February 17, 2009
White Sox reliever Bobby Jenks dismisses allegations of bad behavior in tell-all book
Former minor-league teammate depicts Jenks as wild, arrogant
GLENDALE, Ariz. - Bobby Jenks' past has been resurrected, but he knows he has behaved in a manner acceptable to the White Sox, on and off the field, since joining the organization in 2005.
That's why Jenks scoffed about stories of his rocky stint as a Los Angeles Angels minor-league pitcher that have been recounted in a book by Matt McCarthy, a former Angels minor-leaguer who went on to attend Harvard Medical School.
"You know what?" Jenks said Sunday before the Sox's first workout at sparkling Camelback Ranch. "My friends and family who know me, they know the truth. They know none of it is true."
An excerpt from the book published in Sports Illustrated portrays Jenks as a wild, cocky reliever. The author quotes Jenks as telling him to fake a back injury to avoid lifting weights and running. McCarthy also says Jenks suggested his $175,000 signing bonus was a bargain because he threw 100 m.p.h., and he says Jenks showed up at the park hung over several times.
Jenks also accused former teammate Derrick Turnbow of using steroids, the book alleges.
"That's just for show," he was quoted as saying of the supplements in Turnbow's locker. "He's juicing."
McCarthy has pursued a medical career, but Jenks suggested his former minor-league teammate was seeking money and fame.
"He's just trying to jump on the bandwagon of the whole book era right now, and it's a sad attempt," Jenks said. "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 said he was alerted to the book's allegations by Angels scout Tom Kotchman, who managed McCarthy and Jenks in rookie ball at Provo, Utah, in 2002, and former teammate Casey Kotchman, who's now with Atlanta.
Jenks acknowledged that getting released by the Angels in 2004 was a "wake-up call" before the Sox claimed him on waivers.
"I've grown up a lot since I've had issues in the minor leagues," Jenks said. "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.
"Without my name in there, you can tell this guy is making a lot of stuff up."
Jenks, who has had at least 30 saves in each of the last three seasons, agreed to a one-year, $5.6 million contract last month, avoiding salary arbitration.
The lack of an alternative closer was one reason the Sox were content to stick with Jenks.
And manager Ozzie Guillen has had confidence in Jenks since enlisting him as his closer midway through the Sox's 2005 world-championship season.
"This kid came up with a kid's attitude, freelancing, and thought the big leagues was a party gift," Guillen said. "But when I see the way Bobby is with his family, his kids, I think to be a father helped him a lot.
"We didn't even talk about him in the [coaches'] morning meeting. If he's overweight, we don't worry about it. He'll be out there. He's a way better pitcher now."
mgonzales@tribune.com
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