“ONCE A CUB, ALWAYS A CUB” — Emotional Farewell at Wrigley Field as Chicago Cubs Honor Kyle Hendricks 🥹💙
It was one of those nights that reminded everyone why baseball is more than a game — it’s a family. As the sun dipped behind the ivy-covered walls of Wrigley Field, fans rose to their feet, tears in their eyes, to bid farewell to a legend: Kyle Hendricks, affectionately known as “The Professor.”
For 11 years, Hendricks embodied what it meant to be a Cub — calm, humble, and quietly brilliant. From his unforgettable Game 7 start in the 2016 World Series to his countless clutch performances, he gave the city of Chicago something more than victories: he gave them hope, consistency, and heart.
During the ceremony, the Cubs played a moving 11-minute video chronicling his journey — from his first pitch in a Cubs uniform to the moment he helped end a 108-year championship drought. The crowd cheered, then fell silent, as the players walked to the mound, each laying down a single blue rose — one for each year of his Cubs career.
To honor his impact beyond baseball, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts announced the creation of the Hendricks Legacy Scholarship, a fund to support Chicago students pursuing education — a fitting tribute to “The Professor,” who spent his career teaching through grace and discipline.
“Kyle wasn’t just our pitcher,” Ricketts said. “He was our heartbeat.”
As Hendricks waved to the fans one last time, the scoreboard lit up with the words: “Once a Cub, Always a Cub.”
And for a brief moment, time stood still in Wrigleyville.