Boston Crimson Sox aid pitcher and candidate for this upcoming season’s nearer’s function Liam Hendriks is setting sights on a lifetime objective.
Hendriks, whereas prepping for his belated debut with the Crimson Sox, revealed that whereas turning into an MLB pitcher has been nice, there’s a fair larger bucket record achievement in thoughts: pitching within the Olympics. The 35-year-old Australian native is eyeing the upcoming 2028 Summer season Olympics in Los Angeles because the potential dream-fulfiller.
“Rising up in Australia, that’s the pinnacle,” Hendriks informed MLB Community Radio. “It wasn’t Main League Baseball. It wasn’t the NFL. It wasn’t the NBA. It was at all times the Olympics. The Olympics is the head of sports activities in a whole lot of Australians’ eyes, and that was the identical for me. That’s what it was. You’re an Olympian, that’s the coolest factor you’ll be able to ever be and that’s the one factor I wish to do. I might like to be an Olympian.”
It’s been two years since Hendriks final stepped foot on an enormous league mound. He pitched in aid for the Chicago White Sox in 2023 and recorded a 5.40 ERA throughout 5 innings logged throughout 5 appearances after present process therapy for non-Hodgkin lymphoma — Hendriks missed the beginning of 2023 and returned in Could.
The Crimson Sox signed Hendriks the next offseason to a two-year, $10 million contract.
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Hendriks, whereas written off final season amid restoration from Tommy John surgical procedure, labored his tail off to make an unbelievable return — even because the season neared its finish and Boston’s playoff hopes had dwindled. The fierce right-hander demonstrated his dedication and willpower by way of rehab appearances and bullpen periods at Fenway Park.
Boston didn’t acquire any on-field contribution from Hendriks final season, however the charismatic veteran offered the clubhouse with loads of persona.
This go-around, Hendriks, whereas conscious of the upcoming Olympics, will first give attention to serving to get the Crimson Sox again on observe. Hendriks will be a part of a slew of offseason additions together with Garrett Crochet, Walker Buehler and Aroldis Chapman, and Lucas Giolito who additionally missed the whole thing of 2024 — after present process UCL surgical procedure.
“I obtained a model new elbow so I can play for so long as I have to, to ensure I develop into an Olympian sooner or later,” Hendriks stated.
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Baseball was not performed within the 2024 Paris Olympics and was dropped in 2008 earlier than being picked again up for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Again in 2023, baseball — together with softball, cricket, lacrosse, squash and flag soccer — have been added the LA’s 2028 Olympics, which can give Hendriks a shot at lastly representing Australia.
