8:25pm: WEEI’s Rob Bradford writes that LeVangie’s interview was indeed for the bullpen coach vacancy.
7:40pm: The Cubs will not retain bullpen coach Lester Strode in that role, reports ESPN Chicago’s Jesse Rogers. The 61-year-old Strode has spent 31 years in the Cubs organization, including the past 13 years as the Major League bullpen coach. He has, however, been offered a “prominent” position elsewhere in the organization, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman adds (via Twitter).
Chicago has already interviewed recently dismissed Phillies pitching coach Chris Young — not to be confused with the former MLB pitcher or outfielder — as a potential successor to Strode, per Rogers. Heyman adds one other potential candidate: former Red Sox pitching coach Dana LeVangie. The 50-year-old knows recently hired manager David Ross well, as he was the Red Sox’ bullpen coach during Ross’ time as the team’s backup catcher in 2013-14. LeVangie also worked in the Red Sox scouting department while current Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein, GM Jed Hoyer and vice president Jason McLeod were in the organization.
LeVangie was ousted as the Red Sox’ pitching coach at season’s end, though he was reassigned to another position rather than dismissed entirely. It’s common for coaches who are reassigned to be given the opportunity to interview elsewhere, though, and Heyman notes that LeVangie has indeed interviewed for an unspecified position on Ross’ staff. It was also reported yesterday that former Padres skipper Andy Green has interviewed to serve as Chicago’s bench coach in 2020.
Good guy, going to be missed. I’ll personally miss this guy throwing bullpen balls into the stands.
same here, he threw my daughter a ball once and made her day.
Theo may as well get rid of Ross while he is at it and get down to serious business. Why didn’t Theo just make Strode the manager? The end is near. The sky is falling.
like Theo said, big changes are coming…
We are now getting to e heart of the problem! Lol
So random… first glance, I thought it was a picture of Antonio Brown as an old man
Lol
I would love it if someone who actually knows would explain exactly what the duties of a bullpen coach are. My suspicion is that the job is largely a bookkeeping job…keeping track of every warm-up pitch each pitcher throws. I doubt that he’s allowed to do any actual coaching…possibly an occasional cliche? – “don’t fly open, Stropie” “stay on top of it” Is he supposed to make sure the guys pay attention to the game and don’t get too raunchy.. or doze off?…I really doubt it, but I have no idea. It’s always kind of surprising when one gets fired.
To answer the phone when they want someone to warm up.
Making sure there is an adequate supply of baseballs, sunflower seeds and bubble gum would be part of the job description, too, Tim.
And somebody has to put the bottles of water by the pitchers feet while he is warming up.
On one hand I see this position as everyone else does….it doesn’t make a bit of difference. On the other hand, he talks with and coaches and prepares every single reliever that comes into every game. I see it more as a mental coach. Don’t make them overthink it. Relax, have confidence. Just have fun and go after them! Don’t be scurd!! (Scared)
Is anyone else worried about R. Wick hanging so many curveballs? If he can snap
More of those off, he could close. If he hangs a few and they bang a few? He may be back in Iowa. I like him and I think he’s close to being a very big part of the pen the following years.
Phillies need Didi at third, Hamel and Strasbourg , add Vinnie as long reliever.