Even though Bobby Jenks was pushing 300 pounds last season, his fastball was still pushing 100 mph.  Now imagine the velocity of a slimmer, trimmer Jenks’ heater. I know, it’s mind-boggling.

Chicago White Sox brass publicly gave their closer some crap about his weight and conditioning last fall, which may not have been the softest approach, but it was apparently enough to get his butt in gear. During SoxFest last Friday, reporters clamored about his obvious weight loss, and Jenks replied with a something a little more than skin deep.

“When everything is in front of you, you see what you have, what this game can provide for us, and you want to do everything you can to make your kids’ lives much better, and that’s what I’ve been trying to do,” he said. “I no longer drink. No alcohol at all. Not even a beer here or there. Just things like that, really focusing on the future. It was a personal choice. It hadn’t gotten too much. I just found myself not wanting to [drink] anymore. I just wanted to be more of a family man. Then this last year, I came to Christ and that was a big influence on my life.”

Just a week ago, Jenks agreed to a one-year, $7.5 million deal with the Sox to avoid arbitration. Struggling with a kidney stone around mid season, the two-time All-Star posted a 3.71 ERA with — saves in — opportunities. At 28 years old, the right-hander has already had a busy career. The father of four detailed how aside from being a better baseball player, he wanted to be a better man.

“I wanted to live a better life,” Jenks explained. “I think every parent wants to do better [for their kids], regardless of what’s going on in your life. You want your children to succeed and you want to be a good influence on their lives, really show them good examples and the right paths to follow to encourage them the right ways.”

Now if only he could ditch that squirrel on his chin. Maybe quit feeding it nuts and berries?

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