RIP Jeff Innis, 1962-2022

[G-Fafif]

The stalwart of Mets middle relief from the early 1990s has died from cancer at age 59.

[G-Fafif]

From Jay Horwitz:

We lost one of the good guys today. Jeff Innis passed away after a long battle with cancer that speeded up so quickly since the fall. 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 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. 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 are of hospital bills and funeral expenses. He was just 59, way to young to die.

https://newyorkmets.medium.com/by-jay-horwitz-e04fd676d136https://newyorkmets.medium.com/by-jay-horwitz-e04fd676d136

[kcmets]

Sad stuff. RIP.

[smg58]

Shit.



He was a likeable and funny guy, and maybe not a great reliever but a solid and steady one for most of his time in Flushing.



This stinks.

[whippoorwill]

Even though we knew it was coming it doesn't make it any easier

[Edgy MD]

Better career ERA than Edwin Diaz.



Or Armando Benitez, or Jeurys Familia, or Jesse Orosco, or Tug McGraw, or Roger McDowell, or Neil Allen, or Skip Lockwood, or Randy Myers ... .



Never really had a bad season. Had a single meh season and the Mets let him walk.

[Edgy MD]

(Just look at the state of Jay's release. I don't mean to nitpick. Such warm thoughts, but submitted without proofreading, and positively howling with unforced errors, including the word "A," typed as if it's somehow a single sentence.)



(I actually do mean to nitpick, but I want Jay to pay me for it.)

[metsmarathon]

i always liked jeff innis. made me wish i could throw sidearmed.

[Edgy MD]

Tom Verducci https://www.si.com/mlb/2022/01/31/jeff-innis-obituaryremembers Jeff Innis.

Innis was known also for his uncanny imitations of people around the team, including Frank Cashen, the team's irascible general manager. One day near the dugout Cashen said to Innis, “Do you want to see my Jeff Innis imitation?” Innis didn't miss a beat. “I know the Innis imitation,” he said. “Just get on a plane and fly to Tidewater—about 10 times.”

[G-Fafif]

Lovely remembrance from Verducci.



My four cents — two for Jeff, two for Gene Clines:



http://www.faithandfearinflushing.com/2022/02/01/innis-clines-life/http://www.faithandfearinflushing.com/2022/02/01/innis-clines-life/

[Benjamin Grimm]

Someone who seems to be Jeff Innis' widow posted a memory of Jeff on the UMDB today.