Bobby Jenks, a former Chicago White Sox pitcher and World Series champion, has passed away at the age of 44 following a battle with stomach cancer. The White Sox confirmed his death on July 4, sharing the heartbreaking news on social media.
Jenks had been in Sintra, Portugal, to be closer to his wife’s family after their home in Pacific Palisades, California, was destroyed in the wildfires.
Jenks had been fighting stage 4 adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer, which he revealed publicly five months before his passing. His death has left a profound impact on the White Sox community and his family.
Tributes Pour In for Jenks
The White Sox honored Jenks with a tribute video, writing on social media, “Bobby will forever hold a special place in all our hearts 🤍.” Fellow White Sox alum, A.J. Pierzynski, expressed his sorrow on social media, stating, “Bobby, you will be missed. Prayers to his family.
Huge guy with a huge heart.” Pierzynski ended his post with #2005forever, referring to their 2005 World Series victory, a moment both players shared.
Jenks’ impact was not only felt on the field but also in his personal life, where he was a devoted father of six. His teammates and fans will remember him not only for his powerful pitches but for the big heart that matched his physical stature.
Jenks’ Legacy in Baseball
Jenks made an unforgettable mark in Major League Baseball during his rookie season in 2005. His first pitch for the White Sox was clocked at 102 mph, a fastball that would become a defining moment in his career.
Later that season, he delivered the World Series sweep-ending groundout, leading the White Sox to victory and sparking jubilant celebrations among fans.
In an emotional interview with MLB.com from his hospital bed in Portugal earlier this year, Jenks reflected on his life and career. “You know, the shit I was doing in my 20s and early 30s, no normal person would have survived,” he said, acknowledging his turbulent past while expressing gratitude for the life he lived.
Jenks also spoke candidly about his health, noting, “You have to take care of yourself from top to bottom with nutrition and exercise.” His reflection on his past highlighted how crucial it is to look after one’s health, especially in light of his diagnosis.
Career and Retirement
A two-time MLB All-Star, Jenks played for the Chicago White Sox from 2005 to 2010, before finishing his career with the Boston Red Sox in 2011. Over the course of his career, he became known for his power, dominating hitters with his fastball.
His contribution to the 2005 World Series was unforgettable, and he will forever be remembered as one of the key players in one of the most thrilling seasons in White Sox history.
Jenks’ passing has left a void in the hearts of his fans, teammates, and the broader baseball community, who will remember him as a dominant pitcher, a World Series champion, and a man with a huge heart.
