Bobby Jenks, Former White Sox Pitcher, Dead at 44 After Cancer Battle

The baseball world is mourning a star.

Robert “Bobby” Jenks, a two-time All-Star pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, passed away on July 4 in Portugal after a tough fight against stage 4 stomach cancer. He was 44 years old. [This version maintains the original meaning but uses more conversational language to make it easier to read.]

The White Sox organization sadly announced on July 4th that we’ve lost a cherished member of our White Sox family. This individual will always be remembered, especially by that dramatic ninth inning of Game 4 in Houston, and all the contributions they made to our 2005 World Series team and the entire organization during their time with us here in Chicago. (This statement was made by Jerry Reinsdorf, chairman of the White Sox.)

He and his loved ones understood that cancer was the most challenging fight he’d face, and he’ll be deeply missed as a spouse, parent, companion, and fellow team player,” he went on to say. “He will always have a cherished spot in each of our hearts.

During his years with the Chicago White Sox (2005-2010) and the Boston Red Sox in 2011, Jenks demonstrated his resilience not only on the playing field but also in his personal life by standing strong for his family.

In his statement to Major League Baseball, Paul Konerko reminisced about Bobby as a formidable figure on the field, known for his impressive 100 mph pitches and tough competition, but off the field, he was like a giant soft toy or teddy bear. Bobby was a crucial element in our team’s triumphs, often taking the mound at the end of crucial games, and he will be deeply missed by everyone.

Although he formally retired from Major League Baseball in 2011, Joey Jenks, who is married to Eleni Tzitzivacos and has kids named Zeno and Kate, as well as children with his ex-wife Adele Romkee – Cuma, Nolan, Rylan, and Jackson – didn’t step away from the sport. Instead, he continued his career in baseball by managing the Windy City Thunderbolts in the Frontier League. Baseball was a significant part of every aspect of his life.

He said on SoxTV last year, “I play because of the game’s charm, the fun it brings. It’s something I enjoy doing. My goal is to become a world champion, which has been my dream since I first held a baseball.

The events following Jenks’ diagnosis were more challenging than just that, as he disclosed to MLB.com in February. Earlier this year, his Los Angeles house was destroyed by wildfires, which occurred during his treatment. Although most of his baseball memorabilia perished in the fire, he had his World Series championship ring with him at the time.

As Jenks grieved over his lost possessions, he kept in mind what truly counted during his struggle – it wasn’t about physical belongings.

Jenks playfully remarked to the media, ‘I wasn’t brought up a Cubs fan around here,'” or simply, “Jenks jokingly told the media, ‘No Cubs fandom here while I was growing up.'” Furthermore, he added, “My goal is to maintain my mental and physical well-being as best I can throughout this journey, particularly for the kids.

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2025-07-07 17:47