Bobby Jenks

Robert Scott Jenks (born March 14, 1981) is an American former professional baseball pitcher.

Jenks did play his sophomore year of high school for Lakeland High School before Timberlake High School was opened in 1998.

Since Jenks was ineligible to play the remaining years of his high school career due to poor academic performance, he played in the Prairie Cardinals American Legion program where he dominated as both a pitcher and hitter.

During his final season for the Prairie Cardinals, Jenks had 123 strikeouts in 92 innings pitched.

Wells' achievement bookended a perfect game that he pitched on May 17, 1998.

Barr's achievement was spread across two games, neither of which was a no-hitter.

In contrast, Jenks was perfect for 14 appearances over 27 days (July 17- August 12).

Jenks was drafted by the Anaheim Angels in the fifth round (140th overall) of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft.

In one minor league game, the radar gun clocked his fastball at 100 mph. During his time with the Angels organization, Jenks spent much of his time on the disabled list because of elbow trouble.

Jenks' career with the Angels ended when he was designated for assignment by the team in December 2004.

On December 17, 2004, Jenks was claimed off of waivers by the Chicago White Sox for $20,000.

He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox from 2005 through 2011.

According to the Baseball Almanac, his fastest pitch was clocked at 102 mph on August 27, 2005, at Safeco Field.

He also threw a slider; a changeup; and a hard, sharp-breaking curveball.

Jenks is third all time in saves by a White Sox pitcher.

Jenks is a two-time All-Star who formerly held the major league record for retiring consecutive batters (41).

Jenks was not able to play with his teammates at Timberlake High School, in Spirit Lake, Idaho or Inglemoor High School in Kenmore, Washington, because of poor grades.

He was sent to the club's Double-A affiliate, the Birmingham Barons to begin the 2005 season, posting a 1–2 with 19 saves and a 2.85 ERA in 35 appearances.

Jenks was called up to the major leagues by the White Sox on July 5, 2005.

The White Sox made it to the 2005 World Series, and Jenks pitched in each of the Series' four games.

The White Sox won the series in four straight games over the Houston Astros, and Jenks pitched a total of five innings and made the series' final pitch.

In 2006, Jenks was selected to the American League All-Star team, and finished the season 3–4 with a 4.00 ERA while converting 41 out of 45 save opportunities in 67 relief appearances.

Jenks was again selected to the American League All-Star team in.

On September 25, 2007, Jenks was named as one of 10 finalist for the "DHL Presents the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Year Award".

In 2007, Jenks pursued a record streak of retiring consecutive batters.

On August 10, 2007, Jenks retired his 38th consecutive hitter, Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners, to tie the American League record for most consecutive batters retired in a row, set by David Wells between May 12, 1998, and May 23, 1998, then with the New York Yankees.

On August 12, 2007, in a game against the Seattle Mariners, Jenks retired his 41st consecutive batter, the Mariners' Yuniesky Betancourt, tying the Major League record held by San Francisco Giants pitcher Jim Barr, set over two games on August 23, 1972, and August 29, 1972.

On August 20, 2007, Jenks allowed a base hit by Kansas City Royals outfielder Joey Gathright, ending his streak of 41 consecutive batters retired.

However, Jenks was still able to get a save during the game.

Jenks' record is unique in that the previous record holders were starting pitchers.

His teammate Mark Buehrle broke the record for most consecutive batters retired on July 28, 2009, ending with 45 in a row.

On January 19, 2009, Jenks avoided arbitration and signed a one-year, $5.6 million contract.

On December 2, 2010, the White Sox declined to tender him a contract and he became a free agent.

After the 2010 season, Jenks signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Boston Red Sox on December 21, 2010.

He recorded saves in Games 1 and 4, had a blown save in Game 2, and pitched scoreless 11th and 12th innings in the 14-inning Game 3.

Jenks and Adam Wainwright of the St. Louis Cardinals are the only rookie closers to earn a save in the clinching game of a World Series.

Jenks struggled for much of 2011 with injuries, going on the disabled list three times during the season.

On September 13, 2011, the Red Sox announced that Jenks had been diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism.

He pitched in 19 games during the season, going 2–2 with an ERA of 6.32.

On December 12, 2011, Jenks had another surgery, this time to remove bone spurs from his back.