Kyle Hendricks—the former Chicago Cubs pitcher, hero of the 2016 World Series championship—has just made the baseball world tear up as he shared his emotional state after officially retiring. He admitted that he “cried every night” since making the decision, and choked up: “Leaving this place is not easy for me, but there are things that still need to stop…”
CHICAGO — The last remaining player from the 2016 championship core has officially said goodbye. Kyle Hendricks, known to a generation of fans as “The Professor,” has announced his retirement from baseball after a 12-year career.
But the announcement was far from a simple farewell. In a raw, emotional interview, the 35-year-old pitcher “broke down in tears” while revealing the “gut-wrenching” toll the decision has taken on him.
Hendricks, the stoic, cerebral pitcher who famously started Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, showed a side of himself fans have rarely seen, admitting the separation from the game and the city he loves has been “excruciating.”
“I’ve cried every night since I finalized the decision,” Hendricks said, his voice choking with emotion. “You think you’re prepared for it, but you’re not. Leaving this place… leaving the Cubs… it’s not easy for me. But there are things that still need to stop.”
The End of an Era
The “Professor,” who spent 11 of his 12 seasons in Chicago, defined an era. In an age of 100-mph fastballs, Hendricks was a “throwback,” a master of command who built a “brilliant career” on intellect, location, and a devastating changeup.
His career was highlighted by the 2016 season, where he:
- Won the National League ERA title with a 2.13 ERA.
- Finished 3rd in the Cy Young voting.
- Clinched the pennant for the Cubs, shutting down the Dodgers in Game 6 of the NLCS.
- Started Game 7 of the World Series.
After his contract with the Cubs ended in 2024—a farewell that included a “tearful” final start and curtain call at Wrigley Field—Hendricks spent his final 2025 season with the Los Angeles Angels.
A “Heartbreaking” Goodbye
The decision to retire was not easy. Hendricks admitted that the mental and physical grind had finally caught up to him, but that “nothing” could have prepared him for the “overwhelming sadness” of letting go.
“This organization, this city… it’s all I’ve ever known,” Hendricks said. “It’s the right time for my family, but my heart is having a hard time catching up. The fans, my teammates… that’s the part that makes you ‘tear up.’ It’s a bond I’ll never have again. And that’s what hurts.”
The baseball world has been “rocked” by his raw honesty. Fans and former teammates have poured out their support, thanking the “hero of 2016” not just for the championship, but for his “quiet dignity,” his “unwavering class,” and now, his final, “heartbreaking” show of vulnerability.
