southsider2k5 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldn...ENKS_S1.article Sox's Jenks speaks his mind Recommend Comments February 17, 2009 By JOE COWLEY Sun-Times News Group GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Calling it just a chip that sits permanently on the hefty shoulders of Bobby Jenks isn't exactly doing it justice. "I wouldn't call it a chip," the White Sox closer described a few years ago, "it's more of a middle finger." Guess what was being flipped back up on Sunday? After spending an offseason hearing his name mentioned in trade rumors, as well as questions about his continual dip in velocity, there was Jenks on the first day pitchers and catchers were expected to report for spring camp answering questions about his demons. Demons that he thought he put to sleep a long time ago. Excerpts from a pending book by minor-league pitcher Matt McCarthy entitled "Odd Man Out'' detail Jenks as disruptive in the clubhouse with comments to other teammates and coaches, as well as a player that came up with "a little secret" in which he would fake a back injury to get out of having to workout. Jenks has never been one to shy away from his rough past, including an incident that got him in trouble with the Angels for sneaking beer on a team bus, as well as a childhood in which he was mostly estranged from his parents. The latest shots fired in his direction, however, did not sit well with the right-hander. "Obviously, there are some things out there right now that are questionable about my character," Jenks said. "You know what? My friends and family that know me, they know the truth. They know none of it is true. "It's just some sorry attempt to get his 15 minutes. (McCarthy's) just trying to jump on the bandwagon of the whole book era right now, and it's just a sad attempt. I never even seen the guy in my life. I couldn't point him out in a room. I didn't know who he was then. I don't know who he is now." Jenks finally had a chance to read the Sports Illustrated article in which the excerpts appeared, but was given a heads up that it was coming from Angels scouts Tom Kotchman and his son, Casey, who plays with the Braves. "I got a chance to read most of it, even all the way through it, and without my name in there, you can tell this guy is making a lot of crap up," Jenks said."When I got the opportunity to come (to the Sox), it was a wake-up call. And the situation of how I was released, I've grown up a lot since I've had issues in the minor leagues. And I've become a better person, a better man, a better husband and father. That's why it was kind of surprising at this time in my life, when everything is good, that something like this would happen." At the same time, guess who just got another reason to stay motivated? Jenks signed a one-year, $5.6 million deal to avoid arbitration back in January, as well as hearing his name in trade rumors during the Winter Meetings. "If there were any real talks, they would have given me a call and let me know where they stood on the issue," Jenks said of the trade talk. "I never got that call." The only call he seems interested to get now is the one that comes in the ninth inning, when the Sox need three outs. "I've pitched with a chip on my shoulder my entire life," Jenks said. "This isn't going to change how I go out there and what I do. My friends inside the clubhouse who know me, stand behind me. That's the important thing." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 So long as he keeps doing what he's doing, and doesn't let this affect him, I could care less what Bobby did with the Angels back in his time there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 B&B were talking about this yesterday. Basically the guy said Jenks used to show up hungover and fake injuries to get out of conditioning drills. Nothing earth shattering, we knew he had problems which is why the Angels let him go. He has been fine as a member of the Sox, thats all i am concerned about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve9347 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 This dbag is just trying to make a buck. Bobby knows he's an All-Star level closer, and this dork can screw off. Bobby's changed a lot since then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Yep, old news. The Angels' loss is the Sox' gain, and this nobody is trying to leech off of other people's success. Bobby's been great as a Sox player on and off the field. That's all I care about, and I'm happy for Bobby because he seems happy and content with his life now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I didnt think the article painted him in a bad light at all. I think that was who Bobby was at the time. I thought the article was actually a GREAT read and loved it when i read it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Chappas Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 08:36 AM) B&B were talking about this yesterday. Basically the guy said Jenks used to show up hungover and fake injuries to get out of conditioning drills. Nothing earth shattering, we knew he had problems which is why the Angels let him go. He has been fine as a member of the Sox, thats all i am concerned about Makes me like Bobby even more now. How is this an SI story? Remember last year when Ozzie had the crack about Linebrink's migraine and how other guys call a hangover a migraine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Big Bad Bobby Jenks is a-ok in my book. He's really turned into a class act and I hope that right arm of his stays healthy for a long time and that he sets some save records with the White Sox!