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.
‘Bobby Jenks is one of my all-time favorite players. I loved that man,’ Guillen said in a statement released by the White Sox. ‘This is a very sad day for everyone involved with the White Sox.’
Says former catcher and current Fox Sports analyst A.J. Pierzynski: ‘Bobby was a larger-than-life figure and fans related to him. He overcame a lot early in life to have a great playing career, and after his playing days he did a lot of positive things to help himself and others. I was fortunate enough to catch him in some of the biggest games in White Sox history, and I will never forget jumping into his arms after the last out of the World Series.’
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.