Skip to content
Sportscasting | Pure Sports
Home / MLB / ESPN Catches Heat For Controversial MLB Tribute Post On Social Media

ESPN Catches Heat For Controversial MLB Tribute Post On Social Media

Anthony Cardenas Written by Sports EditorAnthony Cardenas
Updated –
We publish independently audited content meeting strict editorial standards. Ads on our site are served by Google AdSense and are not controlled or influenced by our editorial team.

Former MLB pitcher Bobby Jenks passed away last week after a battle with stomach cancer, and one major media outlet is being criticized for their reporting of the news.

MLB Fans Criticize ESPN For Lack Of Empathy

Jenks played a majority of his career as a member of the Chicago White Sox. He qualified for two All-Star Game appearances during his six seasons with the team, and posted a 3.40 ERA as a reliever with the team from the South Side.

But his biggest achievement, and certainly his biggest moment with Chicago, came during his rookie season in 2005. The White Sox, who hadn’t won a World Series since 1917 and were up 3-0 on the Houston Astros, were leading 1-0 in the bottom of the 9th inning in Game 4.

Jenks came to the mound and immediately gave up a double to Jason Lane. But he would retire the next three batters in order, securing the White Sox first championship in nearly 90 years, and was the pitcher who was mobbed on the mound by his teammates in celebration.

While he wasn’t a generational player or franchise centerpiece, Jenks would hold a special place in the heart of Sox fans for eternity.

So when ESPN gave a questionable update on the former MLB player’s death, fans of the team and of baseball as a whole took exception.

Instead of highlighting the accomplishments that Jenks enjoyed in his career, the Twitter/X post simply stated that he was “on the roster” for the 2005 World Series team.

The post was immediately criticized. Fans on social media called out ESPN for a lack of empathy, wondering how the “worldwide leader in sports” could omit such an important piece of a player’s legacy from a post that was meant to express respect.

Bobby Jenks played a total of seven seasons in the MLB. He played the final year of his career with the Boston Red Sox, and retired after the 2011 campaign. He finished with 173 saves, and had a career ERA of 3.53.

Anthony Cardenas Written by Sports EditorAnthony Cardenas
All posts by Anthony Cardenas
Other News