Liam Hendriks
An Australian fireballer who overcame non-Hodgkin lymphoma to return to the mound and win the AL Comeback Player of the Year award.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Australian baseball player·Birthday: February 10·Millennials
Biography
Liam Hendriks's story is one of sheer force of will, both on and off the field. The Perth native carved out a space in the majors not as a prized prospect, but as a relentless competitor who refused to be counted out. After years as a journeyman starter, he transformed himself into one of baseball's most dominant and fiery closers, earning back-to-back American League Reliever of the Year honors. His most profound battle began in 2022 when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In a moment that transcended sport, Hendriks publicly documented his treatment and, in a stunningly short timeframe, returned to pitch again. His emotional comeback was capped with the 2023 AL Comeback Player of the Year Award, a testament to his toughness that resonated far beyond the ballpark.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Liam was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Liam Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Liam's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 2023 American League Comeback Player of the Year Award after returning from cancer treatment.
- Named the American League Reliever of the Year in both 2020 and 2021.
- Selected as an MLB All-Star three times (2019, 2021, 2024).
- Recorded 114 saves and 347 strikeouts across the 2020 and 2021 seasons combined.
Did You Know?
He is the first Australian pitcher to record 100 saves in Major League Baseball.
He and his wife, Kristi, are vocal advocates for animal rescue and have several adopted dogs.
He famously throws a 'Vulcan changeup,' a pitch grip popularized by former pitcher Trevor Hoffman.
He entered the league as a starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins in 2011.
“I don't care how I get outs, as long as I get them.”
