I've held off on making any post about this since it's so far been hearsay, but finally, per the official MLB account, Kyle Hendricks is retiring.
Anyone who is a Cubs fan, and I'm sure anyone who follows this account, does not need any introduction to Kyle. He pitched for 12 years in the majors, 11 of which were for the Cubs. We will always remember him for his quietly dominant 2016 season, which includes a legendary performance in Game 6 of the NLCS, and a solid start in Game 7 of the World Series. But we will also remember his 2019 Maddux, his dominance over the Cardinals, and the professionalism he carried himself with whether in 2016 or a struggling 2024.
Kyle Hendricks is the thinking fan's favorite pitcher. He didn't dazzle with a triple-digit fastball - he made batters look like fools on pitches often in the 70s and 80s. He was quiet, thoughtful, and stoic. He could be up 5 or down 10; didn't matter. But you always loved to see him pitch, and you always wanted him to be awesome. And often, he was.
"Hendo has closed the book on a masterclass career—Kyle Hendricks retires after 12 seasons defined by precision, poise, and postseason brilliance. In an era dominated by velocity, Hendricks carved out a legacy with cerebral command and a devastating changeup-sinker mix, proving that intellect could still out-duel raw power. He led the National League in ERA in 2016 and started Game 7 of the Cubs' historic World Series win that same year, allowing just one earned run and setting the tone for a championship 108 years in the making. Over 11 seasons in Chicago and one final campaign with the Angels, he compiled a 105–91 record and a 3.79 ERA, earning the respect of teammates and rivals alike. Joe Maddon once called him 'a modern-day Greg Maddux,' and few pitchers have ever worn that comparison more gracefully. Hendricks didn't just pitch—he orchestrated, out-thought, and elevated the art of control, leaving behind a legacy that will resonate in Wrigley lore for generations." - Baseball Almanac. 11 November 2025. [x]
Enjoy retirement, Professor! You are a Cubs legend forever.
