Chicago (AP) The Chicago White Sox confirmed on Saturday that Bobby Jenks, a two-time All-Star closer and World Series winner, had passed away. He was forty-four.
According to the White Sox, Jenks passed away on Friday while receiving treatment for stomach cancer called adenocarcinoma in Sintra, Portugal.
Jenks made six postseason appearances and saved four games, which helped the White Sox win the 2005 World Series. He saved 41 games in 2006 and 40 in 2007, and was named an All-Star in both of the following seasons.
In order to call up Jenks from the bullpen, Ozzie Guill, the manager of that World Series-winning team, would spread his arms wide open, indicating his desire for the 6-foot-4, 275-pound closer. A few weeks prior to the White Sox’s 20th anniversary reunion with their most recent championship-winning squad, Jenks passed away.
Bobby Jenks, a 2005 World Series champion and former Chicago White Sox All-Star pitcher, died Sunday, July 4, in Sintra, Portugal. He had been fighting stomach cancer called adenocarcinoma. His age was forty-four.tweet.com/KDb3I0KL66
July 5, 2025, Chicago White Sox (@whitesox)
Guill said in a statement, “Everyone remembers the time I called for the big fella in the World Series.” The 2005 reunion will be a fantastic chance to reunite with all of Bobby’s teammates and coaches and relive some of our best Bobby memories, since everyone has a favorite story about him.
In 2007, Jenks set a relief record by retiring 41 consecutive batters.
In a video tribute, former White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko remarked, “He was embarrassing guys, good hitters, right away.”
Before concluding his career with 19 appearances for the Boston Red Sox in 2011, Jenks saved 173 games with the White Sox from 2005 to 2010. He made 348 appearances during his career, all in relief, and finished 16–20 with a 3.53 ERA and 351 strikeouts.
White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf stated that he will be missed as a husband, father, friend, and teammate. He and his family recognized that cancer would be his hardest battle. We will all always have a particular place in our hearts for him.
Prior to their game against the visiting White Sox on Saturday night, the Colorado Rockies observed a minute of quiet in remembrance of Jenks.
Eleni Tzitzivacos, Jenks’s wife, their two kids, Zeno and Kate, as well as his four children from a previous marriage, Cuma, Nolan, Rylan, and Jackson, survive him.
He was the best teammate, according to former White Sox outfielder Aaron Rowand.
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