A former MLB All-Star revealed that he is being treated for stomach cancer.
Bobby Jenks, a two-time All-Star who closed out the 2005 World Series for the Chicago White Sox, said he is undergoing treatment for Stage 4 adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer. The 43-year-old is undergoing treatment in Portugal, where he moved to be closer to his wife’s family.
“Now it’s time to do what I got to do to get myself better and get myself more time, however you want to look at it,” Jenks told Scott Merkin of MLB.com. “I’ll tell you one thing: I’m not going to die here in Portugal.
“They are not going to put any numbers on it. I wouldn’t even want numbers. You hear stories all the time, ‘Oh, they gave me six months, 25 years ago.’ I don’t buy into that. Whatever happens is going to happen regardless.”
Jenks had a number of health issues late in 2024, which led to the discovery of a tumor in his chest. He said the cancer has spread to his stomach, lower back, and hips.
The former closer has had a difficult few months. In addition to his health problems, he revealed he lost his Pacific Palisades home to January’s wildfires, as well as all his baseball memorabilia.
“I’ve got one suitcase left to my name,” Jenks said. “It’s all gone. Everything else I’ve ever done. I have everything, first to first. All those things are irreplaceable.”
To combat the disease, Jenks is undergoing radiation treatment to try to shrink the tumor before discussing next steps. He added that one of his goals is to be able to return to Chicago in July for the 20-year World Series reunion celebration that the White Sox have planned.
He also hopes to return to his job as manager of the Windy City Thunderbolts, an independent league team.
Jenks played in Major League Baseball from 2005 to 2011, with all but one of his six seasons coming with the White Sox. He burst onto the scene in 2005 and became an All-Star closer, tallying 173 total saves during his career. He also recorded the final out of the team’s 2005 World Series win, which ended their 88-year title drought.
