Former White Sox, Red Sox World Series Champion Stunningly Dies at Just 44

Former Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox pitcher Bobby Jenks died Friday, the White Sox announced.

“Former Chicago White Sox All-Star pitcher and 2005 World Series Champion Bobby Jenks passed away (Friday), July 4, in Sintra, Portugal, where he had been battling adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer,” the team wrote on X. “He was 44 years old.”

Jenks was a two-time All-Star with the White Sox and a key player in their 2005 World Series title. During the 2005 postseason, he had a 2.25 ERA in six games and picked up four saves, including the World Series clinching save in Game 4 against the Houston Astros.

After helping the team win a World Series as a rookie, he put together back-to-back All-Star seasons. He had a 3.41 ERA, 81 saves and 136 strikeouts in 133 games from 2001 to 2007.

Jenks left the White Sox after the 2010 season. He signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Red Sox. He dealt with injuries and ended up playing just 19 games for the Red Sox. He was released by the team in July 2012. After some complications with back surgery, he never played in the big leagues again and was just 30 years old in his final season.

He finished his career with 173 saves, 357 1/3 innings pitched and 351 strikeouts. He will always be remembered for his efforts in bringing the White Sox a championship in 2005.

He is second on the all-time saves list in White Sox franchise history. Only Bobby Thigpen has more saves in White Sox history.

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