Chicago — The atmosphere in the American baseball world became a bit quiet when Kyle Hendricks, the silent hero of the 2016 World Series championship, officially announced his retirement. But what moved fans the most was not the farewell news, but the emotional and regretful tribute he gave to the team that nurtured his career — the Chicago Cubs.
“My biggest regret is not being able to finish where I started — the Cubs. The Cubs, the fans and my former teammates will always be a part of my passionate youth,” Hendricks shared at the press conference, his voice choking up amid the long applause.
Hendricks, 35, who spent a full decade with the Cubs (2014–2024), was one of the team’s most enduring icons during its golden era. With his accurate, calm, and tactical pitching style, he was once dubbed “The Professor” – a man who didn’t need to be 100 mph to strike out batters with his intelligence and coolness.
In 2016, Hendricks was the heart of a historic Cubs lineup that helped end a 108-year championship curse. He threw 7.1 innings without allowing a run in the decisive NLCS game against the Dodgers, helping the Cubs advance to the World Series. That moment transformed Hendricks from a lesser-known pitcher into a Chicago hero – a symbol of discipline, perseverance, and humility.
But all journeys have an end. After leaving the Cubs at the end of the 2024 season, Hendricks joined the Los Angeles Angels in an effort to regain his form. He pitched consistently for the first half of the 2025 season, but a persistent shoulder injury forced him to make the toughest decision of all: saying goodbye to MLB.
“My body told me it was time to stop,” he admitted. “But my heart… still belongs to Chicago.”
Those words brought tears to the eyes of the entire Cubs community. On social media, the hashtag #ThankYouHendricks quickly trended. Many fans shared photos of his younger days, with the number 28 jersey, a calm face and a quiet smile after each victory. One fan wrote: “He never needed to make noise, just go out and make the whole city proud.”
Head coach David Ross, who was Hendricks’ teammate during the 2016 championship, also gushed: “Kyle is the definition of a Cub. He does things the right way – no fanfare, no calculations, just focused on helping the team win.”
Hendricks’ career may not have been filled with individual accolades, but his legacy with the Cubs is immeasurable: more than 1,500 innings pitched, nearly 90 wins, a 3.45 ERA, and countless memories of a loyal soldier who never wavered.
Now, as the lights of Wrigley Field fade from memory, Hendricks says he will still return to Chicago – not as a player, but as a fan, part of the Cubs family. “I’m going to take my son to Wrigley, so he can understand why his father loved this place so much,” he shared with emotion.
Kyle Hendricks’ journey did not end the way he wanted, but the love he left behind for the Chicago Cubs is strangely perfect – because sometimes, legends don’t need to end with glory, but just need to be remembered forever with a sincere heart and unfading loyalty.
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