Former Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks has officially announced his retirement after a 12-year career, 11 of which were spent in Chicago, including his pivotal role in the team’s Game 7 World Series win in 2016.

The announcement, which was confirmed by MLB Monday, marks an end to Hendricks’ historic baseball career.

Affectionately known as “The Professor,” Hendricks made his MLB debut with the Cubs during the 2014 season, having been acquired in a 2012 trade that sent Ryan Dempster to the Texas Rangers.

His 11 postseason starts for the Cubs became the most in team history.

“My family and I congratulate Kyle on his retirement after a great career. He was one of the best all-time Cubs pitchers. We would not have won the World Series without his incredible 2016 season where he won the Major League ERA title and started Game 7 of the World Series,” Cubs Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement. “The Professor was always calm, cool and collected on the mound but his great performances excited millions of Cubs fans. From his outstanding playoff starts in 2016 to his memorable final appearance at Wrigley Field in 2024, he gave our fans sweet emotions.”

In the 11 seasons to come, Hendricks appeared in 276 games for the Cubs, including 270 starts. He posted a 97-81 record and a 3.68 ERA over those seasons, with 1,259 strikeouts in 1,580.1 innings.

He finished in the top-10 of Cy Young voting twice during his MLB career, including during the iconic 2016 season, when he had a league-leading 2.13 ERA and a 16-8 record in 31 appearances.

His most famous appearance undoubtedly came in the 2016 World Series, as he started Game 7 of the series against the Cleveland Guardians. He made it through 4.2 innings, giving up two runs and striking out two batters as the Cubs won their first World Series championship in 108 seasons.

Hendricks left the Cubs after the 2024 season, appearing in 31 games for the Los Angeles Angels in the 2025 campaign. He posted a record of 8-10 with a 4.76 ERA in those games for the Halos.

According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, Hendricks plans to spend time with his family after his retirement, and currently has no plans to pursue a job as an executive or coach at this time.

Ricketts noted that Hendricks will always have a home in Chicago.

“Now, it is time for Kyle, his wife, Emma, and his family to make new memories in retirement and we hope they come back to Wrigley Field often,” he said.