Cubs REKAP Podcast ⚾️ (S2 - EP21) - Kyle Hendricks on 2024 | Remaining a Cub | 2016 World Series Run

welcome into a special edition a very special  edition of our Cubs recap podcast the presentation   of our recap YouTube channel available Audio Only  everywhere you get your favorite podcast with my   partner Gordon Whitten Meer I'm David Kaplan and  one of my all-time favorite people to deal with   let alone player is cubstar K Hendrick who gave  us all the greatest Thrills of our Cub's fandom   life beating the Dodgers to go to the World  Series never thought I'd live to see that and   then game seven to win the World Series Kyle  thank you for taking time for us man how are   you oh doing great cap and all that right back at  you man it's it's good to see you and good to talk   to you it's been too long but I appreciate both  of you and everything you guys have done for me   so just excited to be on here and join you guys  appreciate you so as we get to the end of this   season you look at where this team is and you know  I remember Dansby saying in June relax it's only   June well here we are now late August and you're  still alive but it's an uphill fight what's your   Takeaway on your team yeah it's been a battle all  year you know and it's still an uphill fight for   us but it's just been a little inconsistent we've  gotten on some hot streaks and then just haven't   been able to really sustain for a while you know  so the national league has been just crazy this   year so we know we're still right in the thick of  it and we still got a chance with a month left you   know we have to take care of our own business but  at the end of the day just like Dansby said man we   have so many pros and so many great players in  that clubhouse that that's where it starts and   so I know we're putting in the work every single  day it's it's the focus on winning every single   day when we go in there we know how important each  and every game is at this point so yeah that's our   Focus it's on the day to-day block out the noise  win as many ball games as we can and see where we   end up but obviously especially after last year  just coming up a little short man we really want   to put together a good hot streak here when we  do everything right you know and play we can   play unbelievable baseball together as a team so  we know the potential is there we just got to put   it all together Kyle I could I could probably say  this about a lot of guys on that team but it seems   to me that if you guys pull this off you you're  probably gonna be right in the middle of it I mean   you're you're gonna have an outsized say in this  it seems to me do you feel like uh kind of it's   it's in your hands as much as the team's hands  as you go down stretch yeah 100% Gordon you said   it and you just have to get in you know that's it  so if we can get in man with the guys that we got   like you said the starting pitching that we've  had going shoda Steely J Mo Javi I mean all four   of them have been unbelievable all year long so  consistent what the bullpen doing right now top   of the league they have been for about two months  you know it's been crazy what they've been doing   out there so you win with pitching in defense And  Timely hitting especially in the postseason so   the pitching our defense has been unbelievable  we've been at the top of the league there lately   too so like I said we have the fundamentals we  have the right players to do it we just yeah we   really need to go on a hot streak and we know if  we can get in then we're going to have a really   good chance but it's been what I'm getting that  it's been a process for you this year you got   some stuff figured out and historically you're  a strong finisher yeah thank you I appreciate it   definitely it was a rough rough start for me this  year uh probably the worst you know worst time   in my career that I've had which was unfortunate  I'm so grateful and so lucky that they just kept   handing me the ball uh moved to the bullpen to try  and find some better situations but now that I've   been starting again yeah I've been feeling so much  better the last two months or so been feeling more   like myself so yeah I'm just trying to be that  reliable guy go out there every fifth day and give   my team a chance to win but of course you know you  live a pitch in in late September in a playoff run   and into the playoffs so I know I'm geared up for  that myself personally Al I'm feeling the best   I felt all year so hopefully I can go on a run  and do my part yeah for this team so I talked to   Tommy hadavi while you were struggling and then  I picked up the phone and I called Chris basio   your former pitching coach and both guys said to  me I'm telling you there's a lot inside that guy   listen to me yes he's struggling right now we've  got to make some adjustments is what Tommy told   me Chris said Kyle is more if his mechanics are  off his back leg is is two Ines too high or too   low that really is a problem for him he's got to  be locked in mechanically so what did you do to   fix it because you looked a lot more like yourself  yeah definitely those two guys know me probably   better than anyone man and especially Tommy lately  he's probably seen every pitch I've thrown you   know in a bullpen and in games in the big leagues  so I rely on those guys so much I thank them so   much boss couldn't be more right I just I really  do have to get mechanically right and once I find   it and it clicks I seem to kind of run with it and  really hit a Groove um that sometimes maybe that's   why I'm a slow starter this year was historically  bad so we really had to get in the lab get to work   Tommy and I and the rest of the pitching guys and  I was just up in the zone everything was flat um   so the action of everything I really need to be  down in the zone having everything work off of   my fastball and that command so that's really  where we put our focus and it it was a slow   process it really took me a while I had to put  a ton of work but finally I started getting to   the bottom of the Zone started getting angle my  mechanics started to syn up with all of that um   I was really hitting my balance point getting  out front getting over the baseball and those   are huge keys for me so I really started to feel  that like I said about two plus months ago and   now it's I really feel like I am in somewhat of  a Groove still finding like that exact sweet spot   but at least I'm going out there giving my team a  chance to win and I feel like uh we can win a lot   of ball games with performing now you know that  kind of makes me uh think you you're you're 34   you're a young man especially like compared to  everybody else on this H podcast um but I mean   even in a baseball sense you're still very but  this was a year as you said you had to figure   out some stuff and it's also a contract year so  that's always a big deal for a veteran pitcher   um so I got kind of two things I I wondered um as  you were going