“I want to try to,’’ he said yesterday as the Sox opened spring training at their new complex. “It’s something the guys in my age group have never really had to do because we’ve been around guys like [Tim Wakefield and Jason Varitek] and had veteran guys who have been around a long time.
“We’ve just sat back and let them do their thing and kind of followed them. It’s time for us, and me, to step up and start to try and feel comfortable in that situation and do the best I can in there.’’
Wakefield retired last week and Varitek soon may do the same. Jonathan Papelbon fled Boston for Philadelphia via free agency.
Now only David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis, and Josh Beckett have been with the Red Sox longer than Lester, who made his debut in 2006.
Lester’s willingness to stand in the fire was evident three weeks after last season when he called a reporter from the Globe and admitted to drinking beer in the clubhouse during games. He promised then to improve as a teammate and take a greater role in setting the tone.
“I’m ready to move on from it,’’ he said. “I’ve learned from it. It’s something that I’m not proud of. The biggest thing is, especially from last year, is that you learn from your mistakes. I’m looking forward to starting new this year and trying to be that leader.’’
Lester’s actions are another sign of his commitment. He arrived here on Feb. 6 and has worked out nearly ever day since. Lester said getting to camp early long has been a part of his routine, but manager Bobby Valentine and pitching coach Bob McClure were impressed.
“It said a lot to me,’’ McClure said. “Here’s one of the best pitchers in the game and he’s here two weeks ahead of time. That makes my job easier.’’
Lester was 15-6 with a 2.93 earned run average in his first 27 starts of 2011. He was 0-3 with an 8.24 ERA in his last four starts with the team losing all four of the games as part of their historic collapse.
Those games haunted his offseason.
