Bobby Jenks, former White Sox closer and World Series champion, dies aged 44
Bobby Jenks, 2-time All-Star closer and World Series champion with the Chicago White Sox, has died at the age of 44.
The White Sox said Jenks died Friday in Sintra, Portugal, where he was being treated for adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer.
Advertisement
'We have lost an iconic member of the White Sox family today,' White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement.
'None of us will ever forget that ninth inning of Game 4 in Houston, all that Bobby did for the 2005 World Series champions and for the entire Sox organization during his time in Chicago. He and his family knew cancer would be his toughest battle, and he will be missed as a husband, father, friend and teammate.
'He will forever hold a special place in all our hearts.'
The White Sox paid tribute to the 'iconic' pitcher after his death at 44. (Getty Images)
He was living in Portugal to be closer to his wife's family, according to the New York Post.
Jenks helped the White Sox win the 2005 World Series, saving four games in six appearances during the postseason. He was an All-Star in each of the next two seasons while saving 41 games in 2006 and 40 in 2007.
Advertisement
He retired 41 consecutive batters in 2007, matching a record for a reliever.
"He was embarrassing guys, good hitters, right away," former White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko said in a video tribute.
Jenks saved 173 games for the White Sox from 2005-10 before finishing his career with 19 appearances in 2011 for the Boston Red Sox. For his career, he was 16-20 with a 3.53 ERA and 351 strikeouts in 348 appearances, all in relief.
"As a teammate," former White Sox outfielder Aaron Rowand said, "he was the best."
Jenks is survived by his wife, Eleni Tzitzivacos, their two children, Zeno and Kate, and his four children from a prior marriage, Cuma, Nolan, Rylan and Jackson.
Additional reporting by the Associated Press.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois does not believe Gianluigi Donnarumma deserves to be blamed for Jamal Musiala's injury
Bayern Munich's match against Paris Saint Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals was set to be a real blockbuster, but it ended up overshadowed by a gruesome injury. Right at the end of the first half, Bayern's Jamal Musiala competed with PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma for the ball, only for the Italian goalkeeper to land with his full body on Musiala's leg. The end result, Musiala's ankle and foot bent in a terrifyingly unnatural manner, was horrifying for the players and fans of both teams and teammate Manuel Neuer openly criticized fellow goalkeeper Donnarumma for the action. Advertisement However, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois disagrees. Speaking after his team's victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Club World Cup, Carrussel Deportivo captured his statement. 'Blaming Donnarumma [for Musiala's injury] seems excessive to me. Goalkeepers go for the ball,' the Belgian explained, via @iMiaSanMia. 'Attackers don't hold back when they go at our faces either. It's bad luck. It will hurt him deeply.' Whether or not the former AC Milan goalkeeper should be blamed for the terrible injury might well be a very hotly contested subject for a while to come. Unfortunately, Bayern do not have the luxury of dwelling on the situation. Now more than ever, reinforcements in the transfer market are needed. Also, let us not forget Josip Stanišić also got hurt in the match. Musiala's injury completely overshadowed his issue. Hopefully, his injury will not prove to be nearly as severe. Advertisement More from
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Phrasing of ESPN post about Bobby Jenks' death draws backlash: ‘Should be ashamed and embarrassed'
A social media post by ESPN has drawn criticism after it described the late Bobby Jenks as being 'on the roster' of the White Sox's 2005 world championship team in a post about his death earlier this week. The problem with that was Jenks was more than just 'on the roster,' in fact he was the closer when the White Sox won the World Series in 2005 and appeared in six postseason games during that run, earning saves in Game 3 of the ALDS and Games 1 and 4 of the Fall Classic against the Astros. But the post on X about Jenks' death at the age of 44 from ESPN failed to capture the importance he played in the team's success that year. 'Bobby Jenks, a two-time All-Star pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, who was on the roster when the franchise won the 2005 World Series, died on Friday in Sintra, Portugal, the team announced,' the post read. Former major leaguer players quickly took to social media to criticize the Worldwide Leader. 