through the worst of but there were   some times when you showed a little emotion post  game and I wondered if you heard some of the noise   on the outside and how and and and whether any  thoughts started creeping in your head and then   now that you're going so well have you started  I mean I'm sure you have your agent has anyway   started thinking about what comes next you know to  be honest with you at the end of the day of course   I know where I'm at in my career and what's ahead  of me but that you really don't have much control   over that you know the only way to set yourself  up for all that is just to pitch and Pitch well   so my focus truly has always been on my team  my teammates and wanting to win that's I just   love baseball I love to pitch I love taking  the ball every fifth day and being able to be   that consistent guy for my teammates you know we  we're such a close-knit family we spend so much   time with each other throughout the season day in  and day out so to be honest with you no I I really   don't think too much about all that I really try  and stay in the moment when things were going bad   and I was showing frustration the beginning of the  year it was just because I was Los I was losing   ball games personally for my team and that really  hurts me you know I I know how much work all of   our guys put in and myself included and to go out  there and just not give us a chance you know it   it was really killing me inside so that's where  all that was coming from and then to come out   of that now like I said I just want to be that  reliable guy that my teammates look at they know   what they're going to get every fifth day they can  go out there and do their job too and then youn   a lot of ball games winning is just so much fun  in the big leagues and when you're losing that's   the frustration Creeps in for sure because we put  in so much work and it's just so many hours the   sacrifices your family makes all of it there's so  much that goes into it so I really try and keep   the focus simple keep it on my teammates my family  the people that I'm really doing it for there and   I know the rest will take care of itself of course  I want to play this game as long as I can I feel   I feel completely healthy which is huge and  great for me right now that's a big key but   that's always number one and going forward with  that as long as I'm healthy I just want to play   this game as long as I can because I love it do  you see a scenario Kyle where you've made a good   amount of money but you're a professional man this  is how you are going to take care of your wife and   your kids and everyone close to you for the rest  of your life do you see a scenario where I take a   little less to stay with the Cubs or I'm going  to go out and I'm just going to take the best   opportunity for me yeah I definitely think based  on you guys know me too it's never been about top   dollar about the big money I feel like I've been  so blessed and lucky already for the money I've   made for my family in this game I I'm completely  set up I'm not worried about any of that so yeah   my focus is more on the happiness The Joy my  family they're they're being a good situation so   I have been so grateful and blessed to be able to  play at Wrigley Field and playing front of those   Cubs fans man for 11 Seasons now that's it's crazy  to say that and to be able to think back to all   the memories seeing all the players that have come  in from other teams also you just hear all the   stories about other organizations they're really  there really is no better place than Chicago and   Chicago Cubs so of course I would do anything to  stay there and to be there longer I'm just trying   to do my part to make sure I can be a reliable  force and add value to that team you know that's   where my my priority is and then whatever they  happen to see in me I I'll be I'll take it all   right so I want to take you back I went up to you  and said hey we do this show on TV on NBC Sports   Chicago called inside look this was in early June  of 2016 Cubs are rolling they look really good but   again it's been 108 years so why should people  believe it's going to end any differently and   you and I sat underneath the left field bleachers  and we did an interview and I I still remember it   like it was yesterday I said okay give me one last  thing how does this whole thing end in your mind   and you looked dead in the camera at me and you  said the Chicago Cubs win the 2016 World Series   and you had this big grin and I I left there I  called my mom and my brother and I'm like we're   winning the World Series this year I'm telling  you there's something magical going on and talking   with you did you feel it then you know I I truly  did but the only reason I felt it at that point   was because like you said that was June this thing  it started in February and so when we showed up in   February with the group of guys that we had that  specific year it was such a special blend of the   veteran guys and young guys coming up you know  with fresh eyes I was one of those young guys   I didn't know what the heck was going on I didn't  know where I was it took all those older guys man   we leaned on them so much they were such a huge  driving force leading Us in the right direction   they were speaking it into existence like that  you know so by that point in June yeah I truly   believed it that's all we were ever talking about  Joe Madden from day one in spring training he was   having meetings telling us to embrace the target  all these different things that we could lean on   and rely on because we knew that the Target have  been painted on us we were picked as the best team   that year and everyone was going to be coming for  us and giving us their best so yeah we had to take   each each and every day huge but those veteran  guys man the confidence they had the experiences   they've been through just winning teams they had  already won World Series they knew what it was   like it was easy to listen to them and follow  follow them and I can I think I can speak for   the rest of the young guys that we really followed  their lead and whatever they said we just bought   and we believed in it and then we regurgitated  it you know to everybody else you know when you   brought up spring training it reminded me a lot  of people probably forget this yeah you guys won   97 games a year before yeah you were everybody's  popular pick to win the World Series but Dexter   Fowler had signed with the Orioles until all of a  sudden he shows up in spring training surprise and   uh is was that how much was that like part of just  launching the whole emotional thing that year yeah   that's a great Point Gordon that was a huge moment  for us you can see what Dex did for that team in   general for the few years that he was there he  was the engine man leading off for us the bats   he put together he started that game it was weird  crazy when we were playing at home at Wrigley in   front of those