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Cubs pitcher spent $47,000 on beer for Chicago fans

Cubs pitcher spent $47,000 on beer for Chicago fans
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Jon Lester is now a free agent in the MLB, after a $25 million option was declined by the Chicago Cubs. If he does leave the team, he left fans a huge parting gift: $47,000 in beer.

On Friday, before the official word the team declined Lester’s option, the pitcher tweeted he wanted to thank his fans.

“Regardless of what’s next I want to thank the fans for the past 6 years. So this weekend (10.30-11.1) Im (sic) buying y’all my favorite beer,” Lester tweeted, then added four bars in the Chicago area. “Your 1st @MillerLite is on me. Just tell em to put it on #JonsTab,” Lester continued.

Fans came out, and put more than 4,800 Miller Lite’s on Jon’s tab at the four bars over the weekend.

The receipts totaled more than $31,000 on beer, and Lester tipped 34 percent, in a nod to his jersey number. The total he spent was more than $47,000.

Lester told ESPN 1000 in Chicago he hopes there is a chance he can return to the team at a lesser deal. He has publicly said he wants to win his 200th career win as a Cub, he is just seven away.

"Since Day 1 it's been awesome to be a part of," Lester told ESPN. "They have made my family feel like family and accepted us from the beginning. It's been a fun ride, and hopefully the ride is not over."

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Nick Walters

Nick Walters

Senior Sports Reporter

Alex Eschelman

Alex Eschelman

Sports Multimedia Journalist

Taylor Rocha

Taylor Rocha

Sports Multimedia Journalist

Rochelle Richards

Rochelle Richards, senior sports producer

Rochelle Richards

Senior Sports Producer