Kenley Jansen Faces the Biggest Battle of His Career — and This Time, It’s for His Dad
By [Joyce]
Kenley Jansen has stood on countless mounds, sweat dripping down his face, the ball heavy in his hand, knowing the next pitch could define the game. But as the Red Sox closer prepared for another season in Boston, a different kind of weight settled on his shoulders — the weight of a fight that no pitch, no save, no cutter could control.
Earlier this spring, Jansen’s father, Ismael, was diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer. It was a diagnosis that sent a quiet shock through the Jansen family, one they have chosen to meet with the same resolve that has defined Kenley’s career.
“I want my dad to see me pitch in the playoffs one more time,” Jansen wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post that went viral, shared and reshared by fans, teammates, and baseball accounts across the country.
For Kenley, the postseason has always been the stage where he feels most alive, most connected to the game that has given him everything. But this year, the stakes are deeply personal. Every save is a promise to his father that he will fight, that they will fight together.
Facetime Before Every Game
Since the diagnosis, Jansen has made a quiet routine. Before every game, in the clubhouse or bullpen, he Facetimes his father, no matter how busy the day or how loud the stadium.
“It’s the last thing I do before I step out,” Jansen shared. “It centers me, reminds me why I do this.”
Sometimes they talk about baseball. Sometimes they talk about the weather back home in Curaçao. Sometimes, there are no words, just a nod, a look, a small moment of connection before Kenley walks out to do what he does best.
A Team That Shows Up
The Red Sox have felt the impact of Jansen’s journey. Quietly, without any press release or public campaign, a small group of teammates, including Rafael Devers and Trevor Story, launched a fundraising initiative named “Kenley’s Dad” to support lung cancer research in honor of Ismael Jansen.
“It was just something we felt we had to do,” Devers said. “Kenley is always there for us, always has our backs. This was our way of saying, ‘We’ve got yours, too.’”
As news of the fund slowly leaked to fans on social media, it took on a life of its own. On Threads, the hashtag #StrikeOutCancerForDad began trending among Red Sox fans, with supporters sharing photos of themselves in Jansen jerseys, messages of encouragement, and stories of their own family battles with cancer.
“It’s been overwhelming, honestly,” Jansen admitted. “But in a good way. It reminds you that you’re not alone.”
A Battle Beyond Baseball
For Jansen, who has faced heart issues throughout his career and returned each time with unyielding determination, the challenge of his father’s diagnosis feels different.
“When you’re on the mound, it’s you against the hitter, and you can control what happens with the next pitch,” Jansen said. “With this, you feel helpless sometimes. You want to take the pain away, you want to take the fight for them.”
But, as he has throughout his life, Jansen has chosen to respond with action.
He’s partnered with lung cancer organizations in Boston, donating a portion of his game checks to research efforts, and has quietly visited families in local hospitals, bringing encouragement to those walking the same road his family now faces.
A Father’s Pride
Ismael Jansen, a quiet, strong figure in Kenley’s life, has watched every game his son has pitched, regardless of timezone or circumstance. Even now, in the early stages of treatment, he refuses to miss a single outing.
“He still calls me after every game,” Kenley shared with a smile. “Sometimes he tells me I need to throw more strikes.”
The two share a bond rooted in baseball but strengthened by the understanding that family is the real foundation of everything. When Kenley converted his 400th career save, one of the first calls he received was from his father, who told him, “I’m proud of you, but I’m prouder of the man you are.”
The Season Ahead
As the Red Sox navigate the grind of a long season, Jansen has become a quiet source of inspiration within the clubhouse. Younger players see his focus, his resilience, and the way he carries himself even while facing personal turmoil.
Manager Alex Cora noted, “Kenley’s a professional, but above that, he’s a good human. He’s teaching all of us that there’s life beyond baseball, and how we handle it matters.”
The Boston bullpen has begun a small ritual before games, tapping their hearts twice, then pointing to the sky, a nod to Kenley and his father.
“It’s our way of telling him we’re with him,” said reliever Chris Martin.
Why This Matters
Baseball is often romanticized as a game of fathers and sons, of moments shared in the bleachers and the backyard. For Kenley Jansen, this season is a reminder of what those moments truly mean.
Every cutter he throws, every save he earns, every time he steps onto the mound, it is with the knowledge that somewhere, his father is watching, fighting, and believing in him.
“I don’t know what tomorrow will bring,” Jansen said. “But I know today, I’m going to give everything I have. For my dad. For our family. For everyone fighting something bigger than themselves.”
And in a game built on moments, this season may become the most meaningful one of Kenley Jansen’s career.