It was a sad day for the sports world, especially for baseball fans, as the death of one of the younger legends of the game was announced this week, sending shockwaves through the Chicago White Sox fanbase.

According to the Daily Caller, World Series champion Bobby Jenks, the famous White Sox closer who helped the team march to victory during the 2005 World Series, has died. 

Reports indicated that the all-star died after a battle with cancer. The White Sox confirmed the horrible news.

"We have lost an iconic member of the White Sox family today,” Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a social media post.

What happened?

The Chicago White Sox released a statement on Jenks' passing via its official X account.

Former Chicago White Sox All-Star pitcher and 2005 World Series Champion Bobby Jenks passed away yesterday, July 4, in Sintra, Portugal, where he had been battling adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer. He was 44 years old. pic.twitter.com/KDb3I0KL66

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 5, 2025

"Former Chicago White Sox All-Star pitcher and 2005 World Series Champion Bobby Jenks passed away yesterday, July 4, in Sintra, Portugal, where he had been battling adenocarcinoma, a form of stomach cancer. He was 44 years old," the team wrote.

Just three days after the news of his passing, the team honored its former star by having the players wear his number patch while also holding a moment of silence before their last game.

Yahoo noted:

The White Sox posted a tribute video and held a moment of silence for Jenks prior to Monday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays, their first home game since Jenks died. Players donned a No. 45 patch on their jerseys to commemorate Jenks' playing number. They will wear the patch for the remainder of the season.

Given his large fan base and how popular he was in the game, tributes poured in across social media.

Social media reacts

Many of his fans and former colleages paid their respects across social media in the wake of the news.

"I didn’t pitch no World Series… but I know greatness when I see it. Thank you, Bobby. Rest in peace, legend," one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "RIP Bobby Jenks, White Sox Legend."

"I was there as a kid at that 2005 World Series game when Bobby Jenks recorded the last out to win them the Championship! RIP!," another person wrote.