Just days before the White Sox were set to commemorate the 20th anniversary of their historic 2005 World Series triumph, the franchise was struck by heartbreaking news that cast a somber shadow over the celebration. Bobby Jenks, the flame-throwing closer whose dominant presence on the mound helped seal that unforgettable title run, has passed away at the age of 44.

Jenks died on July 4 after a courageous battle with adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer, leaving the baseball world grieving. Notably, he was a two-time All-Star and was known for his fearsome fastball, which regularly reached 100 mph – a rarity in an era before velocity became routine.

Now, the White Sox community is here honoring the life and legacy of that beloved champion taken away too soon. “Sad news as the White Sox prepare to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their 2005 World Series team: Their closer, Bobby Jenks, passed away yesterday from stomach cancer,” MLB insider Jesse Rogers shared over his X handle.

Back in February, Jenks shared with MLB.com the diagnosis of Stage 4 adenocarcinoma, a type of stomach cancer. On July 4, he passed away in Sintra, Portugal, reported the White Sox, leaving behind his wife, Eleni Tzitzivacos, their two children, Zeno and Kate, and four children from his previous marriage: Cuma, Nolan, Rylan, and Jackson.

Bobby Jenks was a huge part of the South Side family. As we mourn his departure, we cannot help but recall Jenks’ clean ninth inning in Game 4 of the 2005 World Series against the Astros. Remember how he got Orlando Palmeiro to ground out and sealed the White Sox’s first championship in 88 years?

During his time in Chicago, Jenks quickly became a fan favorite. His very first pitch was a blazing 102 mph fastball! While it was just the start to his decorated career, he was later selected for the All-Star Game in both 2006 and 2007 and saved 81 games over those two seasons.

Eventually, he spent six seasons with the White Sox from 2005 to 2010, finishing with a 3.40 ERA in 329 relief appearances and racking up 173 saves. And that’s second only to Bobby Thigpen’s 201 in team history!

Now, the entire baseball family is heartbroken to lose this man at such a young age…

MLB world mourns the demise of the White Sox closer

Fans are in shock and yet to accept that Jenks is no more with us.

“Prayers to the Jenks family.” While the battle against cancer is over, Jenks’ untimely demise has made an incomparable loss for the family. A life still left to offer more to the diamond, and a family left alone from being with the champion.

“Wow, Cancer s—-.” There’s no two-way about this… It is not the first time that we have lost an MLB star to cancer. The Yankees pitcher Mel Stottlemyre, the Tigers’ Fred Hutchinson. Cancer is a bigger challenge for the entire humankind.

“Very sad. He fought hard. RIP Bobby and condolences to his family and friends.” Jenks lost the battle to cancer, but he was a fighter, and he fought till the last. In 2024, the White Sox’s closer managed the Frontier League’s Windy City ThunderBolts but took a leave for cancer treatment. He even shifted to Portugal to stay close to his in-laws. He made every effort to fight the menace till the last, similar to his playing days. Only this time, he couldn’t come back victorious.

“Fan shouldn’t have said anything to Ketel.” Remember, just a few days ago, how Diamondbacks slugger Ketel Marte was heckled on the field by a White Sox fan? He was taunted with some derogatory comments about his late mother, who lost her life in an accident. Some indicated at ‘what goes around, comes around!’ Jenks’ untimely demise is a reminder of the cruelty that life can hold sometimes…

“Horrible news.” And for the White Sox, the timing is even more saddening. They were reportedly preparing for their 2005 World Series championship celebration, just when the news struck. It couldn’t be worse than this.

But Bobby Jenks will forever live in our hearts, our memories, and on the diamond. Thank you for playing “for the love of the game, the joy of it…”