One of the most exciting stories so far in the 2023 season in Major League Baseball was given to us by the game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Chicago White Sox when pitcher Liam Hendriks returned to action after months of recovery from cancer. stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Hendriks, who had the goal of returning before the end of May, took to the mound in the eighth episode in a scene that was emotional for both the arm and the fans who said they were present at US Cellular Field in Chicago.
Since he began the journey to the mound, the 34-year-old baseball player could not help but be carried away by emotion after receiving the more than 20,000 people who were in the venue.
Already on the hill, Hendriks took possession of the ball but the game had to be interrupted by the loud ovation of shouts and applause that he received, something that he thanked with a couple of tears on his face that he quickly shook off.
Matt Thaiss, batsman in turn, also moved away from the plate so that the leading role would be taken by Hendriks, who had played his last official game last October before learning that he was suffering from the disease.
Already in action, a four-seamer fastball at 96 mph his first pitch again set all the stands on fire.
On his return, Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol spoke about how inspiring the right-hander’s return was to both the team and the fans.
“What he has done and how he has done it is incredible. He’s an inspiration to everyone at the club, he’s an inspiration to everyone who follows the sport and knows Liam. We’re excited to see him on the mound for the first time, he said.
Although he gave up a couple of runs on a sacrifice fly and an RBI hit from Mike Trout, Hendriks took the inning and was again warmly greeted on his way to the dugout.
Watch the video of Hendriks’ moving ovation here:
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