Bobby Jenks, the former closer for the Chicago White Sox who helped end their 88-year World Series drought in 2005, has died at age 44 after a lengthy battle with stomach cancer. While he only pitched in six seasons for the White Sox, to say he left an indelible mark on the South Side would be an understatement. He took center stage for the franchise’s greatest moment of the past century, closing out Game Four of the World Series against the Houston Astros to complete the sweep.
Former All-Star Closer Bobby Jenks Has Died After Battling Cancer
Former Chicago White Sox All-Star pitcher and 2005 World Series Champion Bobby Jenks passed away yesterday, July 4, in Sintra, Portugal, where he had been battling adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer. He was 44 years old. pic.twitter.com/KDb3I0KL66
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 5, 2025
Breaking the Drought
Jenks was selected in the fifth round of the 2000 MLB Draft by the then-Anaheim Angels. He spent several years in their minor league system, but often found himself injured due to how fast he threw. The White Sox claimed him off waivers before the 2005 season, and he made his major league debut that July. That White Sox team caught lightning in a bottle, dominating the American League all season following years of mediocrity. Jenks notched six saves in the regular season, then two more in a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS. He did not pitch in the ALCS against the Angels, but appeared in all four games of the Fall Classic.
Incredibly sad news. RIP Bobby Jenks pic.twitter.com/9g0rFxakxA
— Joe Binder (@JoeBinder) July 5, 2025
Jenks nailed down a four-out save in the opener. In a memorable moment, manager Ozzie Guillen called to the bullpen in the eighth inning to relieve Neal Cotts, but right after making the traditional hand gesture, Guillen widened his hands horizontally, then vertically. That could mean only one thing: he wanted the big guy to shut the door. Jenks did just that.
RIP Bobby Jenks ?️ pic.twitter.com/fyDFVgLETH
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 5, 2025
In the deciding Game Four, the White Sox were clinging to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the ninth with the tying run on second for Houston. Jenks was an out away from sealing Chicago’s (the city, not just the team) first World Series title since 1917. Pinch hitter Orlando Palmeiro hit a slow chopper to shortstop Juan Uribe, who fired to first baseman Paul Konerko. It was a close play at first, and may have been reversed had replay review existed back then. But the umpire called Palmeiro out, and that was that. The drought was over.
Later Career
While Jenks’ rookie season was his most memorable, he became even more dominant in 2006 and 2007. In those years, he notched 41 and 40 saves, respectively, and was an AL All-Star. In 2007, he tied an MLB record by retiring 41 batters in a row. Unlike fellow record holder Jim Barr, who did it for the San Francisco Giants in 1972, Jenks got all his outs in relief. Jenks’ teammate Mark Buehrle would set a new record of 44 in 2009, and Giants pitcher Yusmeiro Petit retired 46 straight in 2014.
Jenks stayed with the White Sox through the 2010 season, then pitched his last season with the Red Sox in 2011. He suffered extensive complications following surgery to remove bone spurs, which forced him into early retirement.
For his career, Jenks had a record of 16-20 with a 3.53 ERA and 173 saves (all with the White Sox). The latter figure ranks second in franchise history behind Bobby Thigpen (201).
From 2021 to 2023, Jenks was both a coach and a manager in the minor leagues. After announcing his diagnosis of adenocarcinoma this past February, Jenks passed away on Friday in Portugal.
Main Photo Credit: © Dennis Wierzbicki-Imagn Images
