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Bobby Jenks Passes Away

By Nick Deeds | July 5, 2025 at 4:14pm CDT

Two-time All-Star and 2005 World Series champion Bobby Jenks passed away yesterday, per an announcement from the White Sox. Chicago also released a tribute video alongside the announcement. Jenks passed after a battle with adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer. He was just 44 years old.

Jenks was a fifth-round pick by the Angels in the 2000 draft but was designated for assignment by the Halos before he even made it to the big leagues. He was claimed off the waiver wire by the White Sox and joined the big league bullpen in July of 2005. He scuffled a bit early on, with four runs allowed across his first five appearances in the big leagues, but settled in not long after that and notched his first career save on August 25 when he closed out a ten-inning game against the Twins.

He continued in a late-inning role for those White Sox down the stretch, and finished the regular season with a 2.75 ERA, six saves, and a 29.8% strikeout rate. Jenks’s dominance carried over into the postseason with a 2.25 ERA, four saves, and eight strikeouts in eight playoff innings. The right-hander was on the mound to finish off the club’s four-game sweep of the Astros in the Fall Classic, closing out a 1-0 victory by inducing a groundout from Orlando Palmeiro to emerge from his rookie season as a World Series champion.

He followed up that performance in his first season by pitching his way into an All-Star berth in both 2006 and 2007. He fully settled into the White Sox closer role by that point, with 81 saves across those two campaigns. That dominant 2007 season in particular saw him retire 41 consecutive batters, which was good for an MLB record at the time. By the end of the 2008 campaign, Jenks had a career 3.21 ERA with a 3.27 FIP with 146 saves collected over his time with the Sox. His numbers took a nosedive in 2009, however, as he surrendered a 4.44 ERA in 52 2/3 innings of work. Underlying analytics suggest that Jenks had pitched better than that ERA would suggest given his 2.59 FIP and 26.4% strikeout rate that year, but that wasn’t enough to stop the White Sox from deciding to part ways with him after the season.

Jenks went on to sign with the Red Sox on a two-year, $12MM contract not long after that, but the deal proved to be ill-fated. He struggled with injuries throughout the 2011 season, and posted a 6.32 ERA across the 19 appearances he was healthy enough to get on the mound for. The injuries worsened, and an MRI eventually revealed bone spurs on his spine. He underwent surgery on his back in December of 2011, but complications from that surgery arose after his surgeon left a serrated edge in his back. The effects of that mistake left Jenks bedridden and he ultimately was released by the Red Sox in June of 2012 and retired from baseball at just 31 years old.

Jenks retired from baseball with a career 3.53 ERA, 351 strikeouts, and 173 saves despite having his career cut short after just seven seasons. He returned to baseball as a coach in 2021, serving as pitching coach for the independent Pioneer League’s Grand Junction Rockies that year. He was promoted to manager for 2022 and later served as a coach in the Appalachian League and a manager in the Frontier League, though a cancer diagnosis he announced in February of 2025 forced him to bring his coaching career to a close.

In the wake of today’s news, former teammate A.J. Pierzynski remembered Jenks in a post on social media, while longtime MLB.com White Sox beat writer Scott Merkin shared a conversation he had with Jenks back in February, shortly after his diagnosis. We at MLB Trade Rumors join them and the rest of the baseball world in extending our condolences to Jenks’s family, friends, loved ones, and all of those whose lives he touched during his time in the game.

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66 Comments

  1. tigers182

    5 days ago

    Wow. Way too damned young. 😞

    47
    Reply
  2. mlbgeek

    5 days ago

    RIP! So young!

    25
    Reply
  3. Acoss1331

    5 days ago

    Woah what the eff man??? Jeez that’s terrible! He’s always going to be part of White Sox lore for his contribution to the 2005 championship team. Rest in peace Bobby.

    27
    Reply
    • Fever Pitch Guy

      5 days ago

      Acoss – In February this was heavily discussed here and elsewhere. It’s awful, but unfortunately at least partially self-inflicted.

      RIP Bobby, thoughts and prayers to your loved ones.

      google.com/amp/s/www.mlb.com/amp/news/bobby-jenks-…

      “You know, the sh** 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.”

      9
      Reply
      • braveshomer

        5 days ago

        What was he doing that caused stomach cancer?! That’s wild and sad to hear!…(on the app.and can’t click the link you provided)

        1
        Reply
        • Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman

          4 days ago

          Probably swallowing tobacco chew like lots of guys do..

          1
          Reply
      • DonOsbourne

        5 days ago

        @ Fever

        Thanks for the link. Reading that story, it’s like “wow!”, this guy had really bad run of luck. It’s a terrible ending to a remarkable story. I hope his family finds peace.

