Sports
Why Kyle Hendricks joined the Tigers, not the Cubs, as a special assistant
CHICAGO — Kyle Hendricks returning to the Chicago Cubs in a different capacity seemed like a natural next step — if one of the most valuable pitchers in franchise history wanted to join a front office and learn a different side of the business.
With a young family, financial security and a Dartmouth degree, the extent to which Hendricks wanted to stay involved in the game was unclear.
A surprising answer came this week when The Athletic first reported that the Detroit Tigers hired Hendricks as a special assistant who will focus on pitching development.
“I talked to Kyle, and we’ve got a great relationship,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Friday at Wrigley Field. “We talked about his decision to go there before he did it.”
Hendricks, 36, retired as a player after pitching for the Los Angeles Angels last season, a meaningful last stop given his Southern California roots. Otherwise, a pitcher nicknamed “The Professor” for his cerebral approach spent his entire major-league career with the Cubs.
Hendricks was the winning pitcher the night the Cubs captured their first National League pennant in 71 years, as well as the Game 7 starter in the 2016 World Series, one of the biggest moments in Chicago sports history.
“The Cubs and Kyle have a great relationship,” Hoyer said. “I’ll let him sort of explain why, and what his role is and how he’s going about it. But, certainly, there’s nothing negative there. I think I’ve said it a million times: I can’t imagine an easier and better teammate for 10 years. So, everything’s great with Kyle.”
Hendricks did not immediately respond to a text message from The Athletic. A source close to Hendricks said the former player remains on good terms with the Cubs, framing this as a preliminary step to gain some exposure to baseball operations and see what he may want to pursue in the future.
The source also cited Hendricks’ established connections to Detroit’s front office, which features several officials who worked for the Cubs during their 2016 championship season. That group includes Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris, general manager Jeff Greenberg and vice president of baseball strategy Alex Smith.
Harris, in particular, talked with Hendricks about a potential role with the Tigers during a 10-year reunion for the 2016 World Series team, according to league sources, and the conversations continued after that January event in Chicago.
As a Cubs official, Harris took a lead role in negotiating the four-year, $55.5 million contract extension that Hendricks signed before Opening Day 2019. During that ensuing period, Hendricks’ consistency and professionalism convinced the Cubs to pick up their $16.5 million option for 2024.
Although that season did not go as planned for Hendricks (4-12, 5.92 ERA) or the Cubs (83-79), the club still managed to give him a proper send-off. He understood that he could have been released during the middle of the year and appreciated the chance for a farewell at the Friendly Confines.
In a vintage performance, Hendricks tossed 7 1/3 scoreless innings in a 3-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds, moving a pitcher who did not seek the limelight or lose his composure.
“I feel so lucky and so happy,” Hendricks said on Sept. 28, 2024. “I had my whole family here today in the stands. I’m sure they’re crying. Just for the fans to give me that — from the moment I showed up to the ballpark today, kind of celebrating me — part of me hates it. I hate all that attention. But at the end, I know I have to soak in these moments.
“That’s what the Wrigley fans are there for. They are so special. They’re the best in the world. To play here at Wrigley Field, I’m just such a lucky guy.”
>
Watch BBC Sport Wales archive highlights as Craig Bellamy scores Wales’ 1998 winner against Denmark.
Bobby Gould was Wales manager and Bellamy describes his late winner (Available to UK users only).
Bellamy’s Wales will face Denmark in the Nations League on Sunday, 27 November (17:00 BST) with live coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC One Wales, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and 5 Live, BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.
Read more: Bellamy eyes more history against wounded Denmark
>
Oregon’s season was on the brink after its start QB was injured. Here’s how it rallied behind Dylan Raiola and thrived instead.
>
International Test match
Australia (24) 42
Tries: Ikitau 2, Donaldson, Wilson, Jorgensen Cons: Lonergan 4 Pens: Lonergan 3
South Africa (17) 38
Tries: Grobbelaar, van der Merwe, penalty try, van den Berg, Nche Cons: Pollard 2, Mngomezulu 2 Pens: Pollard
Australia were reduced to 11 men but dug in for an extraordinary win against a much-changed South Africa side as they beat the world champions 42-38 in Perth.
