Former Red Sox reliever Bobby Jenks died Friday at age 44 after battling an aggressive form of stomach cancer, according to an announcement from the White Sox, his longtime team.
Jenks passed away in Portugal, where he had moved to be closer to his wife’s family. The two-time All-Star had gone public with his diagnosis in February, shortly after receiving it.
Jenks, who saved 173 games and won a World Series during a successful six-year run with Chicago, signed with the Red Sox before the 2011 season, agreeing to a two-year, $12 million contract. He ended up pitching only 19 games for the Red Sox as injuries and other health issues derailed his career.
Jenks dealt with arm and spine issues in 2011, then a pulmonary embolism and colitis. In December 2011, he underwent surgery to have his spine decompressed and to have bone spurs removed, but the procedure was botched by Dr. Kirkham Wood, who left a serrated edge in his back that led to a life-threatening infection. Jenks underwent another emergency surgery weeks later but the complications effectively ended his career. Jenks sued Mass. General Hospital and reached a settlement for $5.1 million in 2019.
Jenks died just days before the White Sox plan to honor the 20th anniversary of their 2005 World Series champion team at Rate Field.
“We have lost an iconic member of the White Sox family today,” said White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf in a statement. “None of us will ever forget that ninth inning of Game 4 in Houston, all that Bobby did for the 2005 World Series champions and for the entire Sox organization during his time in Chicago. He and his family knew cancer would be his toughest battle, and he will be missed as a husband, father, friend and teammate. He will forever hold a special place in all our hearts.”
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