Lester Strode

Who is Lester Strode?

James Lester Strode is the bullpen coach for the Chicago Cubs.

He was born and raised in McMinnville, Tennessee, often crediting McMinnville as his home. After attending Kentucky State University, Strode was selected as a pitcher by the Kansas City Royals in the 4th round of the 1980 amateur draft and played in the minors from 1980 to 1988.

After his playing career ended, he was a longtime pitching coach in the Chicago Cubs farm system. Strode was the pitching coach for the Rookie League Wytheville Cubs in 1989, the Single-A Peoria Chiefs from 1990-1991, the Winston-Salem Spirits in 1992, and the Daytona Cubs in 1993. He was then the Cubs' minor league pitching coordinator from 1996-2006. Following the 2006 season, he became the Cubs' bullpen coach. Strode is currently the longest tenured Cubs coach, having served as bullpen coach since 2007, under managers Lou Piniella, Mike Quade, Dale Sveum, and Rick Renteria.

In December 2006, Strode was chosen as a member of the Warren County Sports Hall of Fame.