon Lester might be gone from Boston, but he leaves on good terms with the team and fans.

And to show his appreciation, the hurler took out a full-page ad in the Boston Globe to thank the fans and team for standing behind for his eight seasons with the Red Sox.

Lester, who was traded to the Oakland Athletics at Thursday's deadline, had spent his entire career with the Red Sox, having been drafted by the team in 2002.

He made his major league debut in 2006, going 7-2 over 81 innings before his season was cut short when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He underwent treatment and returned during the 2007 season.

The comeback was a rousing success, with Lester winning the title-clinching Game 4 of the 2007 World Series in his first postseason start.

The 30-year-old has a 109-63 career record, sporting a 3.66 ERA and 1,371 strikeouts along the way.