Lester, Damon, Timlin to be inducted into Red Sox’ Hall of Fame in 2026

Boston Red Sox

The inductees will be honored during the 2026 regular season.

By Conor Roche

January 10, 2026 | 12:17 PM

2 minutes to read

The Red Sox are set to honor a few players who helped the franchise win a World Series in a big way.

Jon Lester, Johnny Damon, and Mike Timlin will be inducted into the Red Sox’ Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026, the team announced Saturday. Former Red Sox public address announcer Sherm Feller will also be inducted as the non-uniformed inductee.

Lester was a key piece to multiple Red Sox World Series-winning teams, helping them win it all in 2007 and 2013. He posted a 1.93 ERA over three appearances in the 2007 postseason before serving as the ace for the 2013 World Series ballclub, logging an impressive 1.56 ERA in five starts that October.

On top of his postseason dominance, Lester etched himself as one of the greatest pitchers in Red Sox history. Earning three All-Star nods over his nine seasons in Boston (2006-14), Lester’s fourth in team history in strikeouts (1,386). That’s also the most for any left-handed pitcher. He’s also ninth in team history in wins (110) and fourth in games started (241).

Lester also battled cancer early in his MLB career, getting diagnosed with lymphoma during his rookie season. He was able to return from that, and two years later, he threw the 18th no-hitter in Red Sox history.

Damon, who joined the Red Sox as a free agent in 2002, helped Boston snap its 86-year title drought in 2004. The centerfielder was a fan favorite with his beard and long hair, earning two All-Star nods (2002, 2005) in his four seasons with the team. But his most memorable moment came in Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS, when he hit two homers against the Yankees to help the Red Sox become the first team in MLB history to comeback from a 3-0 deficit and win a series.

Timlin was also a part of the 2004 Red Sox’ World Series-winning team and the club that won it all in 2007. He’s also among the franchise leaders in games pitched. His 394 appearances are the fifth-most in team history and third among relievers. His 28 postseason appearances are the most games pitched by any player in Red Sox history. Timlin logged a 3.76 ERA over his six seasons in Boston.

Finally, Feller served as the Red Sox’s public address announcer from 1967 to 1993. He was the first public address announcer to welcome fans to Fenway Park with the greeting,  “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to Fenway Park.”

A “Memorable Red Sox Moment” was also picked for remembrance as part of the 2026 Red Sox Hall of Fame induction. Bill Mueller’s walk-off home run in the Red Sox’ 11-10 win over the Yankees on July 24, 2004, was picked as the moment to remember as part of the 2026 induction. Earlier in that game, a brawl broke out between the two teams as the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry was arguably at its height that season.

Dates for the induction ceremonies haven’t been revealed, but they’ll be honored during the 2026 regular season. The committee that picked the honorees was comprised of club executives, local and national media members, historians, and fan representatives.