Liam Johnson Hendriks
Liam Johnson Hendriks (born 10 February 1989), nicknamed “Slydah”, is an Australian professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States. He previously played for the Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, and Oakland Athletics. He has been an All-Star three times (2019, 2021 and 2022) and was the American League’s Reliever of the Year in 2020 and 2021.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 06, 2023: Liam Hendriks #31 of the Chicago White Sox in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 6, 2023 in Bronx, New York. The White Sox defeated the Yankees 3-2.
Born in Katanning and raised in Perth, Western Australia, Hendriks began playing tee-ball when he was five (rather than the traditional Australian summer game of cricket), before transitioning to baseball at the age of ten. He also played Australian rules football. Hendriks continued playing both baseball and football through high school at Sacred Heart College, Sorrento.
Hendriks’s paternal grandparents emigrated to Australia from the Netherlands. His father, Geoff Hendriks, played over 150 games of senior football for the West Perth Football Club in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) [2]. Under the father–son rule used by the Australian Football League (AFL) at the time, Liam was eligible to be drafted by the West Coast Eagles had he decided to pursue a career in football. However, he decided to pursue baseball and was signed by the Minnesota Twins on his eighteenth birthday.
In 2017 and 2019, Hendriks was the Oakland Athletics’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award after his work with Big League Impact and Striking Out Poverty in their efforts to end poverty in the Dominican Republic. Read more
Liam Hendriks’ journey from beating cancer to returning to MLB
IN MID-DECEMBER, when Liam Hendriks squinted at the PET scan of his body and saw hundreds of spots illuminated by radioactive dye, his first thought was that he looked like his dalmatian, Olive. Hendriks was diagnosed earlier that month with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a blood cancer, and he had figured it was Stage 1, maybe Stage 2, easily treatable. The imaging — from his neck to his ankles, his blood to his bones — told a different story.
For the previous six months, Hendriks had wondered why the lymph node on the back of his neck had swelled to the size of a walnut and why the ones under his jawline jutted out and fattened his face. His wife, Kristi, saw them during a game mid-season, and though she knew that the veins in his neck bulge in some photos, this looked off. Maybe it was the light hitting him in unflattering fashion or sweat warping the image. When Hendriks returned home that night and Kristi inspected the lumps, she asked what they were. Hendriks didn’t know.
A blood test came back clean, and because Hendriks was diagnosed at 18 with autoimmune hepatitis — a disease that affects the liver and flared again in 2015 — the working theory was that his body was fighting off an illness and the inflamed lymph nodes were likely a product of that. Hendriks’ back hurt more than usual, his elbow was barking, he wasn’t recovering like he once did, but hey, that’s life in the 30s for a professional athlete. He saved 37 more games for the Chicago White Sox, booked another All-Star appearance, continued one of the great stories in baseball of the past half-decade, in which a long underestimated, tossed-aside-five-times, profane, preening, impossibly nice guy emerged as one of the most productive relief pitchers in baseball. Read more and see the ESPN Video.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
A story that transcends baseball. Chicago White Sox reliever Liam Hendriks takes the mound on May 29 in his first major league appearance less than 5 months after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He trotted from the bullpen to a thunderous standing ovation from fans at Guaranteed Rate Field. Liam has shown strength and courage throughout his fight. Liam has been an inspiration to White Sox fans, players, and coaches. Liam Hendriks began the 2023 season on the injured list to continue his treatment for non-Hodgkins lymphoma. He publicly revealed his cancer diagnosis on January 8, completed treatment on April 3 and announced he was cancer free on April 20. The reliever went 4-4 with a 2.81 ERA (18 ER/57.2 IP), 37 saves, .210 (44-210) opponents average, .620 opponents OPS, 1.04 WHIP and 85 strikeouts (13.27 per 9.0 IP) in 58 relief appearances last season, his second with the White Sox. He ranked among the American League relief leaders in saves (2nd), strikeouts per 9.0 IP (3rd), save percentage (3rd, 90.2), strikeouts (6th) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (9th, 5.31). Hendriks is a two-time Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year Award winner (2020-21).
MORE READING
Joondalup Times
Mark Donaldson
October 23, 2015
Perth father proud of son Liam Hendriks’ record breaking effort for Toronto Blue Jays against Kansas City Royals in Major League Baseball playoffs
Geoff and Liam Hendriks in the US in 2015.
THE Perth father of Major League Baseball pitcher Liam Hendriks has spoken of his son’s record-breaking feat for the Toronto Blue Jays as the side battles Kansas City for a place in the World Series against the New York Mets.
Geoff Hendriks, a top sportsman in his own right as a life member of WAFL club West Perth, has had some early starts lately watching from Perth as Liam’s Blue Jays face the Royals in the best-of-seven American League Championship Series as part of the MLB playoffs. Continue reading
WHO IS LIAM JOHNSON HENDRIKS?
Liam Hendriks
Liam Hendriks is an Australian professional baseball pitcher who has made a significant impact in the world of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on February 10, 1989, in Perth, Western Australia, Hendriks has emerged as one of the premier relief pitchers in the game, known for his dominant performances and fierce competitiveness.
Hendriks’ journey in baseball began in his native Australia, where he showcased his talent at a young age. His impressive skills caught the attention of scouts, leading him to sign with the Minnesota Twins organisation in 2007. From there, he embarked on a path of continuous growth and development, refining his pitching mechanics and honing his command on the mound.
Throughout his career, Hendriks has played for multiple teams in the MLB, including the Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, and Oakland Athletics. However, it was with the Oakland Athletics that he truly flourished. As a member of the Athletics, Hendriks established himself as one of the premier closers in the league, earning All-Star selections and numerous accolades. Continue reading
Liam Johnson Hendriks. Liam Johnson Hendriks. Liam Johnson Hendriks.