fans man deck seemed like he got  on every time in the first inning and then we   rolled we'd score two three four runs right away  in the first inning and get that lead and the game   seemed like it was over like our confidence was  so high and it really started with that with deck   coming back the energy he brought how he led our  team from that leadoff position it's just a huge   spot in the order and he put together such great  at bats all year long man had a huge year for us   but yeah showing up the spring training like he  was we felt like we were missing something and   we saw that we thought he'd signed in Baltimore  we were like everybody was bummed everybody was   down then all a sudden he comes running out on  the field when we're doing pfps and do doing team   defense out there and the you saw the reaction  from the from the team I think that just says   a lot about who Dex is as a teammate and a person  and what he gave to that team so if you go back to   2016 as you talked about Joe Madden embraced the  target I remember seeing davo swinny the Clemson   coach and after you won it he was at Wrigley the  next year and I'm talking to him and it started   to rain and they brought him into your Clubhouse  and he went to Joe and said um can I steal that   embrace the target thing because my team is pick  number one and Joe said have at it Gordon who just   interviewed Lou penella a few weeks ago Lou has  told me the biggest mistake I made in ' 08 was I   did not address something effed Up's going to  happen there's be something Goofy and how we   handle it will determine if we take the next step  in ' 08 it didn't work out Joe Madden did not run   from that going into the postseason at 16 correct  oh 100% man Joe was such a huge leader just the   way he looked at the game how he treated people  how he approached everyone he was just such a   lovable human being you wanted to play for him you  wanted to succeed for him um when he would come in   the room and run his meetings you were lock walked  in on every word you know he's definitely an   eccentric interesting human being and just the way  he looks at things and the way he voices it the   words he uses it just really draw drew Us in you  know Drew us into that team concept it got gave us   something to Rally around really and he would go  back to it you know throughout the entire season   so when things were hitting the fan and things  were going wrong we could look back we knew that   what our Staples were what our foundations were  and it was setting place by him there starting in   spring training with whether it was a phrase just  a single word he could say one thing and it could   get us right back on track I I I've always had  this thought and cap and I have talked about this   like it turned out in my mind it was an advantage  that you guys up opened on the road in the world   series and the and the reason I thought that was  because the team was so young you had a couple   of years under your belt but you know the the  Russell and the KBS and the bases of the world   uh very young team very young core hitters and  the one thing Madden did was like like deflect   all this pressure you're talking about but what  happened when you guys got back there for game   three the the cops are on Horseback that it's 6  in the morning Wrigleyville is full of people all   the bars are filled that's a site no none of those  guys had seen and maybe we hadn't seen in decades   and and had that been one of the World Series  without actually throwing a couple punches already   uh then maybe maybe it's a little different  totally totally it definitely could have changed   the course of things or changed it up or changed  the energy in some way but I have to go back to   just the the veteran leaders we had the veteran  leaders we had on that team it seemed like no   matter what situation we were in they got us ready  and they phrased it in a way where the pressure   this was one of Madden's phrases pressure is a  privilege you know we looked at all everything   as a positive so even all the all that energy all  the people around Wrigley we knew it had been 108   years but we didn't feel all that pressure to  be honest with you all that weight was not we   were just having so much fun we knew how good we  were as a group and the confidence level was so   high and it was based on those veteran guys the  veteran guys walked us through every step of it   knew what to say the right thing at the right time  kept our confidence high so to be honest with you   yeah it could have changed some energy in that  but I think we would have had the right guys to   rephrase it to look at in the right way and go  attack that situation because we we wanted the   pressure we wanted the pressure in the time but  you're you're always that guy I mean I looked at   your postseason numbers just to remind myself  today the deeper into the postseason you went   the better your numbers got it was like the I  mean literally the the higher St I mean I don't   know that a gift I mean a state of mind I I don't  know what that c can you explain like some does   that come from it's a state of mind I think for  sure it's a state of mind and I swear I had myself   tricked like you have to trick yourself and that  goes back to relying on your teammates you know   you're not going out there all by yourself is the  first thing you know so you know who's behind you   you know how good all these guys are so  even if you were to slip up for a second   you know they can make up for you you know they  can make up for anything here and there just based   on the talent and just how good of baseball  players they were and how bad they wanted it   everybody on that team really you could just tell  was so bought in wanted it so bad was playing for   something bigger than themselves we didn't we NE  we didn't necessarily feel the weight of the 108   years but we wanted to accomplish that goal so  bad for all the Cubs fans and that meant so much   to us so playing for something that big you know  outside of just ourselves and our family that's   what meant so much to us so no maybe we didn't  see the pressure we saw the opportunity of the   positive that could come out of this and the  generations of cubs fans that we could affect   and so yeah in a way I think pitching in playoff  games and all that you do have to psych yourself   out and trick yourself and just it's one pitch  at a time still one pitch at a time it doesn't   matter what game this is it doesn't matter that  it's October still one pitch at a time I have   all these studs behind me still all these guys  we got the best lineup in the game our Bullpen   was unbelievable at the time and our starters  you know we would we would get it the next day   if something went wrong today so I remember like I  know this is what I do for a living but I grew up   a Cubs fan I was a vendor at the Ballpark I mean  my heart was right out there beating on the field   because oh man and I remember going