White Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks throws PERFECT inning in first game since cancer diagnosis

White Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks was cheered by minor league fans as he returned to the mound on Friday, then pitched a perfect inning in his first play since being diagnosed with cancer.

Hendriks, who pitched for Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, announced that he had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in January and not long after, on April 20, shared that he was cancer-free.

And after being congratulated by a PA announcement and both teams as he warmed up, the three-time All-Star wasted no time reminding everyone of his talents.

“Both teams got out and started clapping,” Hendriks told reporters afterwards.

“That is, don’t get me wrong, it’s really, really fun. I really appreciate it. It made me very emotional.

Hendriks announced in January that he had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma

“I’m an angry guy and it’s very hard to get angry when you know the other team is full of nice people. So a bit hard to get locked up in.”

It was difficult to say whether Hendriks had already been thrown off.

After entering the game in the seventh inning, he got a popout, strikeout and groundout.

But he knows the one-inning performance means much more than what he contributed on the field.

‘My wife made me realize how big this is for many people,’ said Hendriks afterwards.

“She told me it’s more about overcoming something extreme and what getting back on a hill so quickly means for people going through this right now. It’s much bigger than just me.’

He will throw again on Sunday.

A three-time All-Star, Hendriks placed third in the majors with 37 saves and made his third All-Star team last season. The Australian led the AL with a career-high 38 saves in 2021, after leaving Oakland to sign a three-year, $54 million contract with the White Sox.

Hendriks has 115 saves and a 3.81 ERA over 12 seasons with Minnesota, Toronto, Kansas City, Oakland and Chicago.

The 34-year-old married his wife, Kristi, in 2013. He thanked her earlier in April for staying by his side during his three-month diagnosis.

Hendriks has 115 saves and a 3.81 ERA over 12 seasons. Pictured with his wife of 10 years, Kristi

The 34-year-old previously posted several videos and photos documenting his treatment

“You held my hand every step of the way,” he wrote in a message to his wife of 10 years. “You were my voice of confidence and always made me feel loved and safe through it all.

‘I love you.’

Outside of baseball, the Perth-born right-hand man is a hockey fan who is a fan of the Montreal Canadiens.

In a 2020 interview with the NHL Network, Hendriks revealed that he has “watched every game” and “embraced the Habs lifestyle.”

The two-time All-MLB First Team nominee is also a fan of the North Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League, also known as the AFL.