While the majority of America was celebrating the anniversary of its country's independence, the sports world lost one of its own over the weekend. After a battle with adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer, Bobby Jenks passed away at the age of 44.
The New York Post reported the news of his death. Jenks was living in Sintra, Portugal to be closer to his wife's family.
"We have lost an iconic member of the White Sox family today. 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."Jerry Reinsdorf, White Sox Chairman
It was on July 6, 2005 that Jenks first debuted in Major League Baseball. He spent six seasons with the Chicago White Sox before wrapping up his professional career with the Boston Red Sox on July 7th, 2011.
Bobby Jenks Ranks as One of the All-Time Greats in the White Sox's history
With 351 career strikeouts and 173 saves, the Mission Hills, California native won a World Series in his first year in MLB. Jenks became an All-Star in his next two seasons with the Chicago White Sox (2006 and 2007).
Originally the 140th overall pick of the 2000 MLB Draft's fifth round, Jenks was waived by the Anaheim Angels in mid-December of 2004.
Arguably, his best season was in 2007 when Jenks tied the record for most consecutive retired batters. The previous mark was held solely by Jim Barr of the San Francisco Giants. Joey Gathright of the Kansas City Royals broke up Jenks' streak.
On December 2, 2010, the White Sox made Jenks a free agent when they did not issue him a new contract.
Back on September 13, 2011, the Boston Red Sox shared that Jenks had been diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism. He came down with colitis soon after. The former White Sox player pitched in 19 games, and went 2–2 with an ERA of 6.32 in 2011.
"Everybody was crushed knowing this was gonna happen. We didn’t know how soon it was gonna be, but he was in very bad shape. When I heard the news this morning it was like, wow. Everything went through my mind, from the first time I met him to the last time I played golf with him last year. Most of the players I’m talking to right now, they’re crushed."Ozzie Guillen, former White Sox manager
That would be the last season he pitched. Jenks finished with the second-most saves (172) in White Sox history, only behind Bobby Thigpen (201). Greats like Roberto Hernandez and Keith Foulke are the only other relief pitchers with more than 100 saves for the White Sox.
In February of this year, Jenks went public with his medical and shared that he was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, essentially stomach cancer. The 2005 World Series champion is survived by his wife, Eleni, and six children from two marriages.