Latest news with #Jenks'
The Herald Scotland
06-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Bobby Jenks, White Sox World Series-winning closer, dies at 44
An erratic starting pitcher with dominant stuff as a top prospect for the Anaheim Angels, Jenks rose to prominence after the White Sox claimed him off waivers in December 2004. Just a few months later, he was a beloved part of the White Sox's surprise championship team. Manager Ozzie Guillen, rather than signaling with his left or right hand, pantomimed Jenks' rotund shape when he wanted to call the closer into the game. And few were better for a time: Jenks grabbed hold of the closer's job in Chicago late in 2005 and saved four of their 11 postseason victories that season, including Game 4 of the World Series when the White Sox clinched the title with a 1-0 victory at Houston's Minute Maid Park. Former Chicago White Sox All-Star pitcher and 2005 World Series Champion Bobby Jenks passed away yesterday, July 4, in Sintra, Portugal, where he had been battling adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer. He was 44 years old. — Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 5, 2025 "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." Jenks etched his name into the major league record books two seasons later, when he tied Jim Barr's record of 41 consecutive batters retired, the first to hold that record as a relief pitcher. Jenks' run came over 14 perfect outings. He was an All-Star in 2006 and 2007, when he saved 41 and 40 games, respectively. He pitched six seasons for the White Sox before closing his career by appearing in 19 games for the 2011 Boston Red Sox. Jenks died in Sintra, Portugal, the White Sox said, as his stomach cancer progressed to its latter stages. He is survived by his wife, Eleni Tzitzivacos, their two children, Zeno and Kate and four children from a previous marriage: Cuma, Nolan, Rylan and Jackson.
USA Today
05-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bobby Jenks, closer for 2005 World Series champion Chicago White Sox, dies at 44
Bobby Jenks, the closer for the 2005 World Series champion Chicago White Sox whose fastball touched 100 mph in an era when such heat was uncommon, died July 4 of stomach cancer, the White Sox announced. Jenks was 44. An erratic starting pitcher with dominant stuff as a top prospect for the Anaheim Angels, Jenks rose to prominence after the White Sox claimed him off waivers in December 2004. Just a few months later, he was a beloved part of the White Sox's surprise championship team. Manager Ozzie Guillen, rather than signaling with his left or right hand, pantomimed Jenks' rotund shape when he wanted to call the closer into the game. And few were better for a time: Jenks grabbed hold of the closer's job in Chicago late in 2005 and saved four of their 11 postseason victories that season, including Game 4 of the World Series when the White Sox clinched the title with a 1-0 victory at Houston's Minute Maid Park. "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." Jenks etched his name into the major league record books two seasons later, when he tied Jim Barr's record of 41 consecutive batters retired, the first to hold that record as a relief pitcher. Jenks' run came over 14 perfect outings. He was an All-Star in 2006 and 2007, when he saved 41 and 40 games, respectively. He pitched six seasons for the White Sox before closing his career by appearing in 19 games for the 2011 Boston Red Sox. Jenks died in Sintra, Portugal, the White Sox said, as his stomach cancer progressed to its latter stages. He is survived by his wife, Eleni Tzitzivacos, their two children, Zeno and Kate and four children from a previous marriage: Cuma, Nolan, Rylan and Jackson.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-Red Sox pitcher's home burned down. Then came a terminal cancer diagnosis
Back in January, Bobby Jenks had just about the worst month one could imagine. The former MLB pitcher lost his home in the Pallisades fire that devastated parts of Los Angeles. Later that month, he was diagnosed with a form of stage 4 stomach cancer. Advertisement The Athletic described Jenks' condition as "a terminal illness for which there is only treatment, not a cure." Jenks, who pitched for the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox, has been living in Portugal since October to be closer to his wife's family. Since his cancer diagnosis, Jenks has been participating in memorabilia events to help pay his medical bills, including an event with PastPros last month. The White Sox have also organized a charity event to support Jenks in his cancer battle. Those events include Jenks writing his signature on others' memorabilia. The former All-Star doesn't have much of his own since his home was lost to the L.A. wildfires earlier this year. Advertisement 'I've got one suitcase left to my name,' Jenks said to the LA Times. 'It's all gone. Everything else I've ever done. ... All those things are irreplaceable.' The Athletic reports that Jenks is undergoing a grueling treatment schedule that includes a doctor's visit on Mondays, immunotherapy on Wednesdays and then multiple days of chemotherapy at home. His current plan is to return to Chicago this summer to take part on the White Sox's 20-year anniversary of their last World Series win in 2005. Jenks was a two-time All-Star who spent seven seasons in the majors. As a rookie, he was a key part of Chicago's World Series run. Jenks recorded four saves during the 2005 playoffs, including the World Series-clinching win in Game 4. Advertisement Jenks landed with the Red Sox in 2011, his final season in the majors. He appeared in 19 games, posting a 6.32 ERA. A back injury ended Jenks' 2011 season. He's gone on to claim that the resulting surgery ended his career. Jenks never pitched in the majors again and later sued Massachusetts General Hospital for malpractice, accusing the doctor of botching the surgery while overseeing multiple procedures. Jenks eventually received $5.1 million in a settlement deal. More Red Sox coverage
