Liam Hendriks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Liam Hendriks |
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Hendriks with the White Sox in 2023
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| Boston Red Sox – No. 31 | |||
| Pitcher | |||
| Born: 10 February 1989 Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
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| debut | |||
| 6 September 2011, for the Minnesota Twins | |||
| MLB statistics (through May 27, 2025) |
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| Win–loss record | 33–36 | ||
| Earned run average | 3.88 | ||
| Strikeouts | 739 | ||
| Saves | 116 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Liam Johnson Hendriks, born on February 10, 1989, is an Australian professional baseball pitcher. He currently plays for the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball (MLB). Liam has also played for several other MLB teams. These include the Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, and Chicago White Sox.
He has been chosen as an All-Star three times. These were in 2019, 2021, and 2022. He was also named the American League's Reliever of the Year in both 2020 and 2021. One of his most inspiring achievements was winning the AL MLB Comeback Player of the Year Award for the 2023 season.
Contents
Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Liam Hendriks was born and grew up in Perth, Western Australia. He started playing tee-ball when he was five years old. This was a bit different from most Australian kids who often play cricket. He then switched to baseball when he was ten.
Liam also played Australian rules football during his school years. He continued playing both sports through high school at Sacred Heart College, Sorrento. Even though he could have pursued football, he chose baseball. He signed with the Minnesota Twins on his eighteenth birthday.
Helping Others: The Roberto Clemente Award
Liam Hendriks is known for his work off the field too. He has been nominated five times for the Roberto Clemente Award. This award recognizes players who are great at baseball and also do a lot of charity work.
He was nominated in 2017 and 2019 by the Oakland Athletics. He worked with groups like Big League Impact to help end poverty in the Dominican Republic. The Chicago White Sox nominated him in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Professional Baseball Journey
Liam Hendriks has had a long and exciting career in professional baseball. He started in Australia before moving to Major League Baseball.
Starting in Australia
In 2008, Liam pitched for the Perth Heat in Australia. He helped them win the Claxton Shield series. He had a great record of 3 wins and 0 losses, with a low 1.90 ERA. He also had 25 strikeouts, which was the most in the competition. For his excellent performance, he was named Rookie of the Year.
He returned to play for the Heat in the first season of the Australian Baseball League in 2010-11.
Playing for the Minnesota Twins
Liam joined the Minnesota Twins organization in 2007. He led his team in strikeouts with 52. He was also named one of the Twins' top prospects. After a back surgery in 2008, he still made the 2009 World Baseball Classic team. He was the youngest Australian player in that tournament.
In 2011, Liam was called up to the Minnesota Twins from their Triple-A team. He was named the Twins' Minor League Pitcher of the Year at the end of that season. He also became an All-Star for the New Britain Rock Cats.
After a strong spring training, Liam became one of the Twins' starting pitchers in 2012. On September 19, 2012, he earned his first Major League win against the Cleveland Indians.
Moving to Other Teams
Liam moved to several teams in 2013 and 2014. He was claimed by the Chicago Cubs and then the Baltimore Orioles. In February 2014, the Toronto Blue Jays claimed him. He started strong with the Blue Jays' Triple-A team, the Buffalo Bisons. He had a 5–0 record with a 1.46 ERA.
He made his Blue Jays debut on May 23, 2014, and earned a win. He was later traded to the Kansas City Royals in July 2014. After a short time with the Royals, he was traded back to the Toronto Blue Jays in October 2014.
Success with the Blue Jays and Athletics
In 2015, Liam pitched only as a reliever for the Blue Jays. He had a career-high 58 appearances. He finished with a 5–0 record and a 2.92 ERA. In the playoffs, he set a record in the 2015 American League Championship Series. He pitched 4 and 1/3 scoreless innings, getting more outs than batters faced. This broke an 85-year-old playoff record!
On November 20, 2015, Liam was traded to the Oakland Athletics. He continued to pitch well for them. In 2018, he became the first Australian-born player to start an MLB postseason game. This was in the 2018 American League Wild Card Game.
In 2019, Liam became the Athletics' closer. He was chosen for his first Major League Baseball All-Star Game. He had an amazing season with a 1.80 ERA and 25 saves. He continued his strong performance in 2020, with a 1.78 ERA and 14 saves.
Time with the Chicago White Sox
On January 11, 2021, Liam signed a big contract with the Chicago White Sox. He was named the AL Reliever of the Month twice that year. He also earned a save in the 2021 All-Star Game.
In 2021, Liam led the American League with 38 saves. He also had a great record of 8–3 and a 2.54 ERA. He won the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year Award for the second year in a row.
In 2022, Liam made his third All-Star game appearance. He finished the season with a 4–4 record and 37 saves.
Comeback from Cancer and Return to Play
Liam Hendriks faced a big challenge in January 2023 when he announced he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer. He began treatment right away. On April 5, 2023, he shared that he had finished chemotherapy. Just two weeks later, on April 20, he announced he was cancer-free!
He made his return to baseball on May 29, 2023. This was an incredible comeback story. However, he later had elbow inflammation and needed Tommy John surgery in August. He became a free agent after the 2023 season.
Joining the Boston Red Sox
In February 2024, the Boston Red Sox signed Liam Hendriks to a two-year contract. He started the 2024 season on the injured list while recovering from his surgery. He began playing in minor league rehab games in August 2024. In September, he was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award again by the Red Sox.
On April 19, 2025, Liam was activated by the Red Sox and made his return to the major leagues. He pitched in 14 games before being placed on the injured list again in May 2025 due to hip inflammation.
International Baseball
Liam has also represented Australia in international baseball. He was part of the 2009 World Baseball Classic team. He was the youngest Australian player in that tournament. He was also selected for the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
Personal Life
Liam Hendriks married his wife Kristi in 2013. He is a big fan of the Montreal Canadiens hockey team. He also supports the North Melbourne Football Club in Australian rules football.
His journey through cancer treatment and his return to baseball has been very inspiring to many people.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball players from Australia
