Former Chicago White Sox Closer Bobby Jenks passed away at the age of 44 of stomach cancer.
Jenks, who won the World Series Championship with the White Sox in 2005, was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma earlier this year and died in Portugal on Friday.
“We lost an iconic White Sox family member today,” said White Sox chair Jerry Reindolph. “Nine innings of Game 4 in Houston, what Bobby did throughout the Sox organization during his time in 2005 World Series champion and Chicago, he and his family knew that cancer was his toughest fight.
Jenks spoke to Athletic about his diagnosis of stage 4 stomach cancer earlier this year. This comes weeks after a Southern California home burned out in January by the Palisade fire in the Los Angeles area.
“I realized that could take six months or three years,” he said. “But I’m ready. That’s going to take some time. I’m going to fight it here.”
He made his MLB debut with the White Sox during the notable 2005 season, earning six saves and a 2.75 ERA during the regular season. He was particularly important in the playoffs, earning four more saves to close out the final World Series match. This gave the team their first title in 88 years.
Jenks made 173 saves in six seasons with the White Sox.
The California native pitched for the Boston Red Sox for the 2011 MLB season.
According to the White Sox, Jenks was survived by his wife Eleni Zizzivakos, two children, Zeno and Kate, and his previous marriage, Bear, Nolan, Rylan and Jackson.
