By: Elliott Chu

In the Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago’s south side, 23,599 fans rose to their feet, excited to see the return of their beloved pitcher, Liam Hendriks. After battling five months of stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Hendriks emerged as a survivor. Following many exhausting nights of treatment, Liam Hendriks finally regained enough strength for the 2023 MLB season.

Behind the scenes, people don’t know that Liam Hendriks was working his heart out just to be able to get back onto the field. “I know that even if I’m not physically 100 percent, I can will myself to be the best on that field. That’s the way I need to attack everything,” he says.

While the MLB community was celebrating Liam Hendriks’s return, he was frustrated with himself. While playing in the minor leagues to get back into shape, his 10.80 ERA was much worse than his 2.81 mark in the majors last season. Also, his return to the White Sox was delayed with elbow inflammation that kept him on the 15-day injured list.

Even though the 34-year-old will do whatever he can to return to All-Star form, he is already happy with his 14-year MLB career. Battling cancer will be a major feat for Hendriks. “I’ve accomplished almost everything I’ve ever wanted to accomplish,” Hendriks says. “My goal moving forward is to try to help that next person out, and that’s something that I take a lot more pride in than anything I do on the field.”

Hendriks doesn’t feel shy about talking to people about his cancer battle. “What’s 15, 25, 30 seconds to help fill someone up? I want to let people know that they’re not alone, so if I say the same thing 15 times-but it’s that one story that connects to someone-I’ve done something,” he says.

Hendriks has always gone the extra mile in a rain delay against the Orioles last year, he was in the corner of the bullpen signing autographs and talking to fans for well over an hour. Hendriks lets people know we need to be an encouraging figure to all going through though them, whether it be cancer or any other struggle. As the recipient of the 2023 Jimmy V award for perseverance, he viewed his role not just as an option but as a responsibility.

Hendrik’s MLB career is not over; he is working his way back to his All-Star form. He is ready to become the Hendriks that batters feared once again.