A social media post by ESPN has drawn criticism after it described the late Bobby Jenks as being “on the roster” of the White Sox’s 2005 world championship team in a post about his death earlier this week.
The problem with that was Jenks was more than just “on the roster,” in fact he was the closer when the White Sox won the World Series in 2005 and appeared in six postseason games during that run, earning saves in Game 3 of the ALDS and Games 1 and 4 of the Fall Classic against the Astros.
But the post on X about Jenks’ death at the age of 44 from ESPN failed to capture the importance he played in the team’s success that year.
“Bobby Jenks, a two-time All-Star pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, who was on the roster when the franchise won the 2005 World Series, died on Friday in Sintra, Portugal, the team announced,” the post read.
Former major leaguer players quickly took to social media to criticize the Worldwide Leader.
“ESPN should be ashamed and embarrassed for writing something like this! ‘Was on the roster’? He was THE CLOSER on a championship winning team. Do some research before you release something. Have some respect! RIP Bobby Jenks condolences to his family and teammates,” former Twins and Red Sox star Doug Mientkiewicz wrote on X.
“He did a whole lot more than just be on the roster! He closed out the World Series!! #RIPBobbyJenks #2005forever,” wrote former White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski wrote on X.
Pierzynski was on the Chicago team that swept the Astros in the World Series.
Jenks died at the age of 44 after a battle with adenocarcinoma, which is a form of stomach cancer, in Sintra, Portugal, where he had been living to be closer to his wife’s family.
The former White Sox pitcher spent six of his seven years in the majors in Chicago before playing one season with Boston.
Jenks recorded 173 saves in his career and was an All-Star twice, in 2006 and 2007.