        4
        Reply
      • letitbelowenstein

        5 days ago

        Fever – Appreciate the link. But for him to say alcohol and poor nutrition caused this is a bit far-fetched. That being the case, my brother and I should have died in the 1990s.

        5
        Reply
        • redsoxu571

          5 days ago

          I think what he was suggesting is that he didn’t take care of his body well, further opening the door to whatever factors can cause cancer. Such a terrible disease, RIP Bobby Jenks!

          2
          Reply
        • Fever Pitch Guy

          2 days ago

          let – Alcohol does indeed increase the risk of stomach cancer. And if he ate crap all the time, that means he didn’t eat healthy food like fruits and veggies which contain various vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals that can protect cells from damage and significantly help prevent the development of cancer.

          pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5256369/

          “This suggests that alcohol drinking can increase the risk for gastric cancer. This may be because alcohol can act as a solvent, assisting other harmful chemicals to enter the cells lining in the upper digestive tract more easily.”

          Reply
  4. Joe Kerr

    5 days ago

    Thank you for the fond memories of the ’05 championship run. RIP

    17
    Reply
  5. DarkSide830

    5 days ago

    RIP Bobby. Darn fine RP.

    16
    Reply
  6. rolandveras

    5 days ago

    RIP

    10
    Reply
  7. Unclemike1526

    5 days ago

    Way to early for Bobby to go. Sox don’t win in 2005 without him. Always have big memories of him. RIP Bobby. Too soon.

    17
    Reply
  8. Alan53

    5 days ago

    Oh, sorry to hear. He was a wonderful closer and a great personality. And last year surfaced as manager of the Windy City Thunderbolts, a local treasure. Real sadness for Chicago fans, both sides of town.

    16
    Reply
  9. Lefty_Orioles_Fan

    5 days ago

    Wow very sad…even as I get older…you don’t know the time or the place or even why sometimes
    And he suffered…Stomach cancer is not pleasant…May Bobby Jenks Rest in Peace

    17
    Reply
  10. bbgods

    5 days ago

    RIP, Bobby Jenks.

    11
    Reply
  11. Logjammer D'Baggagecling

    5 days ago

    I was watching the Cubs game when this news broke.
    Rest in Paradise Mr. Jwnks

    9
    Reply
  12. Dumpster Divin Theo

    5 days ago

    So sad and so soon. First the Cobra, then the Jota accident now Bobby. He had just found happiness as a minor league manager when he got sick. And to pass just a week before the 2005 reunion. RIP buddy

    15
    Reply
    • IronBallsMcGinty

      5 days ago

      Yeah, I read a recent interview with him and he mentioned how determined he was to make it to the celebration.
      Absolutely heartbreaking.

      1
      Reply
  13. James Midway

    5 days ago

    Praying for his family and friends. 44 is just too soon.

    18
    Reply
  14. 2183281

    5 days ago

    Way too young. RIP BJ.

    8
    Reply
  15. Andy 51

    5 days ago

    The 2005 World Series win would never have happened without you. RIP Bobby you were a heck of a closer.

    8
    Reply
    • robw5555

      5 days ago

      I saw him mention that he hoped to make it to the 2005 celebration. He was in very bad health.

      2
      Reply
  16. HiredGun23

    5 days ago

    RIP B. Jenks!!!

    9
    Reply
  17. BravesNomad

    5 days ago

    Sorry to hear this, prayers for his family.

    8
    Reply
  18. This one belongs to the Reds

    5 days ago

    Wow, seems like he was just pitching yesterday. RIP. Must be rough for family and friends to lose him so soon.

    10
    Reply
  19. 2012orioles

    5 days ago

    The big and wide guy. Prayers up for his family and friends.

    7
    Reply
  20. Atlanta Jack

    5 days ago

    Thank you Bobby!! Rest in peace.

    10
    Reply
  21. Sox68

    5 days ago

    Rest in peace Bobby, my thoughts are with your family

    7
    Reply
  22. jorge78

    5 days ago

    RIP Bobby…..

    8
    Reply
  23. HalosHeavenJJ

    5 days ago

    Horrible news. Prayers for his loved ones.

    6
    Reply
  24. yogineely

    5 days ago

    Rip. Too young

    7
    Reply
  25. Gwynning

    5 days ago

    Dang it. Heartbreaking. RIP Bobby

    7
    Reply
  26. Jump 84

    5 days ago

    Condolences to Jenks family, Bobby Jenks Rest in peace. Forever young #45. Pretty sure Southside will always love ya.

    6
    Reply
  27. Monkey’s Uncle

    5 days ago

    That’s awful. R.I.P. Bobby Jenks

    Also another RIP that this site hasn’t reported yet: Hosken Powell, former Twins and Blue Jays outfielder.

