It's rare to see a player spend a full decade with one organization in the modern MLB, where players are constantly switching teams due to free agency and roster churn.
That's part of what makes Kyle Hendricks special. He's spent 10 seasons with the Chicago Cubs and is getting ready for his 11th. He's also one of the only players left from the Cubs' 2016 World Series team.
At Spring Training on Saturday, fellow pitcher and teammate Carl Edwards Jr. explained why he thinks Hendricks has lasted so long with Chicago.
"It shows loyalty to this team. It shows that they really like him, and I really feel like he's a great fit for the pitching staff" said Edwards, who is back for his second stint with Chicago after pitching there from 2015-19.
Edwards calls Hendricks "The Professor," the same nickname given to former Cubs and Atlanta Braves legend Greg Maddux. Both pitchers relied on their craftiness, control and offspeed pitches to retire batters rather than overpowering velocity. Hendricks' 6.1 K/9 last year was well below the MLB average of 8.6, but he still posted a solid 3.74 ERA across 24 starts.
Edwards also credits previous Cubs veterans like Jon Lester and John Lackey for mentoring Hendricks and teaching him how to be a good teammate.
"I think he's just learned from the guys before him that were with the '16 team," Edwards said. "He understands what it takes to be a veteran. He understands what it takes to really lead a pitching staff. I mean, his work says it all."
Hendricks is 93-69 with a 3.48 ERA in 1,449 2/3 career innings with Chicago. The 34-year-old is heading into the final season of his five-year, $70.5 million contract and is set to be a free agent after this season.
Based on what Hendricks means to the franchise and the pitching staff, don't be surprised if the Cubs re-sign him if he remains effective this year.
More must-reads: