On Thursday former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks was named the Windy City ThunderBolts next manager, according to a release from the team. The ThunderBolts are one of 16 teams that make up the Frontier League, an independent league in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States and Eastern Canada.
The former all-star is the 20th Field Manager in ThunderBolts franchise history. Jenks has a track record of success as a manager. In 2022 he guided the Grand Junction Rockies to a 62-33 record and a Pioneer League championship. Jenks was named the manager of the year for his efforts. Before that, he served as a pitching instructor for the White Sox organization.
Jenks spent the 2023 season in the Appalachian League, a collegiate woodbat league, as the Pitching Coach for the Princeton Whistle Pigs. The Whistle Pigs owned the second-highest ERA (6.35) in the Appalachian league while Jenks was the Pitching Coach.
Jenks will forever be a legend on the South Side after recording the final out of the 2005 World Series. During the White Sox postseason run he appeared in every game of the World Series and recorded two saves as a rookie.
The big right-hander also set an MLB record by retiring 41 consecutive batters in 2007. During his six seasons in Chicago, Jenks posted a 3.53 ERA with 173 saves and 351 strikeouts.
Fans will get a chance to see Jenks debut as manager on May 9 for the Bolt’s home opener against the Evansville Otters