The Wallabies excelled with some vibrant attacking rugby, scoring five tries against the back-to-back World Cup winners to lead by 25 points with 16 minutes left.
But then a manic spell of four yellow cards in nine minutes left the hosts overrun, with South Africa mounting a comeback that ultimately fell just short.
The visitors made 13 changes after beating New Zealand in Baltimore but still fielded a strong starting XV, which boasted 240 caps in the second row alone.
But a year out from hosting the World Cup, and a year on from being soundly beaten on home soil by the Lions, it was the home side who impressed before their bizarre late collapse.
The teams traded early penalties before Springboks hooker Johan Grobbelaar drove over for the first try of the match after a powerful maul.
Australia responded well with a wave of pressure which was rewarded when centre Len Ikitau drove over from a metre out.
Ikitau then flew over for his second after the Boks made a mess of a high ball kicked through, but the lead lasted just three minutes.
South Africa played the ball quickly and flung it out wide with Edwill van der Merwe on the end of a stunning break to score in the corner.
The high level continued as the hosts took the lead again before the break. After 14 patient but quick phases, the Wallabies whipped the ball from right to left to find fly-half Ben Donaldson free to score in the corner.
The Springboks had strength in depth to call on, and coach Rassie Erasmus made all eight changes early in the second half with his side down by 10 points.
But it was Australia who continued to dominate. Captain Harry Wilson was denied a try as his foot was in touch but just seconds later he did burrow over the line close to the posts.
Wing Max Jorgensen then sprinted the length of the pitch to score a stunning solo score after South Africa fumbled the ball to make it 42-17.
Wilson was then sin-binned and South Africa finally got their first score of the second half with a penalty try, with Ryan Lonergan yellow carded as well.
The Wallabies were down to 13 and a crossfield kick found Van der Merwe in the corner but the wing dropped the ball before he could ground it.
Australia wing Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i was then sin-binned as well to leave Australia three men down and replacement scrum-half Morne van den Berg scrambled in to cut the lead to 11 points.
Remarkably Australia then appeared to have scored again as Tom Wright intercepted a pass to run in – only for the try to be ruled out and Hunter Paisami shown a fourth yellow card for a dangerous tackle in the build-up.
South Africa had so much space and scored again through Ox Nche to cut the lead to four but time ran out.
Australia: Wright, Jorgensen, Ikitau, Paisami, Sua’ali’i, Donaldson, Lonergan; Bell, Paenga-Amosa, Alaalatoa, Salakaia-Loto, Williams, Valetini, McReight, Wilson
Replacements: Pollard, Ross, Tupou, Shaw, Hooper, Tizzano, McDermott, Potter
Yellow cards: Wilson 68, Lonergan 71, Sua’ali’i 73, Paisami 77
South Africa: Fassi, Van der Merwe, Moodie, Esterhuizen, Hooker, Pollard, Jantjies; Wessels, Grobbelaar, Porthen, Etzebeth, Mostert, De Villiers, Louw, Van Staden
Replacements: Marx, Nche, Louw, De Jager, Wiese, Van den Berg, Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Horn
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
>
Craig Bellamy scores 1998 winner for Wales against Denmark
How Oregon turned emotion after Dante Moore's injury into a signature win at USC
New ‘Monster Strike: Mera×Death: Shinigami to Boku no Ijou na Koi’ Announced for Winter 2027
-
movies4 months agoSearch For Canadian TV Actor Stewart McLean Now Homicide Investigation
-
Fashion9 years agoThese ’90s fashion trends are making a comeback in 2017
-
Fashion9 years ago
According to Dior Couture, this taboo fashion accessory is back
-
Fashion9 years ago
Model Jocelyn Chew’s Instagram is the best vacation you’ve ever had
-
Fashion9 years ago
Emily Ratajkowski channels back-to-school style
-
Fashion9 years ago
9 Celebrities who have spoken out about being photoshopped
-
Anime4 months agoRurouni Kenshin: Hokkaido Arc Manga Takes 1-Issue Break – News
-
Anime3 months agoHIDIVE to Stream English Dubs for The World Is Dancing, The Forsaken Saintess and Her Foodie Roadtrip in Another World, The Dangers in My Heart: The Movie Anime – News