up to Theo  and going dude is this ever going to happen he   said well if I were you I'd lose a little weight  I'd eat right and give me some time and I'll get   this fixed and we will win it for you and so game  three I get to the ballpark early and the wind is   howling out howling it's you against Josh Tomlin  and I remember Joe Buck said you struck out the   first batter and Joe Buck I'm sure you've heard  him say it in the video where he goes I don't know   man he looks completely overwhelmed by the moment  kiddingly and then there was uh I think Lindor at   first and you picked him off and it was a talent  a bang bang out got him got out of it and the game   ended up like a two to one bargain crazy with the  I mean I thought it was going to be nine to eight   take us back to looking at those flags pulling  up in your car and then going oh God yes I think   Wrigley as you know man it can play so different  day to day the wind can be blowing howling out 20   plus miles hour then it can the next day it can be  howling in at the same rate so yes when you show   up to the ballpark you definitely take note of it  but like just like I said at the end of the day   it is one pitch at a time no matter what the other  team's playing in the same environment you are so   yeah I it was completely unexpected for Josh and  I to go out there it was two guys that couldn't   break a paint of glass basically and we go out  there and somehow navigate our way through this   game he pitched absolutely unbelievable so it was  just a great competition back and forth um ended   up being yeah a tremendous ball game for the first  World Series game back at Wrigley since I think in   the early 40s 45 yeah okay so obviously it didn't  end up our way we we would have loved to win that   game but of course like we all know that's exactly  how it was supposed to go for things to work out   in the end so so it's clear how much magic there  was that year and how much talent there was in   every part of that roster we all I mean the only  the word that got used most often coming off of   That World Series was Dynasty and um I know we've  talked about this you and I talked about it you've   talked about it with other reporters Rizzo Bryant  Javi everybody's talked about it what do you think   in all these years later happened to to to lead  to sort of the decline I wonder sometimes if that   Championship was so special historically and so  big in so many ways I just wonder sometimes if   if that contributed to you know whatever came  next I I I don't know you know because then   the Phillies the Phillies kind of when they went  through their thing with Rollins and and those   guys they sustained it for a few years um got to  the World Series twice other teams have done that   with their cores this one had the three NLCS is  but didn't get back there what do you think the   biggest thing was yeah I think when you talk to  everyone about that we're clearly we still wanted   more and we're obviously disappointed in that in  a way but I think what it shows you is just how   tough this game is man how tough this game is at  the highest level just in general um just like we   were talking about at the beginning of this if you  just get into the playoffs if you just get in you   have a good chance and a lot of times it's just  who's the hot team who's playing the best at the   right time there getting into October so yeah I  will say winning that World Series especially for   a lot of the young guys I think it was a major  energy expenditure playing that long and just   going through all that all the way through October  so and into November so showing up the next year   that was a whole new Uncharted Territory dealing  with a new season coming off of that so yeah the   World Series hangover like they talk about it  was a grind to get back into it try to play our   best baseball and luckily it came you know later  in that season it took us a while to get into it   though just because yeah I think it really just  talks to the level of talent the level of how good   these other teams are they're all trying to beat  you just as much as you're trying to beat them so   yeah sometimes the talent really doesn't matter  it's just who's playing hot at the right time   you've seen so many teams make runs from a wild  card position you know in the playoffs so being   being that best team being at the top sometimes  it really doesn't matter it really it's just   whoever is playing their best baseball there in  October that's the favorite that's who you should   follow and unfortunately we just couldn't put it  together again but I think that just goes to show   how special it really was that it all did come  together and we we were able to accomplish that   in okay so take me back to game seven because I'm  you know can I just yeah goad you surprised some   of those some of those uh MVP All-Star caliber  type guys struggled after leaving like it's   still I mean still at Young ages I think that go I  think that's to the same point like I said I think   it's with me this year you know I it's not that  I'm doing much different I feel fully healthy I   think it just shows the talent and how good these  guys are these are the best players in the world   it's a really really difficult game you know and  being at it every single day it's just a grind   it's really tough the arms that you see now are  getting so good with the velocity the spin rates   all this stuff so hitting is as tough as it's ever  been so no so seeing these guys go to other places   thank God I don't have to hit anymore I guess  I can say that I do not you know especially in   today's game it would not be enjoyable but have  all those guys man going out there for 600 at   bats it's just a grind and it's a really tough  league so I think it's just more you have to tip   your cap and be positive and appreciate the guys  that are doing it and doing it consistently year   in and year out it's just really special those are  unbelievable players that can do that so take me   back to game seven I got a text from Theo I saw  him at the team hotel and I he goes how you doing   I said how am I doing I'm freaking terrified I  I can't I can't handle this if lose game seven   I can't handle it and then to have a six to3 lead  and have Chapman Give up a home run and the game   is tied like I looked up at my late Father Who  Loved baseball why it became my favorite sport I   go Dad it can't be this cruel it cannot be so when  you were rolling you got completely screwed on a   pitch right down the middle and they called it a  ball to walk a guy and I'm like that that isn't   even close it's totally down the middle you get  yanked how ticked off were you that's screw yeah   okay thank you thank you guys I will say you know  you're so in the moment you're in that competitive   mindset In the Heat of the battle so of course  getting taken out it was more of just I was so   hot so focused on what I was doing it was ah all  right you know I the