World Series closer Bobby Jenks, a two-time All-Star who recorded the final out of the White Sox’ four-game title sweep of the Astros in the 2005, is being treated for stomach cancer.
“We stand with you, Bobby Jenks,” the team wrote in an Instagram post.
Jenks, 43, is hospitalized in Portugal, to be near his wife’s family.
“I’ll tell you one thing: I’m not going to die here in Portugal,” Jenks told MLB.com.
“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 hopes to return for a second season as manager of the Windy City Thunderbolts, a minor league team in Crestwood.
Jenks’ first season as the Sox closer was during his rookie year of 2005, when he assumed the role in the final three months. He was an All-Star in 2006 and 2007, recording 81 saves. He notched 173 saves for the Sox over six seasons before finishing his career with the Red Sox.
Jenks has spoken openly about a less than healthy lifestyle that was transformed into a cleaner life in recent years.
“You know, the [stuff] I was doing in my 20s and early 30s, no normal person would have survived,” Jenks said. “So, in one way, I’m grateful to be alive. In another way, I’m not surprised this [cancer] happened. It goes to show you have to take care of yourself from top to bottom with nutrition and exercise and having a good daily plan.”