Veteran pitcher Kyle Hendricks of the Chicago Cubs is totally healthy to begin spring training.
“I just wanted to be that guy again taking the ball every fifth day and being a consistent force for my teammates and giving us a chance to win,” Hendricks said. “It was so disappointing just not being able to play and doing what I loved for that long. So yeah, standing here now this year It’s much better having a typical spring ahead of me, being well and prepared to leave at this time.”
The lone survivor of the Cubs’ championship squad has been getting to know Craig Counsell, the new manager who not only took over for his previous boss but also David Ross, a friend and former colleague.
“He has been my career man’s everything. “I am so grateful to him,” Hendricks exclaimed about Ross. “On the other hand, you can see the results of bringing Craig in. It’s incredible. Seeing him play for the Brewers on the opposing side for so many years. He took a long time to get along with our butt man. I start by asking him questions such, “What do you got for?”
Me? For me, what are you people seeing off?You know, and making that kind of improvement.”
Counsell said, “You’re kind of always inquisitive about their perspective and vice versa when you compete against someone and have done it for a long time. You can utilize those interactions to learn a lot of minor things, so they are undoubtedly helpful.”
Counsell is aware that Hendricks is worth more than just grabbing the ball once every five days. Hendricks was praised by him as a fantastic teammate, but Counsell is aware of the veteran’s potency on the mound.
Over the previous two seasons, Hendricks started seven games against Counsell’s Brewers, and the Cubs won five of them when he was on the mound.