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Showdown with Cardinals: This is why Cubs signed Jon Lester

ST. LOUIS – The recruiting video shown to Jon Lester during his visit to Chicago last November built up to the climactic scene with a play-by-play account of the Cubs finally winning the World Series and the lit-up Wrigley Field marquee.

The chance to make history – and $155 million guaranteed – while living in a world-class city and playing in an iconic ballpark wouldn’t have to be a hard sell. The postseason dream sequences for a last-place team required a little more imagination.

“This is why he’s here, why we signed him,” general manager Jed Hoyer said.