Former White Sox pitcher, world champ Jenks dies

Bobby Jenks, a erstwhile two-time All-Star pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, who was connected the roster erstwhile the franchise triumph the 2005 World Series, died connected Friday successful Sintra, Portugal, the squad announced.

Jenks, 44, who had been battling adenocarcinoma, a signifier of tummy cancer, spent six seasons with the White Sox from 2005-10, besides played for the Boston Red Sox successful 2011. All told, the reliever finished his large league vocation astatine 16-20 with a 3.53 ERA and 173 saves.

"We person mislaid an iconic subordinate of the White Sox household today," White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said successful a statement. "None of america volition ever hide that ninth inning of Game 4 successful Houston, each that Bobby did for the 2005 World Series champions and for the full Sox enactment during his clip successful Chicago. He and his household knew crab would beryllium his toughest battle, and helium volition beryllium missed arsenic a husband, father, person and teammate. He volition everlastingly clasp a peculiar spot successful each our hearts."

After Jenks moved to Portugal past year, helium was diagnosed with a heavy vein thrombosis successful his close calf. That yet dispersed into humor clots successful his lungs, prompting further testing. He was aboriginal diagnosed with adenocarcinoma, and began undergoing radiation.

In February, arsenic Jenks battled illness, the White Sox posted a "We basal with you, Bobby," station connected Instagram, adding, successful the post, that the nine was "thinking of Bobby arsenic helium is being treated."

Bobby volition everlastingly clasp a peculiar spot successful each our hearts 🤍 pic.twitter.com/CLNi7g0Tzh

In 2005, arsenic the White Sox ended an 88-year drought en way to the title, Jenks appeared successful six postseason games. Chicago went 11-1 successful the playoffs, and helium earned saves successful series-clinching wins successful Game 3 of the ALDS astatine Boston, and Game 4 of the World Series against the Houston Astros.

"You play for the emotion of the game, the joyousness of it," Jenks said successful his past interrogation with SoxTV past year. "It's what I emotion to do. I (was) playing to beryllium a satellite champion, and that's what I wanted to bash from the clip I picked up a baseball."

A autochthonal of Mission Hills, California, Jenks appeared successful 19 games for the Red Sox, and wa primitively drafted by the then-Anaheim Angels successful the 5th circular of the 2000 draft.

Jenks is survived by his wife, Eleni Tzitzivacos, their 2 children, Zeno and Kate, and his 4 children from a anterior marriage, Cuma, Nolan, Rylan and Jackson.