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mreye Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 This is unacceptable!! He faked injuries to get out of workouts and showed up hungover when he was a kid and an admitted screw up? That's it! Cut him now. We can't have this kind of filth on the White Sox. I don't care if he's straightened up his life and is currently an outstanding teammate, citizen, husband and father! He was a screw up before and he'll only do it again! Cut him before he has a chance to embarrass this organization! :rolleyes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWSOX45 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Good. I'm glad that article pissed him off. The last thing the AL Central wants is a pissed off Big bad Bobby Jenks. Can't wait to see him take the mound on opening day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scenario Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 (edited) Don't start off by assuming that the story has any credibility. McCarthy pitched a career grand total of 26 innings in the Pioneer (rookie) League after being drafted in 2002. He was a late round draft pick who played 1/2 season in the minors... period... in Provo, Utah... before leaving baseball. Meanwhile, in 2002, Jenks spent half a season in California (high A-ball) and the other half in Arkansas (AA)... two places McCarthy never even got close to. Jenks' rookie league year was 2000. And he didn't even play rookie ball in the same city McCarthy did. So... different years... PLUS different cities. In other words, not only have they NEVER played together... it's unlikely that they ever even MET. Edited February 18, 2009 by scenario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klaus kinski Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 This is will be recalled as the off-season of old news due likely to little "new" news to come out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 QUOTE (scenario @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 10:27 AM) Don't start off by assuming that the story has any credibility. McCarthy pitched a career grand total of 26 innings in the Pioneer (rookie) League after being drafted in 2002. He was a late round draft pick who played 1/2 season in the minors... period... in Provo, Utah... before leaving baseball. Meanwhile, in 2002, Jenks spent half a season in California (high A-ball) and the other half in Arkansas (AA)... two places McCarthy never even got close to. Jenks' rookie league year was 2000. And he didn't even play rookie ball in the same city McCarthy did. So... different years... PLUS different cities. In other words, not only have they NEVER played together... it's unlikely that they ever even MET. Wow. What a low life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Allen Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 (edited) QUOTE (scenario @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 11:27 AM) Don't start off by assuming that the story has any credibility. McCarthy pitched a career grand total of 26 innings in the Pioneer (rookie) League after being drafted in 2002. He was a late round draft pick who played 1/2 season in the minors... period... in Provo, Utah... before leaving baseball. Meanwhile, in 2002, Jenks spent half a season in California (high A-ball) and the other half in Arkansas (AA)... two places McCarthy never even got close to. Jenks' rookie league year was 2000. And he didn't even play rookie ball in the same city McCarthy did. So... different years... PLUS different cities. In other words, not only have they NEVER played together... it's unlikely that they ever even MET. This probably occurred in spring training, but it really is a non story. ARod 6 years ago, now Jenks 7 years ago when he admittedly was not what he was supposed to be. Mickey Mantle was admired for playing hungover. Edited February 18, 2009 by Dick Allen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 08:49 AM) This probably occurred in spring training, but it really is a non story. ARod 6 years ago, now Jenks 7 years ago when he admittedly was not what he was supposed to be. Mickey Mantle was admired for playing hungover. Jenks doesn't get the press for the turnaround in his life that Josh Hamilton had, but Bobby's may be even more impressive. He may not have ever dropped as low as Hamilton, but Bobby didn't start out in a very good place to begin with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scenario Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 (edited) QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 10:49 AM) This probably occurred in spring training, but it really is a non story. ARod 6 years ago, now Jenks 7 years ago when he admittedly was not what he was supposed to be. Mickey Mantle was admired for playing hungover. It's unlikely McCarthy ever participated in an Angels spring training. He played in college (at Yale) in 2002. Their season ends around April 25th. Then after getting drafted, he was assigned to a rookie league that began play in late June. Meanwhile, Jenks was in a full season league that year that started in early April. So, where would their paths have crossed? Jenks said he has never met the guy and has no idea who he is. So, it seems like McCarthy is simply embellishing things he may have heard and acting like he was there... which appears to be a lie designed to help sell his book... and nothing more. Edited February 18, 2009 by scenario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 QUOTE (scenario @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 09:07 AM) It's unlikely McCarthy ever participated in an Angels spring training. He played in college (at Yale) in 2002. Their season ends around April 25th. Then after getting drafted, he was assigned to a rookie league that began play in late June. Meanwhile, Jenks was in a full season league that year that started in early April. So, where would their paths have crossed? Jenks said he has never met the guy and has no idea who he is. So, it seems like McCarthy is simply embellishing things he may have heard and acting like he was there... which appears to be a lie designed to help sell his book... and nothing more. All of the minor leaguers will be out at spring training and than the guys that end up playing in short-season stick around and play in extended spring training (which is supposed to be just awful). extended spring is also where minor leaguers who are still rehabbing stay as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scenario Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 (edited) Just found this quote from a USA Today article... Q. What was the process that went into writing this book — because the season you're documenting was nearly seven years ago? A. My senior year in college, it looked like I was going to get drafted, so a lot of my friends and family said, "Document what this is like, it's going to be such an interesting experience for you." I think they were saying that because they realized it was going to be a short-lived experience for me. So I went out there keeping this journal. I kept a very detailed account of what was going on. And the season (at Provo) ended, I got cut and my career was over — and it wasn't until a couple of years passed and I realized what a special experience this had been for me. I watched to see what happened to the guys I played with — all kinds of things. And as the years passed, I started thinking about it, and it was actually when Bobby Jenks recorded the last out in 2005 World Series and he was the hero that I thought this is such an interesting situation. I wrote a manuscript and handed it to a friend of mine who writes for Sports Illustrated and he loved it, and things started rolling from there. Q. Are you worried about how people will respond to this? People have already started talking about it and some people say what you wrote isn't true. Bobby Jenks says he wouldn't be able to pick you out of a crowd. A. Guys like Bobby Jenks won't remember me. We spent in grand total less than a day together. Little blips of a half-an-hour here or an hour there. As I say in the book, for most of these Angels minor leaguers, I was just another name on a list of former teammates. For others, I'm sure they do remember me. I've stayed in touch with some of my former teammates. There's going to be a wide range of responses. ----------------------------------------- So... McCarthy went from college to Provo, all after the regular full minor league season began... and then got cut at the end of the season. And Jenks was playing a full season of baseball in California and Arkansas. I'm still trying to figure out where they crossed paths. Edited February 18, 2009 by scenario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Wow, this guy made a generalization of Bobby Jenks life after spending less than a day with him. Can you say character assassination? WTF, this guy is chewing some serious sour grapes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Allen Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 (edited) QUOTE (scenario @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 12:29 PM) Just found this quote from a USA Today article... Q. What was the process that went into writing this book — because the season you're documenting was nearly seven years ago? A. My senior year in college, it looked like I was going to get drafted, so a lot of my friends and family said, "Document what this is like, it's going to be such an interesting experience for you." I think they were saying that because they realized it was going to be a short-lived experience for me. So I went out there keeping this journal. I kept a very detailed account of what was going on. And the season (at Provo) ended, I got cut and my career was over — and it wasn't until a couple of years passed and I realized what a special experience this had been for me. I watched to see what happened to the guys I played with — all kinds of things. And as the years passed, I started thinking about it, and it was actually when Bobby Jenks recorded the last out in 2005 World Series and he was the hero that I thought this is such an interesting situation. I wrote a manuscript and handed it to a friend of mine who writes for Sports Illustrated and he loved it, and things started rolling from there. Q. Are you worried about how people will respond to this? People have already started talking about it and some people say what you wrote isn't true. Bobby Jenks says he wouldn't be able to pick you out of a crowd. A. Guys like Bobby Jenks won't remember me. We spent in grand total less than a day together. Little blips of a half-an-hour here or an hour there. As I say in the book, for most of these Angels minor leaguers, I was just another name on a list of former teammates. For others, I'm sure they do remember me. I've stayed in touch with some of my former teammates. There's going to be a wide range of responses. ----------------------------------------- So... I'm still trying to figure out where they crossed paths. Jenks had some elbow issues maybe it was in an extended spring training situation, some place they sent this other idiot before he reported to Provo. He admits it was brief if it was anything, and all he really has is Jenks was hungover and tried to get out of conditioning drills. He doesn't look like a guy who particularly cares about conditioning and he admits his release was a wake-up call, so who really cares? Bobby Jenks like to drink 7 years ago. I don't see what that has to do with now. I doubt this guy sells many books. He admits he thought about the book the second Bobby Jenks became relevant. Edited February 18, 2009 by Dick Allen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawkfan Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I bet bobby jenks still likes to throw down a case of beer anytime he feels like it, whats the damn problem? I could care less if he has become a better person, but if all he's doin is showin up hungover and drinkin beers on the bus, then that is innocent enough to make him a top candidate for captain of this team. Why do you need to be a good person to play baseball? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayitaintso Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 QUOTE (Hawkfan @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 12:11 PM) I bet bobby jenks still likes to throw down a case of beer anytime he feels like it, whats the damn problem? I could care less if he has become a better person, but if all he's doin is showin up hungover and drinkin beers on the bus, then that is innocent enough to make him a top candidate for captain of this team. Why do you need to be a good person to play baseball? He was an alcoholic with additional issues, which almost put him out of baseball. That's why it was a problem then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fathom Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I don't get the big deal about all of this...the Outside the Lines about Jenks back in 2004 (I believe) was 10 times worse than the stuff being reported in this book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyyle23 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 QUOTE (fathom @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 01:43 PM) I don't get the big deal about all of this...the Outside the Lines about Jenks back in 2004 (I believe) was 10 times worse than the stuff being reported in this book. I think its just one of those "out of left field" things that is just sort of annoying. Yet, the season hasnt started, so people need something controversial to talk about. Not really a big deal, and totally rehashed material Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 QUOTE (kyyle23 @ Feb 18, 2009 -> 11:36 AM) Wow, this guy made a generalization of Bobby Jenks life after spending less than a day with him. Can you say character assassination? WTF, this guy is chewing some serious sour grapes I didnt think he did at all. I really enjoyed the write up and I didnt think Bobby came off as bad as players like Turnbow did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.