competitor was still in me at   that point is that going off on my phone I think  it is cool that was pretty we timing there okay   but anyway so no to be honest with you going into  that start I knew it could have been 10 pitches it   could end up being 70 80 who knows and when I went  it's all down to one game exactly it's all down to   one game you need to do anything you can in that  game to win and so I go out for the second second   inning for my warm-up pitches and I kind of peek  over my shoulder because I hear the crowd starting   to clap and get get energized and I look back and  I see Lester Lackey and arietta all three of them   walking out to the bullpen they're in the second  inning okay so I of course I take mental note and   I go in and that just solidified my thought  process was it's one pitch at a time get so   intensely focused on each one of these give it  everything you got and when it's over it's over so   that's that's the mindset I was still in I'll tell  you what as soon as I was out of that game and was   thinking out I was a nervous wreck that's when the  nerves hit me before when you kind of have some   control yeah and some some say in it that's when  you feel confident and you feel like you're doing   what you're supposed to be doing but no I I became  a total fan when I came out of it uh I enjoyed   every freaking second of it with the nerves riding  the roller coaster just like all the other Cubs   fans and yeah and when they tied up that game of  course it was that was very emotional moment but   for chappie to go out there man people forget he  went out there for the bottom of the ninth correct   and went one two three after that where one run  there like you're talking about it's all over and   Cub hit one out exactly it takes one pitch one  pitch and cubs fans are saying exactly what you   were saying that here we go again you know it's  never going to happen so everything happens for   a reason man like I said each and every guy on  that team was so special chappy he got so many   huge outs for us man we were running him out there  every day to go back out there for the nth yeah   but man if you get out of if you get a chance to  get that last out you're gonna get that last out   and at least get through the F the fifth without  two runs scoring in that inning yeah 63 pitch Ali   if that happens just by itself whether you go  out there in the sixth or not you guys don't   go to Extra Innings you get the win who know is  that true who knows maybe I come out as five to   one maybe the whole course has changed maybe we  do end up losing that game something goes wrong   you know what I mean it worked I really don't know  all I know is we did it went exactly how it was   supposed to go because we won that ball game and  every single Cubs fan now can can relive all those   memories their entire lives so Kyle I'm out there  we're in the ballpark it's me and my partner at   the time Todd Holland were now we go out on the  set it's the eighth inning and I'm pacing back   in forth I mean my blood pressure was insane and  he looks at me he goes dude come on man it's over   this game's over you got Chapman it's over and I  turn to him and I go listen here blankety blank   you're an effing mercenary you played for seven  teams in your career you are not a comes guy you   were here for a year and a half I love you but you  have no idea what all of us have gone through our   entire life because more than any team to that  moment they could be up 19 to nothing with two   outs and no one on in the night and they could  find a way to F this up and then bam home run   and I'm like this cannot be happening not and then  to see how it ended the rain I think it made it   all worthwhile it was CU likee to Win It That Way  exactly that's exactly what I go back to it was   Cub like that's exactly how the Cubs had to do  it I think if it would have been just seamless   no problems gone that's what would have happened  something would have gone wrong and we would have   we would have blown the game probably but yeah  the the weird rain delay for only 20 minutes go   having to go to Extra Innings in a game seven like  all of that I'm sorry for Cubs fans that that it   had to add that more nerves you know you got more  steps in I guess a littleit paac in but I did yeah   like I said I think it was so perfect man and to  be I think go down in history as one of the best   game sevens one of the best series World Series  in general is just so special to for CBS fans to   did Joe ever apologize to you go Kyle sorry for  taking you out no absolutely not man like I said   it was it was the right move because we won it  was what it was and again you warm John Lester   up for a third time you're not gonna burn John  Lester and not use him in that game I mean John   I owe so much to him he was such a huge leader  for me and just watching him about his work he   he's one of the best pitchers ever so yeah that's  not a guy you waste an arm you waste so coming in   we knew he was gonna do the job too and he did  he made some huge pitches got some huge outs for   us like his career that's who he was incredible  it cracks me up we're talking about this I think   you're I think you're both right like it was  so Cub likee to win that way because CU likee   throughout history is about just crazy moments  weird moments and stuff that happens mostly   through that history not so good but some of  it pretty cool even babu's called shot was a   cub moment right and so what my point in bringing  all this up is here this year is 10 years in a big   league is all with the Cubs and we all know the  two the two crazy things about the beginning was   how you became a cub in the first place thanks  thanks to to Ryan demper waking up and getting   pissed off one day and and and and the other and  the other thing your debut which I went back and   looked at it not too long ago because I wanted to  see what I had written about you that day I wrote   two full stories that day and you were one line in  the bottom of the second one even though you pick   six Innings and I think got the win in your major  league debut and of course I know cap off top of   his head both you guys know why that is so that  that was again that was a CR you're right though   there were crazy circumstances just for me to be  with the Cubs number one Ryan Dempster it was set   up for him to go to Atlanta randado yes like you  said yes and then he wakes up things happen he   ends up going to the Texas Rangers you know and  I get to be part of that trade every time I see   him I say thank you that's part of it for the  luck that he gave of course yes yes and then   the second part Gordon actually in my debut that  was the game where we had to go to Extra Innings   and RZ charged The Dugout with Chapman Chapman  drown some pitches up and in on our guys yeah so   again who knew that we were going to be teammates  you know two years later going through all that   together but just such a weird story so such weird  paths you know baseball is just a crazy game man   and there's so much luck involved Theo has said on  the record to me that the crystallizing moment for   him that we we've got something special here is  when RZ went over to the Reds Dugout goes let's   go and he'll take them all on he said because it  showed me we had fight we were not vanilla we were   let's go we know what the the Mountaintop we've  got to climb to so when CH comes over we gotta   tell people this though because people who don't  know how what Great American Ballpark looks like   this wasn't one of those Hold Me Back things  they're the first base Dugout yeah there's no   him to slow him down RZ wanted to take on the  whole dogout by himself and you're right that did   give some kind of fire or set the identity for the  future years was clearly the leader for us okay so   Chapman gets traded to the Cubs and he walks in  at Guaranteed Rate it was a US Cellular back then   he doesn't have great grasp of the language Pedro  the late Pedro Gomez has to re rescue him and go   what were you trying to say here it it was nuts  and then all the people that were like I don't   know should we do this they're all the ones with  the iPhones taking videos and flash bulbs popping   when he was there at Wrigley for his first  save what was it like when he walked into your   locker room Clubhouse the first time it was it was  phenomenal man I mean you can probably imagine it   but baseball's baseball and so by that time I know  they had had already talked they walked right up   hugged each other we're teammates now we're in the  fight together it's crazy how baseball can change   like that with someone on the other side when  they join your team there's something to that that   they're your teammate now and we are all in this  together RZ there was nobody better at that than   RZ he was an ultimate teammate brought everyone  together there was never it was just laughed about   really it was laughed about and what the situation  was and everyone had a good time with it never any   sense of ill will or that's that's just basic you  know again it's what happens chappie knew it too   and we're we were lucky and blessed to have that  guy with us now that's what we felt we thank God   that we got chappie on our side now and like you  said going out there for his first time at Wrigley   Field we were right up there on the top step too  man we were on the top step looking at the radar   gun every time seeing him blow up by everybody  and we knew when he was coming in after that   that the game was just over you talked earlier  go ahead Gord you talked earlier about just the   the value of pitching at Wrigley Field and and  and having all that experience all these years   but I also know talking to people in that front  office how much they value players like you who   can perform in that environment because not  everybody can and and and so over the years   here I mean literally from the beginning you  were able to show that and do that at a high   level historically for the franchise and uh I  wonder um you you've you've talked about having a   good relationship with the front office and lines  of communication with Jed how much have you guys   talked about maybe being a lifetime Cub coming  back finding a way to make that work you know yeah   going forward next I think clearly yeah there's a  lot that goes into that honestly like you said we   have such a good relationship and I'm so thankful  for everything they've done for me I mean from   the from the beginning but even into this year  this year for them to keep giving me the ball   after what I was going through losing ball games  individually you know for our team it could have   easily gone another way they could have gotten  rid of me made any other decision they wanted   to make they keep giving me the ball and I can't  thank them enough for that so at the end of the   day it's definitely clear they know how much  I love Chicago love Wrigley Field love Cubs   fans love the organization all these people of  course I would love to be there my entire career   and keep playing there but at the end of the day  if it's best for the organization to move on also   I'm still okay with that and they know that I  really do want want what's best for the Cubs   organization and so I'm trying to work myself back  in in a way if I can say you know I know I need   to really pitch good and just almost prove myself  again to maybe give myself a little chance to have   that possibility and that's okay with me that's  I truly want what's best for this organization   there's such good people from top to bottom and  clearly I want to be a part of that but I know   I have to put in some work in order for that  to happen and if it's better for me to move on   on and not be a part of it then that's great  also so I think the lines of communication   are clear we know where we're both at I  need to perform I need to do what I need   to do and be the guy I consist consistently  need to be for there to even be a chance of that I just I just want to follow up on it so you  guys have talked about things like that did did   you talk as a trade deadline came up because you  were pitching so much better and we didn't know   what direction they were going to go and whether  you'd get a chance to maybe go pitch for somebody   else in a playoff situation have they talked about  other pitching well now and they've got you know   they depending on how things go they've got that  other thing that now is happening in baseball at   the end of August where you know teams try to  get under luxury taxes and things yeah exactly   so no I think what I can say is our relationship  is so good because I think there's just a lot of   trust there so the blueprints been set out all  everything I just said they know how much I love   the Cubs how much I want to be here but when it  comes to the day-to-day even trade deadline stuff   they know how much trust I have in them if they  want to go out and find a good deal and trade   me they'll look for it and then they'll come to  me and let me know but there's no conversations   beforehand of what they're looking to do or where  they need to go I trust every no assurances zero   no assurances that I'm staying either no zero  it's just like I said it's what's going to be   best for this Cubs organization this Cubs team  today and into the future so I've put full Trust   on their PL man they have so much to do on a  day in day out basis same with us our focus is   so much on the day-to-day and what we have to do  to win ball games so again my love for the game   is so high I just love taking the ball being  able to pitch and play baseball so of course   number one would want to be with the Cubs but I  just love the game so much in general that I I   put full trust into that and I know everything  will work out how it's supposed to last couple   things for me I want to go back first to the  game you beat Kershaw to win the pennant like   