Mike Piazza writes heartfelt note to ‘great competitor’ Jeff Innis after ex-Met’s passing
Mike Piazza did not play alongside Jeff Innis, but both are members of the Mets family.
On Monday, tributes continued pouring out for Innis — a former reliever who died of cancer on Sunday — including from one of the Mets greats.
“Everyone here at the @Mets is very sad at the passing of Jeff Innis, a great competitor, more importantly a good person,” Piazza tweeted of the 59-year-old. “Heart felt condolences to his family. God Bless.”
Innis, a 1983 Mets MLB Draft pick, only pitched for the Amazin’s in his major league career. The righty sidearmer appeared in 288 games from 1987-93, posting a 3.05 ERA.
“He loved the fans and never shied away from any autographs,” Mets historian Jay Horwitz wrote. “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.”
Innis had battled cancer since 2017, and a GoFundMe helped send him from a Houston hospital back to his home in Georgia to spend his final days in hospice with his family. The money also will help take care of hospital and funeral expenses.