Pedro Strop
A fiery relief pitcher whose electric slider and signature crooked cap became a beloved fixture during the Chicago Cubs' historic championship era.
Born 1985 (age 41)·Dutch-Dominican baseball player·Birthday: June 13·Millennials
Biography
Pedro Strop's baseball story is one of reinvention and resilience. Originally signed by the Colorado Rockies, he found his true calling as a relief pitcher after transitioning from shortstop. His breakthrough came with the Baltimore Orioles, where his high-velocity sinker and devastating slider carved out a key role in their bullpen. But his legacy was cemented with the Chicago Cubs. Acquired in a pivotal 2013 trade, Strop, with his perpetually tilted cap, formed a formidable late-inning bridge to closer Hector Rondon and later Aroldis Chapman. His emotional intensity and reliability were central to the Cubs' transformation into contenders, culminating in the unforgettable 2016 World Series championship that ended a 108-year drought. While his final seasons saw him bounce between teams, Cubs fans remember him as a heart-and-soul contributor to a golden age.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Pedro was born in 1985, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Pedro Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Pedro's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2003Could vote
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 2016 World Series as a key member of the Chicago Cubs bullpen.
- Posted a sub-3.00 ERA in four separate seasons with the Chicago Cubs between 2013 and 2019.
- Appeared in over 60 games in a season five times, demonstrating remarkable durability as a reliever.
Did You Know?
He was originally signed as a shortstop and converted to pitching while in the minor leagues.
Strop holds dual citizenship from the Dominican Republic and the Netherlands, qualifying through his wife.
His signature crooked cap became a recognizable trademark throughout his career.
“My job is simple: get the ball, throw the ball, get the next guy out.”
