White Sox closer Liam Hendriks and wife Kristi to support frontline workers near Guaranteed Rate Field

Liam Hendriks was hired as the White Sox’ new closer earlier this month, and he’s already making his presence felt in the neighborhood.

Hendriks and his wife Kristi are donating meals from Bridgeport restaurants to those working in the front lines during pandemic. Firefighters from all three platoons at Engine 29 in Bridgeport near Guaranteed Rate Field will be treated to lunch on Thursday. The Hendrikses plan to do more of the same in coming weeks with meals coming from local restaurants to responders and frontline workers leading to the start of the season in April.

Lunch is coming Thursday from Taco E, Ajo and Nana restaurants. The couple also recorded a special message, which will be shown to members of the firehouse on Thursday.

The Sox signed Hendriks to a four-year, $54 million contract on Jan. 15. Hendriks, who turns 32 on Feb. 10, was active in the Oakland community with animal rescue and Boys and Girls Clubs efforts while he played for the Athletics and expects to be in Chicago as well.

“We’re definitely excited about living in the city and kind of getting that vibe,” Hendriks said the day he was signed.

“We’ve been doing stuff for the Boys and Girls Clubs in Oakland we’re looking to do more of the same in Chicago with the ‘Strikeout Poverty’ campaign we’ve done and what we can do with the pandemic still going on. It’s important to give back as much as we can and Chicago is a great city to embrace that.”

White Sox pitchers and catchers are scheduled to begin spring training on Feb. 17.