Liam Hendriks’ Triumph Over Cancer: A Reliever’s Fight for Life and Legacy

Liam Hendriks is no stranger to high-pressure moments. As a three-time All-Star closer for the Chicago White Sox, he’s faced down batters with games on the line. But in 2022, Hendriks faced a far greater opponent: stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Diagnosed at 33, the Australian-born pitcher confronted a life-threatening illness with the same grit that defined his career, leaning on his wife, Kristi, and their shared mission, “Close Out Cancer,” to emerge not just as a survivor but as a beacon of hope.

The diagnosis came like a fastball to the chest. Doctors gave Hendriks a grueling regimen of chemotherapy, with odds stacked against him. As he battled, a darker side of fandom surfaced: hateful messages and death threats from anonymous trolls targeting him and Kristi. Yet, Hendriks refused to let the noise define him. “You don’t pitch through the boos,” he said in a recent interview. “You pitch through the pain.” Kristi, his rock, stood by his side, managing their household and shielding him from the worst of the online vitriol. Together, they turned their struggle into a rallying cry, launching “Close Out Cancer” to raise funds and awareness for cancer research and support.

Hendriks’ journey was anything but easy. Chemotherapy sapped his strength, but he attacked it with a reliever’s mentality: one inning at a time. By mid-2023, he stunned the baseball world by returning to the mound, just months after being declared cancer-free. His first save post-diagnosis, a scoreless inning against the Yankees, wasn’t just a win for the White Sox—it was a victory for every patient fighting in hospital rooms. Fans at Guaranteed Rate Field roared, not just for the save but for the man who refused to quit.

The “Close Out Cancer” initiative, born from Hendriks’ ordeal, has raised over $500,000 for research and patient care, with events like charity games and auctions. Kristi, a fierce advocate, has been instrumental, organizing fundraisers and sharing their story to destigmatize cancer’s toll. “Liam’s fight was physical,” she said. “Mine was keeping us whole.” Their partnership, forged through 13 years of marriage, mirrors the teamwork Hendriks brought to the bullpen. He credits Kristi’s unwavering support for his recovery, calling her “the real closer in our family.”

Now 36, Hendriks continues to pitch, defying expectations with every fastball. Off the field, he and Kristi mentor young cancer patients, offering hope through hospital visits and virtual calls. The threats from fans, though scarring, have faded against the outpouring of support from the baseball community. “Hate doesn’t win,” Hendriks said. “Love and purpose do.” His 2023 return wasn’t just a personal triumph but a testament to resilience, inspiring teammates like Dylan Cease and fans worldwide.

As “Close Out Cancer” grows, so does Hendriks’ legacy. He’s no longer just a closer with a 2.81 career ERA or 116 saves. He’s a symbol of what it means to fight, not just for a game but for life. In a sport defined by stats, Hendriks’ greatest number is unquantifiable: the lives he’s touched. “Cancer tried to close me out,” he said. “But I’m still in the game.”