    6
    Reply
  28. ActionDan

    5 days ago

    Man this is horrible news. I heard not long ago he had cancer. Not sure how long. As a Tigers fan I remember him well. Tough pitcher to go against. Prayers for the Jenks family and ChiSox nation!

    7
    Reply
  29. draker

    5 days ago

    He was a fun player to watch. My favorite Bobby Jenks memory was when Ozzie Guillen signaled for him by motioning for the fat guy.

    14
    Reply
  30. yanks2323

    5 days ago

    Oh man, so sad!

    2
    Reply
  31. WhiteSx2024

    5 days ago

    Damn, I was just watching a vid of him pitching RIP BOBBY

    2
    Reply
  32. all in the suit that you wear

    5 days ago

    RIP

    2
    Reply
  33. angt222

    5 days ago

    RIP

    1
    Reply
  34. Poolhalljunkies

    5 days ago

    So sad RIP..stomach cancer sounds brutal and based on the time since diagnosed
    .aggressive

    1
    Reply
  35. Kelly Wunsch N' Munch

    5 days ago

    Thank you for the amazing memories. Best wishes to all of your loved ones. Rest in Peace Mr. Jenks.

    3
    Reply
  36. Rsox

    5 days ago

    Terrible. R.I.P. Bobby.

    For a very short while he was a dominant Closer and won a ring on the south side

    1
    Reply
  37. Cora the Destroya

    5 days ago

    He’s so young, very sad. I also remember him on the Red Sox.

    1
    Reply
  38. BigB

    5 days ago

    He threw 100 when it wasn’t as common as it is today. He was fun to watch. RIP big man.

    4
    Reply
  39. Whifff

    5 days ago

    RIP Bobby. How many world champion have three different closers in the season? And all four starters throw a
    complete game in a series? He was part of some magical pitching, pitching we’ll never see again. You were fun to watch Big Bobby.

    2
    Reply
    • ChuckyNJ

      5 days ago

      He was a World Series winner, not a so-called “world champion”. ESPN pulled the same s#!t in its story about Mr. Jenks.
      On a side note, Mr. Jenks passed away in Portugal where he moved earlier this year to be closer to his wife’s family.

      2
      Reply
  40. Sparky1000

    5 days ago

    Gosh, 44 is way too young! He deserved to have lived longer, but R.I.P. Jenks…

    1
    Reply
  41. JScottG

    5 days ago

    R.I.P. Big guy!
    A good pitcher, a great guy, and an amazing human being.
    Somewhere Ozzie is signaling with his right arm up high and with both hands out wide.
    And God called in the Big Guy.

    1
    Reply
  42. brucebochyisthemarlboroman

    5 days ago

    Oh my god this is so awful to hear! RIP Bobby!

    1
    Reply
  43. SplitFingeredPujol

    5 days ago

    I rarely post here, but Jenks was special. I had never seen an arm like his. Really feel for his children, that awful. Hug your loved ones, everybody.

    5
    Reply
  44. Osuarez24

    5 days ago

    RIP Bobby and peace to your family. God bless and keep you always!

    1
    Reply
  45. rockingryan

    5 days ago

    Rest in plush Bob Jenks. Bob was so good I’d say even as of yesterday he could of given an MLB team a solid inning or two with multiple k’s. He. Was. That. Good!

    3
    Reply
  46. Dumpster Divin Theo

    5 days ago

    Feel privileged to have been in attendance for his series clinching win in Boston, and the final out of the World Series in Houston. Really gets you when you see a tough guy like Aaron Rowand breaking down on camera when asked to describe what a gentle soul Bobby was. Just like the Cobra passing away just before his induction into Cooperstown, a shame Bobby wasn’t well enough to join his teammates next weekend. Sure there will be plenty of stories

    4
    Reply
    • SplitFingeredPujol

      4 days ago

      Well said.

      2
      Reply
  47. brushbackmlb

    5 days ago

    He was an original and a big piece of White Sox history. Very nice write-up here, MLBTR.

    3
    Reply
  48. casualfan

    5 days ago

    RIP

    Reply
  49. Baseballisthebest

    5 days ago

    Just 44 years old! Cancer sucks. RIP.

    Reply
  50. batsbaseball

    5 days ago

    He was in my fantasy team. Rip

    Reply
    • SplitFingeredPujol

      4 days ago

      Is this a serious comment? Jesus Christ. Seek help.

      Reply
  51. nrd1138

    4 days ago

    RIP

    Reply
  52. energel

    3 days ago

    Went to my High school. never played baseball though becuase of bad grades

    1
    Reply
    • energel

      3 days ago

      RIP way too young to die

      1
      Reply

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