BREAKING: Kyle Hendricks weighs pitching-advisor role and potential Cubs ownership after decade-defining nomination that shocks the MLB world
Kyle Hendricks has never been the loudest voice in a room. He has never needed to be. For more than a decade, the right-hander built his reputation on precision, command, and a cerebral approach that earned him the nickname “The Professor” long before he touched the prime years of his career. But this week, Hendricks became the center of a rare and unexpected spotlight after TIME Sports US named him a nominee for its “Sports Personality of the Decade” honor — a recognition that stunned even longtime observers of his steady, understated greatness.
According to those close to the pitcher, the nomination caught Hendricks off guard. He has always defined himself by the work, not the accolades. But the acknowledgment comes at a moment of deep personal reflection for the 35-year-old, who is nearing the final chapters of his playing career. What follows that chapter, however, may be just as intriguing as anything he has done on the mound.
Hendricks’ family has confirmed that the veteran starter has been seriously considering a transition into the Cubs’ pitching analysis and advisory department once he retires. The role would align perfectly with his strengths — his analytical mind, his calm presence, and his longstanding ability to make complex adjustments look simple. Within the organization, there is a belief that Hendricks could become one of the most influential behind-the-scenes figures the franchise has seen in modern era development.
One Cubs staffer described the idea as “a dream scenario,” noting that Hendricks’ baseball intellect is “unmatched” and could reshape the way the club develops command-first pitchers in the future. For years, Hendricks has been viewed internally as an extension of the coaching staff — a player whose ability to break down swings, pitch sequences, and tendencies rivals that of full-time analysts.
But the more surprising revelation is that Hendricks may be pursuing something even bigger. A team source says the pitcher has quietly expressed interest in becoming a minority owner of the Cubs, following a path similar to what several former Rangers legends have done in Texas. While the timeline remains unclear, the idea itself is symbolic: Hendricks is thinking long-term, not only about his post-career life, but about the franchise he has called home since 2014.
The Cubs, for their part, are said to be enthusiastic about the possibility. Hendricks represents the values they want to solidify — stability, professionalism, and consistency. He has survived rebuilds, postseason battles, and the natural aging arc of a baseball career, yet continues to command respect at every level of the organization.
The TIME Sports nomination only amplifies his legacy. In an era defined by velocity and explosive athleticism, Hendricks thrived by doing the opposite — proving that intelligence, discipline, and mastery can still carve out a place in a game that often forgets its more subtle artists. His postseason heroics in 2016 remain iconic, but his quiet leadership behind closed doors has often been just as meaningful.
As Hendricks prepares for what could be the final stretch of his playing days, his next steps appear both emotional and historic. A future as a pitching advisor seems almost inevitable. And ownership? That possibility alone has energized a fan base eager to see its most thoughtful star remain a permanent fixture in Chicago.
For a player who built his brand on silence, the noise around Kyle Hendricks has never been louder — or more well-deserved.
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