'ESPN should be ashamed and embarrassed for writing something like this! 'Was on the roster'? He was THE CLOSER on a championship winning team. Do some research before you release something. Have some respect! RIP Bobby Jenks condolences to his family and teammates,' former Twins and Red Sox star Doug Mientkiewicz wrote on X. White Sox relief pitcher Bobby Jenks looks on during a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Aug. 30, 2016. AP 'He did a whole lot more than just be on the roster! He closed out the World Series!! #RIPBobbyJenks #2005forever,' wrote former White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski wrote on X. Pierzynski was on the Chicago team that swept the Astros in the World Series. Jenks died at the age of 44 after a battle with adenocarcinoma, which is a form of stomach cancer, in Sintra, Portugal, where he had been living to be closer to his wife's family. Former Chicago White Sox pitcher Bobby Jenks is remembered before the game between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Matt Marton-Imagn Images The former White Sox pitcher spent six of his seven years in the majors in Chicago before playing one season with Boston. Jenks recorded 173 saves in his career and was an All-Star twice, in 2006 and 2007.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Doncic Trade Has 'Shocked' Donnie Trashing Mavs GM Nico for No 'Decent Funeral'
Doncic Trade Has 'Shocked' Donnie Trashing Mavs GM Nico for No 'Decent Funeral' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Donnie Nelson was the architect of the best Dallas Mavericks rosters in franchise history during his reign as general manager and director of basketball operations from 1998-2021. His resume is bookended by bringing two of the franchise's best players to Dallas: Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic. Advertisement Nelson was with Dallas for the entirety of Nowitzki's career, but his time came to an end early into Doncic's, mutually parting ways with the Mavericks before Nico Harrison was hired as his replacement. Harrison struck the sports world and Mavs fanbase ablaze a couple years into his job when he traded the new franchise icon in Doncic. Even worse than the ridiculousness of the trade and its return was Harrison and the Mavericks' handling of the situation, often referencing Doncic in a demeaning tone and making countless questionable media and press decisions amid the scrutiny. Like many fans, Nelson was not pleased. Not just with The Trade to begin with, but with the manner in which Harrison and the team tried to put out the fire in the aftermath. Nelson didn't hold back his thoughts when discussing the situation with Slovenian news outlet Ekipa 24. He has recently been hired as a special advisor to the Slovenian national team, reuniting with Slovenia's finest Doncic in pursuit of Olympic qualification in 2028. Advertisement The former Mavericks exec couldn't help but compare Doncic's career with that of Nowitzki's, ripping the Mavs for their disrespect to a franchise great. 'We were with Dirk Nowitzki for 21 years, and the last three years were out of pure respect," Nelly said about Nowitzki's twilight before official retirement. "People like that deserve to say goodbye on their own terms and according to their wishes, and everyone deserves a decent funeral, figurative or literal.' Harrison did not give Doncic that treatment whatsoever, breaking the news on a Friday night that had actually been in the works long before Luka willed the Mavericks to the NBA Finals. Nelson poignantly had a one-word response to the trade itself: "shocked". Advertisement And further ... "still shocked". "You have to understand that some players are different, special, and even more important to the environment and the community. It's important to treat those players with respect," Nelson added. Donnie also stated that this situation simply "wouldn't have happened" under his watch. So much of the "loyalty" energy that flowed through Mavericks organization during Dirk's tenure had evaporated in the waning moments of Luka's ... and that emptiness still remains. However, Harrison has had a guardian angel in the form of a ping-pong ball that won Dallas the lottery and awarded the No. 1 overall draft pick with the right to add star phenom Cooper Flagg to the roster. Advertisement Harrison surely has learned from these mistakes, whether he's listened to Nelson and the fans' harsh criticism or not. Nico has stated that Flagg is a generational, "once-in-a-lifetime" player ... but as Nelson might agree... We've already seen how he handled one of those. Related: Mavs' Official Summer League Roster and Schedule Announced Related: Luka Doncic and Donnie Nelson International Reunion Announced This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
