Cubs rookie Hendricks meets Advocate Condell patients

Surrounded by star-struck kindergartners, some wearing Chicago Cubs T-shirts or caps, Kyle Hendricks read "Kyle's Big Baseball Game," an illustrated story created by the kids for the rookie righthander's visit Monday to Advocate Condell Day Center in Libertyville.

Hendricks also met with patients and staff at Advocate Condell Medical Center, visiting the Cancer Institute, the Outpatient Infusion Center and Pediatrics, where he signed autographs, shook hands and took pictures.

"It's just gratifying and it's the least that I can do," Hendricks said as he signed a Cubs cap. "It's a blessing to be where I'm at and to be able to come here give back to the kids and see their faces light up or the patients that I'm visiting. I can only imagine what they're going through."

Hendricks moved from room to room, talking with patients and their families. Many wished him and the Chicago Cubs good luck next year.

"This gives the patients and the children something to look forward to. It's very flattering that someone from the Cubs would come here," said Monica Rettig, a nurse in the cancer resource center.