the World Series amazing obviously that's the  cherry on top but to do it at wriggley to do it   in the fashion you did where you just dominated  and they beat arguably the best pitcher of our   lifetime Kershaw is a first ballot Hall of  Famer take me back to that day because it was   ridiculously cool yeah that day honestly clearly  game seven was what it was but individually   that was probably the best performance I've ever  had in my entire life and that was game six in   the NLCS yes yes and so it it's so bizarre man it  was almost like I blacked out you know it was just   one of those days it's one of those days where  you throw the first pitch all of a sudden you're   throwing the last pitch and you're getting taken  out and it's over it was I I have to go back to   again just the support group The the pitching guys  we had on the team at the time starting with BOS   Tommy all those guys that were around but also  the other starters that had led me and taught   me everything and taught me how to pitch in big  situations down to our position players always   having my back making it I mean I'm not pitching  for strikeouts they're making all the plays behind   me it's just there's so many factors that went  into it that everyone there helped me to be in   just the perfect mindset of Just One Singular  pitch at a time reading what they're doing to   me and we had our catchers were so good between  Wilson and Miggy at that time that Miguel Montero   me so much man he helped me so much as a catcher  back there that yeah it was just a special special   moment I was nervous for sure showing up to  the ballpark and walking in but once you get   in the clubhouse and you're around around your  guys around your family it's just another day   another day at the Ballpark the energy in Wrigley  was crazy and when we started scoring runs we   were hitting homers off Kershaw all a sudden it's  one nothing two nothing three nothing you see the   confidence of the guys you know to be five nothing  pretty quick and get me that lead man it's just   it makes it a lot easier to pitch with that just  going one pitch at a time doing what I can and I   know we got the the great Bullpen behind me so  it's it's weird to talk about that one it is   really hard because it really was like a blackout  situation where it happen so quick to me you must   have said that to RZ because RZ said to me he goes  dude you remember the movie Old School when will   frell is making the speech and he goes what what  did you just do I don't know I blacked out that's   what R said goes that's what Kyle was like he  just said I blacked out and I it was five nothing   it really was that's exactly what it felt like  exactly it's it was the weirdest situation it was   just a magical day again just just another cherry  on top to what a special group that was and how   just things went our way we got we took advantage  of opportunities you know we saw the situation for   what it was and we were able to attack it and make  it the best for us that whole year I loved it of   course Rizzo Compares you will phell yeah he knows  he knows who my favorite actor is you know we go   back a while I tell you what man I don't know if  if people came up to you afterwards and and and   expressed something similar to this I remember  that whole run as being a lifetime baseball guy   writer appreciate somebody who appreciated  the history of the game that entire run that   day that moment was the day I felt the historical  weight of what you guys were doing when when you   clinch it when that team that night at that place  was headed to the World Series Peter Chase and I   looked at each other at one point and and at at  the end of all that and agreed and said the same   thing there's something in the air that night that  just that was the moment I felt like history was   being made by that team man agreed yeah and that  I couldn't agree more yeah I couldn't agree more   and I really I truly felt it after the game was  over over and we're celebrating and we all go out   on the field to celebrate the the whole crowd was  still there nobody left nobody left we were out on   the field spraying champagne into the front rows  and to see the joy and yeah the relief in some   ways too from fans yes and the tons of tears from  just the buildup of what had happened year and   year year in and year out yes you could feel all  that the confidence of them now in our group and   you could it just kind of felt like they knew what  we were going to get it done now and it it could   come true at this point so after you win the World  Series hollandsworth and I do a 4-Hour post game   we get in his car he Pilots us back to Chicago  I go on the air for I don't know how many hours   and then the next day I believe I drove maybe it  was two days later I drove to the cemetery I had   a pen I bought at the World Series a hat and I  went out and told my dad hey guess what we won   the freaking world series and all of a sudden I  look around there's got to be 500 people in the   cemetery there's penants on every grave there's  blue and red flowers and baseball I'm like oh my   God and then I talked about it on the radio and  I had you can't believe how many people contact   me oh I went to see my dead relative or they said  funerals were just overrun that's what you accomp   that that absolutely is crazy cap and it gives me  goosebumps and we knew we knew we were playing for   all of that in a way but we did we still didn't  know the scale we didn't know the scale and what   it was going to be realized there in the end  crazy it was absolutely crazy and we still   all hear stories and it still gives us Goosebumps  and that's the reason why it makes it so special   is the Family Ties the generations of cubs fans  you with your dad so many Cubs fans being able to   say that with their Dads their moms going to do  these things it's just yeah I it can't mean any   more than that it still it gives me Goosebumps  all the time hey man thank you for taking time   for us always will be your one of your biggest  fans I really appreciate you cat man always but   yes I'd love to ask one more thing and and Kyle  I I second what uh what cap said that it's been   just an absolute Joy working with you from the  day you got into the big leagues and thank I   really appreciate that thank youate it um but the  question I had and I've asked you this before but   now that you're a 10-year vet and um maybe maybe  you started thinking about the future a little bit   you going to stay in the game when you're done  playing and and doing what because I could see   anything from pitching coach to front office and  anything in between yeah that's that's a great   question man clearly I love the game I absolutely  love it I love being around it I love being around   the guys I love seeing other guys their process I  love seeing them get better and accomplish their   dreams and their goals you know and have success  out there so I there's so many things that I