This Friday, the Chicago White Sox announced the tragic passing of former star closer Bobby Jenks. The two-time All-Star, best known for his key role in the 2005 World Series, died on July 4, 2025, in Sintra, Portugal, after battling stage 4 adenocarcinoma—a form of stomach cancer. He was 44 years old.
What did Bobby Jenks die of?
Jenks had been diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer and had relocated in late 2024 to Portugal to be near family. The White Sox organization confirmed that he succumbed to the disease after months of treatment.
How old was Bobby Jenks?
Bobby Jenks was born on March 14, 1981. At the time of his death, he was 44 years old.
What was Bobby Jenks’s net worth?
At the time of his death, Jenks’s net worth was estimated at $5.1 million, largely due to a significant $5.1 million settlement he received in 2019 after a malpractice lawsuit. The lawsuit stemmed from complications arising from spinal surgery in December 2011, which effectively ended his playing career.
Career highlights and statistics
Robert Scott Jenks burst onto the Major League Baseball scene in 2005 after being selected by the Anaheim Angels in the 2000 draft and later claimed off waivers by the White Sox in December 2004. He made his debut on July 6, 2005, and almost immediately became a dominant presence on the mound. That same season, he recorded saves in both Game 4 of the ALDS and Game 4 of the World Series, helping the White Sox break Chicago’s 88-year championship drought.
From 2005 through 2010, Jenks amassed 173 saves, making him the franchise’s second all-time saves leader. He struck out 334 batters in 329 relief appearances, earning American League All-Star selections in 2006 and 2007. In 2007, he tied an MLB mark by retiring 41 consecutive batters.
In 2011, he signed with the Boston Red Sox but struggled with chronic spinal issues that limited him to just 19 games and robbed him of his closer’s role.
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Life after MLB
Following his early retirement, Jenks turned to coaching and stayed involved in baseball. In 2022, he led the Grand Junction Rockies to a Pioneer League championship and was honored as Manager of the Year. In 2023, he took over as the manager of the Windy City ThunderBolts, guiding the independent Frontier League team.
His post-playing life was marked by the aftermath of his December 2011 spinal surgery. A controversial “concurrent surgery” performed at the same time as another operation led to complications, including spinal fluid leaks, infection, and permanent disability. The resulting legal action concluded in 2019 with a $5.1 million settlement.
Who survives him?
Bobby Jenks is survived by his wife, Eleni Tzitzivacos, and their two children, Zeno and Kate. He also leaves behind four children from a previous marriage: Cuma, Nolan, Rylan, and Jackson. His family, teammates, and fans remember him as a fierce competitor and devoted father.
Bobby Jenks—an electric closer whose 102 mph fastball helped deliver Chicago’s first World Series title in 88 years—has died at age 44 from stomach cancer. His legacy includes 173 saves, two All-Star nods, and an resilient post-playing career as a coach. Though spinal surgery complications ended his time on the field, they also led to a landmark $5.1 million malpractice settlement. Jenks will be remembered not only for his achievements on the mound but also for his strength, determination, and dedication to family and baseball.
