Hendriks back in Oakland, with shout-out to fans
Liam Hendriks wandered the Coliseum field Tuesday afternoon wearing Australianflag print sandals and a “Ponytail Gang” T-shirt featuring the likenesses of himself and fellow coiffed White Sox relievers Craig Kimbrel and Michael Kopech.
“It brings back a lot of memories coming back to this place,” said Hendriks, the former A’s closer. “It’s where I kind of started moving up the rung of the bullpen, then got ousted because of my own ego and then came back and was able to kind of turn the page and get to where I’m at now.
“Without the support from not only the team and the organization but also the fan base here, I don’t think I’d be anywhere close to where I’m at now.”
Hendriks, who signed a three-year, $54 million deal with the White Sox in free agency last winter after five seasons with the A’s, returned to Oakland on Tuesday as the AL saves leader. The right-hander brought with him a 3.00 ERA and 32 saves in 58 outings for the AL Central-leading White Sox. He ranked fifth among major-league relievers with an average of 14.3 strikeouts per nine innings.
With Oakland, Hendriks went from a pitcher designated for assignment five times early in his career — the last in 2018 — to an All-Star closer and fan favorite. Hendriks recalled that time fondly Tuesday.
“I’m loving my time in Chicago, don’t get me wrong, but Oakland’s always going to hold a special place in my heart for what they were able to give me and what I was able to gain in perspective,” Hendriks said.
Given his A’s tenure, Hendriks said he has tried to follow the team’s search for a ballpark from afar. He also said he believes its public nature likely has had an influence on the A’s season.
“I know that the fan base here is not always the most populous, but it’s generally the most boisterous,” Hendriks said. “And from what I’ve understood, recently it hasn’t been as boisterous. It hasn’t been as populous even as it was before.
“A lot of that may come down to certain things going on with the organization or certain things going on with the (city) council. And it’s really affected not only what’s going on with the moving of the city or the stadium or whatever, but I guarantee it has an effect on the way guys are playing on the field because of the added extra noise that’s going on, the unnecessary stuff that’s happening.
“And I think it’s sad. It’s sad not only for this group, but it’s sad for the organization as a whole, because it’s a storied organization that deserves better.”
Hendriks said his hope is a solution is reached to keep the A’s in Oakland.
“The fan base is big — whether they come to the games every time or not, the fan base is huge and they are very boisterous when they come to games,” Hendriks said.
“That (atmosphere) is what I think needs to happen day in and day out, because that’s the only way it’s going to stay here. But unfortunately, the way certain things have fallen within the organization, it tends to have alienated the fan base. And it’s unfortunate. But obviously, I’d want it to stay here. Because it’s synonymous with this game.
“You’ve got the World Series quake game of ’89, you’ve got the amount of players that have played here throughout the years. And it’s a Bay Area team, that’s what it is.”
Roster move: The A’s reinstated right-hander Frankie Montas from the restricted list Tuesday. Montas was placed on the restricted list during the A’s weekend series in Toronto; he did not travel for the series because of a visa-application issue. Montas is scheduled to start Wednesday’s game against the White Sox.
Reliever Sam Moll was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move.
Briefly: Outfielder Seth
Brown, on the injured list since Aug. 27 after a positive coronavirus test, was at the Coliseum on Tuesday and went through a pregame workout. Manager Bob Melvin said the A’s still need to decide if Brown will require a minor-league rehab assignment. … Starter Chris Bassitt, recovering from surgery for facial fractures, has not resumed playing catch, Melvin said, but was on the field as a shagger during batting practice. … Right-hander Daulton Jefferies will remain in a bullpen role for now, Melvin said.