do   enjoy about the game at this point clearly I'm  focused on holding on and trying to maximize what   I have in the playing realm because that's truly  what I what I enjoy the most is going out there   and just taking the ball so that's my focus right  now but of course moving forward starting a family   you know that's going to be big for me just being  around my kids and around my family when I'm done   this it takes so much time in this game so getting  away for a little bit for sure is going to be uh   going to have to take a little bit of time when  it's all said and done but after that you hear   you see it from so many guys man you hear guys  say oh I'm GNA get away I'm never going to come   back and you know you know the guys that really  love the game and you know they're always going   to come back in some capacity so true I I know I  have that in me I know it'll probably follow that   path one day but again I'm such a day day-to-day  guy that I'm just going to let my love for the   game stay and that'll that'll Lead Me where I need  to go in those days in the future but for now I   want it to lead me on the field extend my career  with my guys be able to play start my family get   some time with them and then yeah of course I'm  still going to love the game so much when that's   all said and done that I'm sure something will  end up happening I I hope there's an opportunity   for it too I guess get yourself one of those Rick  suck Cliff gigs he talks to me about it all the   time he gives me it all the time he says you're  going to be taking over for me I don't know if I   can do that you know he's really good at what  he does man and maybe I need to be more behind   the scenes type um but yeah I've learned so much  from Su that I'm sure he'll be one of the guys I'm   picking I'm picking his brain a lot in the future  Kyle our best to your wife and your mom and dad   just awesome people I've gotten to know your dad  very very well so thank you for being so awesome   in all of our dealings you're amazing I can can't  say this enough about you guys man thank you for   everything always treating me so well with such  respect you guys are awesome people and I miss you   guys miss having you around so I'll come out I'll  come see you okay I need that that my life that   last series of the year that's right I'll see you  there I know I'll see you a little more all right   best of Lu so much of course anytime guys what  an outstanding awesome fun interview with Kyle   Hendrick Gordon and it got me to okay as we walk  down memory lane with him who is on the Rushmore   for you and for me of cubs pitchers and there  is no doubt I I don't want to speak for you Kyle   Hendricks has to be on it right no doubt I mean  when we were talking to him that occurred to me   like I was thinking but I can't ask him about that  but I did want to talk to you about that and and   and and ask you about it so I'm glad you brought  it up absolutely I mean he started the the pennant   clinching game first time in 71 years the Cubs win  the pant he's the winning pitcher he goes into the   eighth and he starts game seven and while I think  he was P pulled too quickly and he disputed that   the bottom line is he gave you a chance to be a  world champion in game seven with his 63 pitch   performance so one slot is locked in it's him on  a staff with John Lester and Jake aretta he was   the game one playoff starter the next year too  he also started two two or three opening days   including a shut out during the pandemic year  that that's their last playoff season so all   that plus what five or six years into his career  he had an erra that only kersha Verlander Scherer   and maybe a couple other guys had had better  eras that's the company he was keeping in his   career so absolutely he's there who are your other  three uh I would have to tell Fergie Jenkins six   consecutive 20 win Seasons multiple years at or  just around 300 Innings pitch Paul of Famer Fergie   gets slot number two Paul of Famer and a cub a  definitive Cub Hall of Fame yes absolutely so   he gets number two um I would put Rick Sutcliffe  there because of what he accomplished as a cub I   love Greg Maddox but he was only here for one you  know shining season in '92 and then the infinite   wisdom the Cubs had more than one good season no  no I'm talking about The Shining Moment where he   won the Sai Young and then he went on to win a  bunch of them with Atlanta unfortunate yeah uh s   Cliffe I think for after those first two there's  a little bit of a drop but I got Sutcliff on   what he did in 84 that was amazing and then he  goes on to continue to have a good career with   maybe uh he had he had another season in there  that had he not gotten hurt might have been just   as big uh was a huge part of those teams yeah I  he's up there I I like Maddox as my fourth I know   you you say you know cuz he all that stuff he did  with the Braves he is such a big pitcher for his   generation and he was an original cub and when  he came back to the Cubs it was so celebrated   that it it was one of the reasons they were a  prohibitive pick favorite whatever to win the   World Series that year it didn't happen obviously  but he's such a part of franchise history and he's   so big in the history of the game he's my fourth  one okay I am going to have to go with John Lester   John Lester signaled to a general ation or more  the Cubs are back he picked us over Boston the   Giants I'm going to be a cub and before he came  he was on a wing in a prayer that he believed in   Theo and Jed that those young players are going  to be good he told me that he said if they were   not the guys running it there's no chance I would  be here if Boston hadn't traded him to Oakland he   said there's no chance I'd be here but once I  got away from Boston went oh there is life in   other places and he came to Chicago in game five  at Wrigley to beat the then Cleveland Indians to   get it back to Cleveland it's one of the most  gutty performances I've watched so count me   in on John Lester yeah you know what he probably  also would have never been there if Boston hadn't   pissed him off by trading him the previous year  and then furthermore he looked sideways at Joe   Madden across the division for years when Joe  was at at Tampa Bay with the zoo animals and   stuff and and wasn't sure he could play for  that guy until they had a conversation right   before he signed so a lot of things had to go  right that's not a wrong pick I'm sticking with   Maddox though all right Gordon have a great rest  of your day man appreciate you greatly you're   the best that was a lot of fun great work Kyle  Hendrick Gordon Whitmire I'm David Kaplan hope   you enjoyed this really really fun podcast get  it Audio Only everywhere your favorite podcasts   are available or get it right here on our YouTube  channel the recap hit subscribe click the little   bell you'll get a notification every time we post  new content for Gordon for Kyle I'm cap take that