Cubs' Longest-Tenured Coach to Depart Position Before 2020 Season
By Michael Luciano
Theo Epstein might not be going hard after free agents this offseason, but that doesn't mean that there won't be some major turnover in Chicago regardless.
The Cubs parted ways with bullpen coach Lester Strode, who has served in that capacity since the days of Lou Piniella, Aramis Ramirez, and Alfonso Soriano in 2007.
The Cubs continue to make changes to their coaching staff as longtime bullpen coach, Lester Strode, won't be returning. Strode was the longest tenured in-uniform coach, having worked under 5 different Cubs managers since 2007. Among potential... https://t.co/AY3PyoH8Jh
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) November 6, 2019
Strode has been with the organization in some capacity since 1989, and will remain locked into a position of some sort; new manager David Ross simply has another name in mind for the 'pen who...well, has to be worth the discussion.
Veteran Cubs bullpen coach Lester Strode won’t be back in that spot but has been offered another prominent position with the team. New manager David Ross is said to have someone else in mind for pen coach.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 6, 2019
After Strode ended his playing career in 1988, he immediately joined the Cubs as a minor league pitching coach. After serving as the minor league pitching coordinator from 1996 to 2006, Strode was named bullpen coach in 2007.
Strode served under Piniella, Mike Quade, Dale Sveum, Rick Renteria, and Joe Maddon, winning a World Series with the latter in 2016. His work stitching together a solid bullpen from a group of ragtag pitchers was instrumental to their championship run.
Per @ESPNChiCubs, Lester Strode will not return to the Cubs. The long tenured bullpen coach was among a favorite throughout the years by players. Wow - a lot of internal changes are happening with the Cubs (as expected). pic.twitter.com/9qE713ufJy
— Cubs Live (@Cubs_Live) November 6, 2019
With the David Ross era getting into high gear, there are some major changes coming to Wrigleyville, and not even Strode is safe from all the turnover.