Former All-Star closer Bobby Jenks revealed on Saturday that he is battling stage 4 stomach cancer.
Jenks, who scored the final from a sweep of the Chicago White Sox’s Houston Astros in the 2005 World Series, is currently hospitalized in Portugal and has recently moved to approach his wife’s family.
“Now it’s time to do what I have to do to make myself better and get more time, but you want to see it,” Jenks said. He spoke to MLB.com in an interview from his hospital bed. “I say one thing to you: I am not going to die here in Portugal.”
Jenks, 43, first began experiencing blood clots in his calves and lungs shortly after his wife and two of his six children moved to Portugal late last year.
After taking further tests, a CT scan revealed a tumor in the middle of the chest. Jenx said the tumor spreads to the stomach lining, bones, hips and hips.
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In addition to everything else, he learned that his family’s home in Pacific Palisard, California had been destroyed by a recent wildfire in the area. He still has a 2005 World Series ring, but most of the baseball memorabilia was destroyed in the fire.
“I have one suitcase left in my name,” Jenks said. “It’s all gone. Everything else I’ve done. I have everything first. They’re all irreplaceable.”
Jenks made his MLB debut midway through the magical season of 2005, throwing a fiery fastball for over 100 miles and taking over his White Sox closer work in September. He pitched the postseason, including Games 1 and Game 4, to 2.25 ERA with four saves, and retired Houston’s Orlando Palmeiro with the ground ball to get a sweep.
Jenks was selected as an American League All-Star in 2006 and 2007, recording a 40th round season. He stayed with the White Sox until he became a free agent at the end of the 2010 season. He played for a year with the Boston Red Sox before resigning.