Former Chicago White Sox pitcher Bobby Jenks dies at 44

Former Chicago White Sox pitcher Bobby Jenks dies at 44

One The Chicago White Sox reported Friday that Bobby Jenks, a member of the 2005 World Series-winning squad and a two-time All-Star pitcher, had died in Sintra, Portugal.  Earlier this year, Jenks, 44, received a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma, a type of stomach cancer.  Between 2005 and 2010, he spent six seasons with the White Sox. In 2011, he also played for the Boston Red Sox.  The relief pitcher finished his Major League career with 173 saves, a 3.53 ERA, and a 16–20 win–loss record.

"We lost a beloved member of the White Sox family today," said White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf in a statement.  We will never forget Bobby's contributions to our 2005 championship team and the organization overall, nor will we ever forget that ninth inning in Game 4 in Houston.  His family was aware that this cancer would be the most difficult battle he would face.  He will always have a particular place in our hearts and be remembered as a loving husband, father, friend, and teammate.  Jenks was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf after relocating to Portugal last year.  His lungs developed blood clots as a result, which necessitated additional testing.  At that point, the cancer was identified, and he had

 "We're with you, Bobby," the White Sox wrote on Instagram back in February while Jenks was undergoing treatment, adding that the team was thinking about him.  Jenks played in six postseason games during the team's historic drive to the 2005 championship, which ended an 88-year title drought.  He had saves in the series-winning ALDS Game 3 against Boston and the World Series Game 4 against the Houston Astros, and the White Sox finished 11-1 in the postseason.  Jenks recorded forty-one saves in 2006 and forty more in 2007.  In the same year, he tied a Major League record for a bullpen by retiring 41 consecutive batters.

 Ozzie Guillén, the manager of the White Sox during their 2005 championship run, had a distinctive technique of signaling for the team's 6-foot-4, 275-pound closer, Jenks, from the bullpen by extending his arms wide.  A few weeks prior to the team's 20th anniversary reunion event, Jenks died away.  "Everyone remembers the moment I called for the big guy in the World Series," Guillén stated in a statement.  The 2005 reunion will be a unique opportunity for coaches and players to relive some of our greatest experiences with Bobby, as everyone has a favorite Bobby story.  Paul Konerko, a former White Sox first baseman, praised Jenks's pitching in a video tribute, stating that he could "make even the best hitters look foolish."

Jenks stated in his last SoxTV interview of the previous year: "You play for the thrill and love of the game.  I really like doing that.  Since I first started playing baseball, I wanted to win a world championship, therefore I did just that.  Jenks, a native of Mission Hills, California, was originally selected by the then-Anaheim Angels in the fifth round of the 2000 MLB Draft and played in 19 games for the Red Sox.  In honor of Jenks, the Colorado Rockies observed a moment of quiet on Saturday night prior to their game against the White Sox.  The game was later won by Chicago 10–3.

Kuma, Nolan, Rylen, and Jaxson are the four children from a previous marriage that Jenks is survived by, along with his wife, Eleni Tzitzivakos, and their two children, Zeno and Kate.  "Everyone has their favorite Bobby story," Guillén continued.  With all of his teammates and coaches, the 2005 reunion will be a fantastic opportunity to get together and relive those memorable memories.