Bobby Jenks

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Robert Scott Jenks

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 3", Weight 270 lb.

Debut July 6, 2005
Born March 14, 1981 in Mission Hills, CA USA

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Minors.BR page

1 Biography
2 Notable Achievements
3 Sources

[edit] Biography

Famous for his checkered past, mammoth size, and blazing fastball, Bobby Jenks is currently the closer for the Chicago White Sox. A former top prospect in the Anaheim Angels system, pitcher Jenks missed most of the 2004 season due to an elbow injury. After the season, the Chicago White Sox claimed him off waivers. He was recalled from the AA Birmingham Barons in July 2005, and in September he filled in for the injured Dustin Hermanson as the team's closer. Jenks became the first rookie to close out a World Series after he recorded the final out of the 2005 Fall Classic. The 27 year old's weight has become somewhat of a calling card; Ozzie Guillen signals for Jenks in the bullpen by holding out his arms to simulate the pitcher's size, and McDonalds named Jenks the Chicago area spokesman for the McGriddle breakfast sandwich.

[edit] Amateur Career

Jenks grew up in rural Spirit Lake, ID, and had already dropped out of school when he was discovered by Mark Potoshnik, director of the Northwest Baseball Academy. Potoshnik took in the young fireballer and enrolled him in a local high school. Jenks was academically ineligible for all but one of his high school years. Despite strong numbers in amateur leagues, he was still little more than a wild and unpolished arm. Scouts caught notice of the young pitcher's wide 6'3 frame and electric fastball, but questions lingered about his ability to cope with professional baseball after growing up in a secluded Idaho cabin.

[edit] Angels: 2000-2004

The Angels selected Jenks in the fifth round of the 2000 amateur draft. Any concerns about his statistics were largely overshadowed by the numbers flashing on the radar gun. In 14 games with the Butte Copper Kings, Jenks piled up seven losses, 44 walks, and 19 wild pitches. He walked 64 more batters and posted a 5.27 ERA in 2001 while pitching for the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Thanks to a fastball that routinely eclipsed 100 miles per hour, Jenks was given a look with the double-A Arkansas Travelers; he picked up a win and 10 strikeouts in two starts. Familiar control problems continued to plague the young pitcher in 2002. Jenks walked 90 batters in just over 123 innings between single-A Rancho Cocamonga and double-A Arkansas. His record from the two stops was just 6-11, giving him a career record of 11-25.

"Big Bobby" faced more serious problems during the 2003 campaign. After winning seven games with a 2.17 ERA and 103 strikeouts in 16 starts for the Travelers, Jenks was sidelined by an elbow injury that needed surgery. The second problem was an article published by ESPN the Magazine that examined the 22 year old's erratic behavior and rural background. The article described Jenks as an immature alcoholic--perhaps even a racist--with little regard for his health and career. One story involved Jenks drinking on the team bus, then lighting his own skin on fire. Jenks denied accusations that he used derogatory terms when referring to his former agent.

[edit] White Sox: 2005-Present

The Angels waived Jenks after he pitched fewer than 20 innings in 2004. Kenny Williams and the White Sox gambled that Jenks would return to form as a reliever. Given the opportunity to close for the double-A Birmingham Barons, Jenks saved 19 games with a 2.85 ERA. He was called up to the major leagues in July, and debuted against the Devil Rays on July 6th. White Sox fans were immediately captured by the burly reliever's fastballs and lethal hooks. He earned his first major league save against the Twins on August 25th. As Dustin Hermanson battled back problems, Jenks assumed a larger role in Chicago's chase for the pennant.

In the American League Division Series against the Boston Red Sox, Jenks saved two games and allowed only one hit over three innings. In game one of the World Series, he struck out three and notched another save. After blowing a save--but ultimately picking up the win--in the second game of the series, Jenk bounced back in game four. He picked up his fourth save of the postseason, securing the White Sox first championship since 1917.

Jenks continued to pitch well in 2006. He converted 25 of his first 26 save opportunities and made the All-Star team. The closer's numbers trailed off a bit in the second half when the league began to catch on to his tendencies, but Jenks still ended the season with 41 saves. He began the 2007 campaign by saving 21 games in his first 23 appearances and made a second consecutive All-Star team. On August 12th, 2007, Jenks tied the Major League record for consecutive batters retired with 41 (set by Jim Barr in 1972) but the Sox lost the game to the Seattle Mariners 6-0. Teammate Mark Buehrle broke the Jenks/Barr record in 2009. He ended the season with 40 saves and a 2.77 ERA. Jenks credited his success with learning to 'pitch', opposed to just throwing heat.