2008 was a breakout year for Jon Lester. He made a name for himself the previous fall with a brilliant performance in the decisive Game 4 of the World Series but the following year was the fist time he put together a full season that proved he was the emerging ace of the Boston Red Sox rotation.
If there was a moment from that breakout campaign that we can point to as the turning point that launched Lester into the ace conversation, it was the no-hitter he threw on May 19, 2008 against the Kansas City Royals.