Will Cook County News

By Claude Martinez.

Portugal – On July 4, 2025, Bobby Jenks, manager of the Windy City ThunderBolts and beloved former MLB pitcher, passed away at the age of 44 after a courageous battle with cancer.

To many in Chicago, Bobby was more than just a ballplayer, he was a hero. A key figure in securing the White Sox’s 2005 World Series championship, his dominant presence on the mound became a symbol of resilience and pride for the city.

Jenks pitched for the White Sox from 2005 to 2010 and wrapped up his Major League career with the Boston Red Sox in 2011. He was selected as an All-Star in both 2006 and 2007.

After stepping away from the game as a player, Bobby returned to the field as a coach. In 2021, he became the pitching coach for the Grand Junction Rockies (Grand Junction, CO) in the Pioneer League. Just one year later, he was promoted to manager, leading the team to a league championship and earning the 2022 Manager of the Year award.

In 2023, he took on a new role as pitching coach for the Princeton WhistlePigs (Princeton, WV) in the Appalachian League. By the end of the season, his leadership qualities once again stood out, and on October 26, 2023, he was named manager of the Windy City ThunderBolts (Crestwood, IL) in the Frontier League.

During his first season with the ThunderBolts, the team finished with a 40–56 record. In the offseason, Jenks received devastating news: a diagnosis of stage 4 adenocarcinoma, an aggressive form of stomach cancer. Eventually the cancer would spread to his bones, lower back, and hips. As if that weren’t enough, he also lost his home in the March 2025 Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, CA.

Still, Bobby’s spirit never wavered. Despite the challenges, he remained committed to the ThunderBolts, helping build the 2025 roster and personally selecting his former MLB teammate, Toby Hall, to serve as interim manager during his medical leave.

At 44, Bobby Jenks passed away in his home in Portugal.

He is survived by his wife, Eleni Tzitzivacos, and six children.

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