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How did Jeff Innis die? Former Mets reliever, 59, was a 'humble guy who loved his fans'

Jeff Innis played collegiate summer baseball for the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) in 1981 and 1982

Former New York Mets reliever Jeff Innis has died aged 59, the team announced on Sunday, January 30. The right-handed sidearmer, who had been drafted by the Mets out of the University of Illinois in 1983, reportedly died from cancer. He had spent his entire seven-year major league career with the team from 1987-93.

Innis, whose death left his colleagues devastated, received a psychology degree from University of Illinois. He played collegiate summer baseball for the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) in 981 and 1982. Innis won the league title with the Kettleers in 1981, and was inducted into the CCBL Hall of Fame in 2008. NY Mets were in the news last year when Jared Porter, NY Mets general manager admitted he sent unsolicited penis photos to a female reporter. In 2020, Tom Seaver, a Mets legend and Hall of Fame pitcher, died at 75 due to Covid-19.

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“Shocked to hear he passed,” former teammate Dwight Gooden said on Sunday, January 30. “We were together at Fantasy Camp last October and he never let on he was sick. Just a fun guy to be around. He was a workhorse out of the pen.” Innis appeared in 288 games over that stretch and pitched to a 3.05 ERA. Innis had been receiving treatment at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. After his cancer began spreading rapidly, his wife, Kelly, organized a GoFundMe to fly him home to Georgia so he could spend his final days in hospice care surrounded by his loved ones. The GoFundMe raised more than $75,000.

Jay Horwitz, Mets vice president of alumni public relations, wrote, "In November he was at Mets Fantasy Camp and having fun with alumni like Ron Swoboda, Doc Gooden, Josh Thole and Ed Hearn. But then the disease ramped up again. "Jeff pitched for us from 1987–1993 and it seemed liked he came out of the. bullpen every day. His side-arm delivery made him unique. A. graduate of the University of Illinois, you talk to Jeff about any subject." he added. 

"He loved the fans and never shied away from any autographs. Jeff Innis was just a decent and humble guy who never made a big deal that he was a major league player. Jeff was proud of the fact that the Mets were the only team he. played for. in the big leagues," Horwitz wrote. "On behalf of this wife Kelly and his kids, Keenan and Shannon, I wanted to thank all of the many fans who. contributed to the gofundme which helped bring Jeff home to Georgia and which will help take care of hospital bills and funeral expenses. He was just 59, way to young to die."

Condolences poured in on Twitter after the news of Innis' death surfaced. "Jeff Innis, who has died from cancer at age 59, was a security blanket for a procession of Mets managers. His consistent relief work was a bright light in an otherwise dim era of Mets baseball. Always came across as one of the genuine good guys," one user wrote. "RIP to dear friend and client Jeff Innis. A wonderful person who will sorely be missed," another user wrote.

"Jeff Innis passed away after a long battle with cancer. I was lucky enough to spend time w/him @ #Mets Fantasy Camp as well interview him for @howiekarpin and my book You Never Forget Your First : A Collection of #NYM , Here's Jeff talking about facing Michael Jordan," wrote one user, sharing a video. "While one user said, "Jeff Innis, a really good Mets reliever, lost his battle with cancer, leaving his family behind…losing a football game is nothing. prayers to his family…," another commented, "Just saw the news that Jeff Innis passed away. One of my all-time favorite interviews when he was w/the Mets. Once said to me, "When I was a kid, I thought the greatest thrill of my life would be to meet major leaguers. Now I'm w/them every day. It's not all that thrilling."