This season will mark the 20th anniversary of the Chicago White Sox World Series Championship.
One big part of that World Series Championship team was closer Bobby Jenks, who recorded the final out of the series by making Orlando Palmeiro of the Houston Astros ground out to win the game.
Now 20 years later, Jenks is in the fight for his life after it was announced that he is battling cancer.
The Chicago White Sox’s former closer is battling cancer
According to MLB.com Scott Merkin, the now 43-year-old Jenks is battling stage 4 adenocarcinoma, which is a form of stomach cancer. Jenks, who lives over in Portugal to be closer to his wife’s family, said he was “stunned” when he found out he had cancer, but said he wasn’t surprised given his past behavior.
“I’ll tell you one thing: I’m not going to die here in Portugal." I spoke this morning with Bobby Jenks, who is battling Stage 4 stomach cancer, being treated at a hospital in Portugal. Here's the former White Sox closer's story, with a message: https://t.co/fzquSZCYHk
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) February 15, 2025
“You know, the expletive I was doing in my 20s and early 30s, no normal person would have survived,” said Jenks, mincing no words as is his custom. “So, in one way, I’m grateful to be alive. In another way, I’m not surprised this happened. It goes to show you have to take care of yourself from top to bottom with nutrition and exercise and having a good daily plan.
I’m not saying you need to turn yourself into a Greek god, but you need to watch what you put into your body. Unfortunately, in my 20s, it was the last thing on my mind, being worried about what was going in. I’m not saying that’s 100 percent the factor of what happened here.”
The father of six told Merkin that he has made some life changes to improve his overall health by cutting out alcohol and has been trying to eat healthier.
The former White Sox closer
Jenks was originally drafted by the Anaheim Angels in the fifth round of the 2000 amateur draft. The White Sox claimed Jenks off waivers from the Angels in December 2004, and Jenks debuted with the White Sox on July 6, 2005, against the Baltimore Orioles. During his debut, Jenks pitched an inning, struck out two, and walked one batter.
For his White Sox career, the Inglemoor HS (Kenmore, WA) alumni pitched in 329 games, where he accumulated a record of 14-18, with a 3.40 ERA, and 173 saves in 341.2 innings. Jenks was a 2x All-Star (2006, 2007) and reached 40 saves in those two seasons.
The Chicago White Sox win their first World Series since 1917.
(October 26th, 2005)pic.twitter.com/kyf6SLrI6w
— Baseball’s Greatest Moments (@BBGreatMoments) September 29, 2023
Jenks’s career with the White Sox ended when he was non-tendered a contract for the 2011 season. During the 2010 season, Jenks numbers jumped, having a 1-3 record and a 4.44 ERA in 55 games (52.2 innings). The Boston Red Sox took a chance on Jenks, but it didn’t go well, with the right-hander struggling in 19 games going 2-2 with a 6.32 ERA in 15.2 innings pitched.
Praying for a quick recovery
Hopefully, the former World Series Champion, has a speedy recovery and is thankfully, in good spirits.
The White Sox are set to honor the 2005 team this year and hopefully, Jenks can be there to enjoy the festivities and receive a nice welcome home from the fans.
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