Kyle Hendricks gets a bit of sentimentality on Sunday.
The former Chicago Cubs starting pitcher is on the opposite side, taking the ball for the Angels against the Cubbies.
And before the start, USA Today's Bob Nightengale foreshadowed what it could really mean:
"It also may be be the last time. Hendricks, 35, could retire after the season."
This appears to be the first mention of a possible Hendricks retirement. Nightengale wouldn't bring it up unless he's at least heard whispers about it.
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Hendricks has done incredibly well to make it this far.
He was an eighth-round pick by the Rangers out of Dartmouth in 2011.
He was traded to the Cubs, and he made his MLB debut in 2014.
Hendricks had a 3.68 ERA in 11 years with the Cubs.
That included an ERA title in 2016, when he had a 2.13 mark, the same season the Cubs broke their curse and won the World Series.
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Hendricks was a throwback pitcher in an era filled with velocity, moving his high-80s fastball around to hit corners over and over again, a bit Maddux-like.
He moved on to the Angels this season, and he has a 4.93 ERA in 24 starts.
Hendricks likely would receive interest as an innings eater this offseason if he chose to stick around.
But if the end is near, it's certainly been an amazing run.
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