MESA, Ariz. – When you ask Cubs’ pitchers both young and old, who they look up to on the staff, you’ll hear a common name.
Kyle Hendricks.
Whether they’re a soft tosser or approaching triple digits, the organization’s players look up to Hendricks as a role model and someone to emulate.
Hendricks has never been the center of attention and despite being the ace of the Cubs’ rotation, don’t expect that to change anytime soon.
That’s not stopping him from finding his voice in the Cubs’ clubhouse – a clubhouse that has changed significantly in terms of vocal leaders since he got to the big leagues in 2014.
Growing into leadership doesn’t happen overnight and for the 31-year-old right-hander, it took time. But with the confidence of his manager, his teammates and a resume to back it up, Hendricks is embracing his new role.
“I’m more comfortable with myself [as a leader],” Hendricks told the Sun-Times. “I think a lot of that has to do with just the organization and the people we have around here. They’ve always instilled confidence in me and told me to be who I am. Be the pitcher I’ve always been, they haven’t forced me to be someone not. Every year I’ve come in, it’s been more and more comfortable.
The Cubs’ rotation has always been filled with workhorses and personalities over the last seven years. None of whom were afraid to say what was on their mind. Pitchers like Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, John Lackey, and even Jason Hammel were always out in the forefront and not only seen as productive pitchers, but clubhouse leaders as well.
“Those were just big dudes in general,” Hendricks said with a laugh. “When I was behind those guys, it was awesome learning from them watching how they went about their work day in and day out. I took so much of that and use it in my routine now.”
When Arrieta left Chicago in 2017, he and Lester were the voices of the Cubs’ rotation and while watching from afar over the last three years, he’s been watching the young pitcher he helped mentor not only become one of the game’s best starting pitchers, but become a mentor himself, passing information down to younger players.
“Kyle has made tremendous strides every year of his career,” Arrieta said. “Kyle has been the same guy forever in terms of his demeanor, how he carries himself, how he treats people, and his work ethic. I just think that it’s more visible now than it has been at certain times in the past. And not that he was overshadowed or not that he should ever have been overshadowed. But certain guys have garnered a little bit more attention and that’s understandable, but Kyle has remained true to himself.”
You could probably define Hendricks’ leadership style as subtle. It’s going to look different from how others like Anthony Rizzo or Jason Heyward do it, but it’s proven to be effective.
“Leadership can come in different forms. I guess it depends on the individual that’s coming from,” Hendricks said. “The leaders we have around here, the things I see are number one work ethic – just the way they go about their business day in and day out. The energy they bring to the ballpark.
“Every action they do, the words that come out of their mouth are always in the affirmative. I feel like leaders just keep things positive. Always looking forward, but learning from what’s going on around you.”
“The leadership qualities that he has are really quiet and unassuming, but so great and detailed when it comes to the things that have helped him,” manager David Ross said. “I think with the type of pitchers we have, his leadership role has grown even more in the way that he talks to the other pitchers about what he uses and what he thinks.”
Hendricks can be seen around the Cubs’ complex taking young players aside and having conversations with them about pitching, baseball and life and his influence has been felt throughout Cubs camp this spring.
But that’s not new to Hendricks, in fact, you can say it’s a rite of passage for Cubs aces. It’s the same thing guys like Arrieta or, most recently Lester did for him when he was learning how to be a big leaguer.
“I have always loved having those conversations with the young guys,” Hendricks said. “Jon Lester had such a big impact while he was here and not seeing his face around here every day definitely changes things a little bit.”
“I kind of take that [role] on. Not to go out there and be him. I’m never going to be Jon Lester, but keep being Kyle go out there and have these conversations like they used to have with me.”
