Liam Hendriks makes MLB history winning AL Reliever of the Year

Liam Hendriks is the A.L. Reliever of the Year for the second straight season, becoming the first pitcher to win consecutive seasons.

While the Chicago White Sox didn’t have the postseason victories they dreamed of, one of their best players just snagged a historic win for the MLB history books.

On Nov. 10, the White Sox revealed that relief pitcher Liam Hendriks won the 2021 Mariano Rivera A.L. Reliever of the Year for the second straight season.

As impressive as this win is, this is the second year in a row Hendricks has accomplished this feat, making him the first player in MLB history to win the award in consecutive seasons.

White Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks wins AL Reliever of the Year for second straight season

Although Hendriks has been in the league since 2011, the early years of his career haven’t been as decorated as the past three years alone.

In addition to his A.L. Reliever of the Year awards, Hendriks is a two-time MLB All-Star, winning in 2019 and 2021. He also made All-MLB Second Team in 2019, then made All-MLB First Team in 2020.

To add to his historic 2021 season, Hendriks also was the AL saves leader in 2021. A save is credited to a relief pitcher who wins a game in specific circumstances, usually by entering in the ninth inning as relief when his team is up by no more than three runs and conserves the win for the team.

This year, Hendriks had an 8-3 record and 38 saves in 44 chances with a 2.54 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 71 innings. What makes this all more impressive is that this was Hendrik’s first season with the White Sox.