quinta-feira, 16 de dezembro de 2010

Bobby Jenks

Red Sox, Bobby Jenks Reportedly on Verge of 2-Year Deal

The Red Sox reportedly are on the verge of a two-year deal with former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks, yet another indication of Jonathan Papelbon's fall from favor in the Boston bullpen.
Pending a physical, Jenks will agree to a deal worth $12 million over the next two seasons, according to ESPN.com and SI.com. The right-hander was non-tendered by Chicago after making $7.5 million last season.
Jenks has seen his save total fall each of the last five seasons from a high of 41 in 2006, his first year as the full-time closer from the White Sox. At the same time, his ERA has risen every year since 2007. He finished 2010 with 27 saves and a 4.44 ERA in 55 appearances.
Despite the drop-off in his performance, the 29-year-old gives Boston another seasoned option for the back of Terry Francona's bullpen at a relatively reasonable commitment -- especially considering the spate of three-year deals being handed out this winter to relievers without closing experience.
The signing could open the door for the Red Sox to trade Papelbon, who made $9.35 million last season and is arbitration-eligible again this winter. The 30-year-old also has been his team's closer since 2006 and struggled -- relatively speaking -- last year. He went 5-7 with a 3.90 ERA in 65 appearances, blowing a career-high eight saves in 45 opportunities.
Considering he'll make well over $10 million in 2011 and become a free agent following the season, the Red Sox probably won't be able to reap much of a haul for Papelbon unless they're willing to kick in a good chunk of his salary.

Robert Scott "Bobby" Jenks (born in Mission Hills, California) is an American professional baseball relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox.
Before injury setbacks, Jenks had one of the biggest arms in Major League Baseball, with a fastball that has hit 98 to 100 mph. According to the Baseball Almanac, his fastest pitch was clocked at 102 mph on August 27, 2005, at Safeco Field. He also has a slider, changeup, and a hard, sharp-breaking curveball. Jenks is currently third all-time in saves by a pitcher in a White Sox uniform.


Amateur career
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 his grades were too low. 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.


Professional career
Anaheim Angels
Jenks was drafted by the Anaheim Angels in the fifth round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft. In one minor league game, the radar gun clocked his fastball at 103 mph. During his time with the Angels organization, Jenks spent much of his time on the disabled list because of elbow trouble. In May 2002, according to published reports, he was suspended for repeatedly bringing beer on the Double-A Arkansas Travelers team's bus, and was demoted to Single-A. Jenks' career with the Angels ended when he was designated for assignment by the team in December 2004.

Chicago White Sox
Jenks was claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox for $20,000, and was sent to the club's Double-A affiliate, the Birmingham Barons. Jenks was called up to the major leagues by the White Sox on July 5, 2005.
Jenks appeared in each game of the 2005 World Series, pitching a total of five innings, and making the series' final pitch. 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 2006 St. Louis Cardinals are the only rookie closers to earn a save in the clinching game of a World Series.
Jenks continued his success in 2006. He was selected to the American League All-Star team, and for the season converted 41 out of 45 save opportunities. Jenks was again selected to the American League All-Star team in 2007. 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,[4] 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. 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). 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.
In May 2009, Major League Baseball investigated Jenks for throwing a pitch behind Texas’ Ian Kinsler, and later admitting it was done intentionally.He was ultimately fined an undisclosed amount, reportedly $750.
On December 2, 2010, the White Sox declined to tender him a contract and he became a free agent.

Appearance
Jenks is known affectionately as 'Bobby Hill', 'Big Bobby' or 'Big Bad Bobby Jenks' due to his 6'3", 275 lb frame. In all of baseball, only CC Sabathia, Dmitri Young, Franklyn German, and Jonathan Broxton are listed at heavier weights.
During the 2005 World Series, in a much-replayed clip, Sox manager Ozzie Guillén signaled for Jenks to come in from the bullpen to pitch. Instead of the usual baseball tradition of the manager touching one arm or the other to signal whether to bring in a right-handed or left-handed relief pitcher, Guillen opened his arms wide both vertically and horizontally, miming to send in the "tall and wide" guy.
Jenks is known to sport his signature "bleach-blonde" goatee during games.

    

Nenhum comentário: