Former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks passed away Friday at the age of 44 in Sintra, Portugal, where he and his family had relocated to be closer to his wife’s relatives. Jenks had been battling a terminal form of stomach cancer known as adenocarcinoma, a diagnosis he publicly shared in February.
Jenks spent just six seasons in Chicago, compiling a 3.40 ERA with 173 saves and 351 strikeouts over 357.1 innings. But his impact went far beyond the stat sheet — Jenks remains a beloved figure in White Sox history and in the hearts of the team’s fans.
From bursting onto the scene as a flame-throwing rookie in 2005, to Ozzie Guillen’s now-iconic wide-armed bullpen signal, Bobby Jenks quickly became a fan favorite — and a crucial piece of the White Sox’s 2005 World Series run. The Mission Hills, California native delivered in the biggest moments, cementing his place in franchise history.
He appeared in six postseason games, locking down saves in the series-clinching Game 3 of the ALDS at Fenway Park, as well as Games 1 and 4 of the World Series, helping seal the franchise’s first championship in 88 years.
“We 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, al 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.”
While Jenks will mostly be remembered for securing the final out of the 2005 World Series, he was also a two-time All-Star for the White Sox after saving 41 games in 2006 and then 40 in 2007. During his 2007 campaign, he matched a record for relievers by retiring 41 consecutive batters. He finished his career in 2011 with the Boston Red Sox.
He finished his career with a 3.53 ERA and 173 saves.
I’m not so sure we would have won the title in ‘05 without him. The guy was larger than life. You’ll be missed Bobby.
RIP Bobby!!