Chicago Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks has his own digital bedtime story

In the city of Wind, one brave Chicago Cubs hero does not require velocity to vanquish those who dare to stand before him.

When the Chicago Cubs send right-hander Kyle Hendricks to the mound, fans know the class is about to be in session. Great news for the Cubs, not so good for the visiting or hosting team at the time.

Since making his big league debut, Hendricks has shown signs of a true-ace. In a trade with the Texas Rangers, Theo Epstein managed to reel in the Dartmouth graduate in exchange for Christian Villanueva and Ryan Dempster. Villanueva is a current third baseman for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan.

Dempster, on the other hand, was nearing the end of his Major League career but eventually returned to the Cubs in another way. Hands down the best Harry Caray impressionist in the universe.

In 2016, Kyle posted a league-best 2.16 ERA, which made him the first Cub to lead the National League in that category.

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Most importantly, he emerged as a Cy Young candidate, leading his team to a World Series championship later that fall.

Then skipper Joe Maddon sent The Professor out to the hill in Game’s 3 and 7 against the Cleveland Indians. Through nine-innings of work, Hendricks yielded one earned run on 10 hits while issuing one walk and striking out eight.

Maddon’s decision to remove Hendricks from Game 7 for southpaw Jon Lester was a questionable call considering how well the young hurler was doing. Either way, it worked out, and the North Side celebrated for the first time in over 100 years.

Stories of that 2016 World Series team will be told beyond our years. A group of hungry young talent mixed with season veterans who managed to put an end to an infamous curse. Most importantly, a story of an Ivy League graduate that did not flinch in one of the sports most significant contests.

He may not have been clocking in at 99 miles per hour, but he was confusing batters with offspeed filth. Between an 88mph sinker, 80mph circle change, 76mph curveball, and a 90mph 4-seam, The Professor has the necessary tools to get the job done brilliantly.

Now, while fans are waiting for baseball to return, the Cubs have teamed up with Wintrust Bank for a digital bedtime story titled ‘Professor Kyle‘. It is a quick 10-page children’s book showcasing Kyle’s four-pitch arsenal and typical rhyme scheme to make it fun for younger kids.

To add to the theme of learning, the Chicago Cubs included a drawing of how a 6-4-3 double-play is executed. There are no names listed on the artwork itself other than all nine positions on the field.

With schools and students making the switch to e-learning, publishing more digital books similar to Kyle’s is something every team should look into. Not for one specific player but each member of their active 26-man roster if possible.

Follow the current blueprint and teach kids something new about the game using that player’s position. Hats off to those who decided to bring something like this to life during such a rough time.