John Lackey biography, timeline, wife, married, injury, salary

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<p><h2>Early Life and Amateur Career</h2></p>

<p>John Lackey was born on October 23, 1978, in Abilene, Texas. He began playing baseball at a young age, joining the Dixie Little League in his hometown before entering Abilene High School. There, he was a multi-sport <a href="/biography/john-lackey">athlete</a>, participating in baseball, football, and basketball. He earned All-State honors in basketball and competed at the district level during his junior years.</p>

<p>Lackey started his collegiate baseball career at the University of Texas at Arlington, initially playing as a first baseman. During the summer, he developed his pitching skills in the Kansas Jayhawks Summer League. He also played for the Grayson County College team in Denison, Texas, contributing to their victory in the Junior College World Series Championship.</p>

<h2>MLB Debut and Early Success with the Angels</h2>

<p>John Lackey made his Major League Baseball debut in 2002 with the Anaheim Angels, not as previously mentioned being drafted in 2009. He was actually drafted in the second round of the 1999 MLB Draft by the Angels. In his rookie season, he played a pivotal role in helping the Angels secure the 2002 World Series title, becoming the first rookie pitcher since 1909 to win a Game 7 in the World Series.</p>

<p>He quickly gained recognition for his performance, earning the title of Angels' Minor League Pitcher of the Year. That same year, Baseball America named him the Best Pitching Prospect in the Pacific Coast League. On September 16, 2002, Lackey played a key role in securing the Angels' American League Wild Card berth.</p>

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<h2>Career Growth and Achievements</h2>

<p>Over the course of his MLB career, Lackey played for four teams: the Anaheim Angels (now Los Angeles Angels), the Boston Red Sox, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Chicago Cubs. He was named an All-Star in 2007 and led the American League in ERA that same year. Lackey added a second World Series title to his name in 2013, this time with the Boston Red Sox.</p>

<p>Throughout his career, Lackey compiled a win-loss record of 166–127, recorded 1,969 strikeouts, and maintained an earned run average (ERA) of 3.93 over 2,487.1 innings pitched. In 2011, he suffered an elbow injury that severely affected his performance and limited his playtime. As a result, he underwent <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulnar_collateral_ligament_reconstruction">Tommy John surgery</a> in 2012, missing the entire season.</p>

<h2>Tenure with the Chicago Cubs</h2>

<p>John Lackey signed with the Chicago Cubs and played with them from 2016 to 2017. His experience contributed to the team's depth, and he was part of the 2016 roster that famously won the World Series—marking the Cubs' first championship since 1908. At the peak of his tenure with the Cubs, Lackey earned an annual salary of approximately $16 million.</p>

<h2>Media Presence and Public Image</h2>

<p>Although generally recognized for his competitive nature, Lackey has also been the subject of public satire. A notable example is a humorous article published by "The Onion" that jokingly portrayed his alleged superstitions. The piece was satirical and not a factual account, but became a reference point in discussions about his intense game-day rituals.</p>

<h2>Personal Life</h2>

<p>John Lackey married Krista Clark in 2008. Krista had two children from a previous relationship, and together the couple had one daughter. In 2011, amid personal challenges, including Krista's cancer treatment and ongoing chemotherapy, Lackey filed for divorce. The divorce was finalized in 2012.</p>

<p>Outside of baseball, Lackey made a brief foray into the entertainment industry with a cameo appearance in a 2011 music video alongside Red Sox teammates <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Wakefield">Tim Wakefield</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Beckett">Josh Beckett</a>. Despite moments of public scrutiny, he has largely maintained a private and grounded personal life.</p>

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