Former All-Star closer Bobby Jenks revealed Saturday that he is battling Stage 4 stomach cancer.
Jenks, who recorded the final out of the Chicago White Sox’s sweep of the Houston Astros in the 2005 World Series, is currently hospitalized in Portugal, where he moved recently 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 MLB.com in an interview from his hospital bed. ‘I’ll tell you one thing: I’m not going to die here in Portugal.’
Jenks, 43, first began experiencing blood clots in his calf and lungs late last year shortly after he, his wife and two of their six children moved to Portugal.
After undergoing more tests, a CT scan revealed he had a tumor in the middle of his chest. Jenks said the tumor spread into his stomach lining, bones, hips and lower back.
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On top of everything else, he found out that his family home in Pacific Palisades, California, was destroyed by the recent wildfires in the area. Though he still has his 2005 World Series ring, most of his baseball memorabilia was destroyed in the fire.
‘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.’
Jenks made his MLB debut midway through that magical 2005 season, throwing his blazing fastball over 100 mph and taking over the White Sox closer’s job in September. He pitched to a 2.25 ERA with four saves that postseason, including Game 1 and Game 4 of the World Series, retiring Houston’s Orlando Palmeiro on a ground ball to clinch the sweep.
Jenks was named an American League All-Star in 2006 and 2007, recording a pair of 40-save seasons. He remained with the White Sox until he became a free agent at the end of the 2010 season. He played one year with the Boston Red Sox before retiring.