Warwick, RI (January 14, 2026) – Bishop Hendricken High School proudly welcomed home Major League Baseball pitcher Michael King ’13 and his family on Monday, January 12, 2026, for a special day of celebration and recognition. Joining King were Shiela, his wife; Gracie, his daughter; Michelle, his mother; James, his father; Olivia, his sister; and David, his brother-in-law.
A graduate of the Bishop Hendricken Class of 2013, King was a starting pitcher and senior captain for the Hawks. During his time at Bishop Hendricken, he earned the 2013 Gatorade Player of the Year honor and played a major role in the school’s 2012 and 2013 Rhode Island State Championship teams.
King continued his baseball career at Boston College and was selected in the 12th round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Miami Marlins organization. After several seasons in the Marlins’ minor league system, King was traded to the New York Yankees during the 2018 offseason, where he went on to make his Major League debut in 2019. Following significant success with the Yankees as both a reliever and a starter, King was traded to the San Diego Padres in 2023 as part of the deal for Juan Soto. King completed his first season with the Padres, achieving a 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts across 173 2/3 innings. This season, he recently signed a three-year, $75 million deal to remain with the Padres.
The day began with a schoolwide ceremony in Pepin Gymnasium, where students, faculty, special guests, and members of the media gathered to honor King’s accomplishments. The ceremony included reflections on King’s time at Bishop Hendricken and culminated in the unveiling and retirement of his baseball jersey, number 14.
During the ceremony, King addressed the student body and reflected on the impact Bishop Hendricken had on his life and career, saying, “Thank you for welcoming me back. What Hendricken gave me was a strong foundation. How to compete with class, how to respond when things don’t go your way, and how to stay grounded. Whether your future is in sports, business, or medicine, or something you haven’t discovered yet. The lessons you learn here matter. Take pride in wearing the uniform. Take pride in the school, and never stop believing what is possible if you put in the work.”
Following the ceremony, King participated in a question-and-answer session with members of the Bishop Hendricken Baseball Team, the Leadership Academy, and members of the media, offering insight into his journey from high school athletics to the professional level. The celebration concluded with a reception in King’s honor, where members of the Bishop Hendricken community gathered for food and refreshments.
Throughout the day, the Bishop Hendricken community reflected on King’s lasting impact on the school and the role it played in shaping him as both an athlete and a person. As Bishop Hendricken High School officially retires baseball jersey number 14, the school proudly recognizes and congratulates Michael King ’13 for his dedication, leadership, and outstanding accomplishments on and off the field. King joins Rocco Baldelli ’00 (22), Jeff Beliveau ’05 (11), and Thomas Pannone ’12 (3) as baseball players to have their numbers retired after reaching the highest level of the sport.
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CONTACT: Gianna Lanni
Director of Communications and Marketing
401.889.5422
glanni@hendricken.com