LAS VEGAS — Cubs great Kyle Hendricks is set to retire from playing, the Sun-Times confirmed on Monday.
Hendricks, 35, accrued a 3.79 ERA over 12 seasons, 11 of which he spent with the Cubs. His long and decorated career included a 2016 World Series championship and the ERA title that same year.
Nicknamed “The Professor,” Hendricks was a consistent force in the Cubs rotation for years, thriving off finesse and an even temper in big moments, even as the industry trended toward velocity. His performance in Game 6 of the 2016 NL Championship Series, when he blanked the Dodgers for 7 ⅓ innings, will stand as a defining moment in an impressive legacy.
Hendricks continued to evolve in more recent years, extending his career past a lengthy shoulder injury. He even agreed to pitch out of the bullpen for part of the 2024 season, his last with the Cubs.
Hendricks fittingly ended his Cubs tenure with a masterful showing against the Reds — holding Cincinnati to two hits through 7⅓ scoreless innings — and a standing ovation from the Wrigley Field faithful.
“I hate all that attention, but in the end, I know I have to soak in these moments,” Hendricks said after that game. “And that’s what the Wrigley fans are there for. They’re so special. They’re the best in the world. To play here in Wrigley Field, I’m just such a lucky guy.”
Hendricks began his professional baseball career in the Rangers’ farm system, selected in the eighth round of the 2011 MLB Draft out of Dartmouth — before being included in a 2012 trade with the Cubs for right-hander Ryan Dempster.
Hendricks wrapped up his career with one season as a Los Angeles Angel. He was a veteran fixture in their rotation this year, posting a 4.76 ERA, which included one start against his former team in late August.
‘‘He’s on my Mount Rushmore of Cubs pitchers,’’ Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said then, listing Hendricks’ career accomplishments. ‘‘To me … as a human being and the time we spent together and the ups, the downs, the good and the bad, those are the things that you remember more than anything. Just grateful for my opportunity to get to be around him.’’
USA Today reported in September that Hendricks had informed friends of his intention to retire, but Hendricks told Los Angeles Times writer Bill Shaikin soon after that he was undecided.
