The last man standing from the 2016 Chicago Cubs championship team was Kyle Hendricks. In what was likely his last outing as a Cub “The Professor” went out in style pitching 7.1 scoreless inning giving up two hits and two walks while getting two strikeouts. One of his most vintage performances.
There are many directions we could take this conversation. As a result, we will start by looking at his history since being drafted by the Rangers; this will include a comparison of his debut and tenure with the Cubs to that of Greg Maddux in the 1980s and ’90s. Then we will wrap up by looking at whether or not he will retire.
Hendricks has had quite the journey since being drafted by the Texas Rangers in the eighth round of the 2011 MLB Draft. Though he never pitched for the Rangers, his path to success truly began when he was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2012. Hendricks was part of a package that sent Cubs starting pitcher Ryan Dempster to Texas in a deal that seemed minor at the time but turned into a cornerstone move for the Cubs future.
Hendricks made his Cubs debut in 2014 and quickly established himself as a steady, intelligent pitcher. His style, often drawing comparisons to Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, relies on pinpoint accuracy, changing speeds, and inducing weak contact, rather than overpowering hitters with velocity. This finesse style earned him the nickname “The Professor” and made him an anchor for the Cubs’ rotation, especially during their 2016 World Series run.
When looking at Hendricks’ career, it’s notable that his performances in April have been challenging. His career ERA in those months is significantly higher compared to the rest of the season, with April sitting around 5.60. 2024 was a tough year for him, as he has struggled to find the consistency that made him a Cy Young candidate in 2016. His ERA was quite high this year, and he wasn’t been able to string together the same quality starts we’ve come to expect. Hendricks returned from that injury in 2023 but struggled in his 24 starts. His struggles over the last two seasons have likely been a lingering effect of his shoulder injury which limited him to just 16 starts in 2022, disrupting his rhythm and delaying his usual reliable form.
When comparing Hendricks’ tenure with the Cubs to Greg Maddux’s, there are some fascinating parallels. Hendricks, like Maddux, was known for his control and precision rather than power. He was drafted by the Tribune-owned Cubs in 1984 and became one of the most dominant pitchers in the league. However, in a long-lamented move by Cubs fans, Maddux left via free agency after winning the 1992 Cy Young Award because the Tribune company would not match the Atlanta Braves offer. He would cement his Hall of Fame legacy in Atlanta. Hendricks, playing under the Ricketts’ ownership, has been fortunate to remain a Cub.
Interestingly, Maddux did return to Chicago in 2004, providing the Cubs with his veteran presence after being with the Braves for ten years and won three more Cy Young Awards in 1993, 1994, and 1995. His second go-around with the Cubs didn’t reach the same heights as his early days, but it was still meaningful for both the pitcher and the fans who revered him. In 2006, the Cubs traded Maddux to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a rebuild. He would sign with the San Diego Padres in 2007 and play at Petco Park before being traded back to the Dodgers in 2008 and would retire at the end of that season.
Hendricks’ time with the Cubs may not have ended as dramatically as Maddux’s first tenure, but the similarities between their pitching styles, their impact on the Cubs franchise, and their longevity make for a fascinating comparison. Both have left an indelible mark on Chicago baseball, and Hendricks continues to be a key figure for the Cubs as they navigate their future.
Hendricks, a longtime anchor of the Cubs’ pitching staff, has had a remarkable career, but his future in baseball is uncertain. He’ll turn 35 this December, and with the injuries that have plagued him recently, particularly his shoulder issues, there’s growing speculation that retirement could be on the horizon as soon as this winter.
Let’s side track here for a moment and take a look at some significant things Hendricks has said over the last week as well as the most significant thing Cubs President of Baseball Operations said:
For the last week Jed has been generally saying that Kyle told him he just wanted to take in the moment. Then on Saturday Hoyer was visiting the broadcast booth during the game and said, “I don’t think he’d ever been through that before, where he felt sort of lost,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. “For him to kind of re-double his efforts to get back there was really impressive.” (via Cubs.com)
Reading between the lines of what Hoyer said this sounds a lot like Hendricks will returning as a leader in the clubhouse next season unless he retires in which case he will likely be back in some team management capacity.
After the final out Hendricks was interviewed on the field by Elise Menaker. At the end of the interview she asked him to what it all means to him and he said, “It was obviously a struggle for me this year… have one more good one in front of these fans… Best place in the world, best fans in the world.” She then asked him what his message to fans was and he said, “Just love you guys… It’s going to take me a long time to sift through everything and reminisce on everything but its all because of you guys.” (via Marquee Network)
Following the game he also spoke to the media in the press room and said, “You feel it all, you feel all the emotions, just so, so lucky. And so happy. Just for the fans to give me that … part of me hates it. I hate all that attention, but at the end, I know I have to soak in these moments … I’m such a lucky guy.” (via ESPN) During the post-game media briefing he also said, “The door isn’t closed here, it’s most likely going to end up being somewhere else, and it is what it is. I’m just always going to have these memories to look back on. All the great teammates I’ve had along the road, those are the things I’m always going to remember.” (via Cubs.com)
Throughout the last week I’ve heard many reporters on television and the radio saying that Hendricks had told them he’d play be willing to play for the major league minimum in 2025. That paired with all of the above quotes sounds a lot like he will either return on a deal similar to the one Cody Bellinger signed when he came to Chicago in 2023 or retire. The only question in our minds should be, If he does return on major league minimum will it be with the Cubs?
No matter what he will always be remembered in Chicago for his finesse rather than overpowering stuff, but the wear and tear on his arm is starting to take a toll. So, before we wrap this commemorative article up let’s summarize Hendricks injury history. His 2022 season was cut short after just 16 starts due to a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the rest of the year. While he made his return in 2023, it’s been clear that he hasn’t been the same dominant pitcher Cubs fans have come to know. His ERA has risen, and the consistency that once defined him has been harder to maintain.
Here’s the thing, folks: Given the physical challenges and the demands of pitching at the Major League level, it wouldn’t be surprising if Hendricks chooses to walk away this offseason. At 35, with a World Series ring, an ERA title, and the distinction of being a key part of the Cubs’ 2016 championship team, he’s accomplished more than most pitchers dream of. Retiring now would allow him to go out on his own terms, with a legacy as one of the most successful and beloved Cubs of the modern era.
With that… we all know nothing is set in stone, Hendricks’ future is definitely a storyline to watch this winter. If he does decide to retire, it will mark for sure mark the end of an era, closing the chapter on one of the franchise’s steadiest, most reliable pitchers.
If you cannot play with them, then root for them!