Fun facts about Cubs' Kyle Hendricks' nickname and golf game

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We’re nearing the eight-year mark of the trade that brought right-hander Kyle Hendricks to the North Side. That trade sent Ryan Dempster to the Rangers but almost didn’t happen — the Cubs nearly shipped the veteran right-hander to Atlanta.

Suffice to say, the Cubs are happy with the deal.

Hendricks is the Cubs’ most steady starter and signed a contract extension through 2025 last March. Here are a few things to know about him.

1. Hendricks grew up in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. and attended Capistrano Valley High School. The Angels drafted him in the 39th round of the 2008 draft, but he opted to attend college.

2. Hendricks attended Dartmouth, graduating in spring 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in economics modified by math. The Rangers drafted him in the eighth round in 2011, so he finished his studies across two fall terms while pitching in Texas’ and the Cubs’ farm systems.

3. Hendricks’ nickname is “The Professor,” a nod to his Ivy League education and his pitching style. It’s also one of former Cub Greg Maddux’s nicknames, and both he and Hendricks are soft-tossing, command pitchers.

4. He doesn’t play that much but Hendricks is a scratch golfer. His dad, John, qualified for the PGA Championship in 1991 and previously served as a teaching professional.

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