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ESPN Information Companies
Jul 5, 2025, 05:48 PM ET
Bobby Jenks, a two-time All-Star pitcher for the Chicago White Sox who was on the roster when the franchise received the 2005 World Sequence, died Friday in Sintra, Portugal, the group introduced.
Jenks, 44, who had been identified with adenocarcinoma, a type of abdomen most cancers, this 12 months, spent six seasons with the White Sox from 2005 to 2010 and in addition performed for the Boston Red Sox in 2011. The reliever completed his main league profession with a 16-20 file, 3.53 ERA and 173 saves.
“Now we have misplaced an iconic member of the White Sox household immediately,” White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf stated in a press release. “None of us will ever neglect that ninth inning of Recreation 4 in Houston, all that Bobby did for the 2005 World Sequence champions and for your complete Sox group throughout his time in Chicago. He and his household knew most cancers could be his hardest battle, and he shall be missed as a husband, father, pal and teammate. He’ll without end maintain a particular place in all our hearts.”
After Jenks moved to Portugal final 12 months, he was identified with a deep vein thrombosis in his proper calf. That ultimately unfold into blood clots in his lungs, prompting additional testing. He was later identified with adenocarcinoma and commenced present process radiation.
In February, as Jenks was being handled for the sickness, the White Sox posted “We stand with you, Bobby” on Instagram, including within the put up that the membership was “pondering of Bobby as he’s being handled.”
In 2005, because the White Sox ended an 88-year drought en path to the World Sequence title, Jenks appeared in six postseason video games. Chicago went 11-1 within the playoffs, and he earned saves in series-clinching wins in Recreation 3 of the ALDS at Boston, and Recreation 4 of the World Sequence in opposition to the Houston Astros.
In 2006, Jenks saved 41 video games, and the next 12 months, he posted 40 saves. He additionally retired 41 consecutive batters in 2007, matching a file for a reliever.
Ozzie Guillen, who managed Chicago’s World Sequence-winning squad, had a signature transfer to summon Jenks from the bullpen, throwing his arms extensive open to point out that he wished the 6-foot-4, 275-pound nearer. Jenks died weeks earlier than the White Sox have been set to carry a twentieth anniversary reunion for the franchise’s most up-to-date title-winning group.
Bobby will without end maintain a particular place in all our hearts 🤍 pic.twitter.com/CLNi7g0Tzh
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 5, 2025
“Everybody remembers the second after I known as for the large fella within the World Sequence,” Guillen stated in a press release. “Everybody has a favourite story about Bobby, so the 2005 reunion shall be an awesome alternative to get along with all his teammates and coaches and relive a few of our best reminiscences of him.”
In a video tribute, former White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko addressed his pitching prowess, including that Jenks “was embarrassing guys, good hitters, instantly.”
“You play for the love of the sport, the enjoyment of it,” Jenks stated in his final interview with SoxTV final 12 months. “It is what I like to do. I [was] enjoying to be a world champion, and that is what I wished to do from the time I picked up a baseball.”
A local of Mission Hills, California, Jenks appeared in 19 video games for the Pink Sox and was initially drafted by the then-Anaheim Angels within the fifth spherical of the 2000 draft.
Jenks is survived by his spouse, Eleni Tzitzivacos, their two kids, Zeno and Kate, and his 4 kids from a previous marriage, Cuma, Nolan, Rylan and Jackson.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
