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 athlete, participating in baseball, football, and basketball. He earned All-State honors in basketball and competed at the district level during his junior years.
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.
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.
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.
| Net Worth 2021: | 60 million |
