Former Red Sox reliever Jim Corsi dies at 60 after revealing terminal cancer diagnosis

Tue, Jan 4, 2022
MLB News (AP)

Jim Corsi, the former right-handed MLB relief pitcher and Massachusetts native who pitched parts of three seasons for the Boston Red Sox, died surrounded by friends and family on Tuesday morning after a bout with terminal cancer, according to Micihael Silverman of the Boston Globe. He was 60 years old.

Corsi recently shared with AP Boston that he'd been diagnosed with stage IV colon and liver cancer. In his interview, which was recorded in November, Corsi said he was "at peace." Here's more:

"I'm at peace. I know if I die, I'm going to a better place. That's the No. 1 thing. I feel sorry for everybody I'll leave behind."

According to Chad Finn, also of the Boston Globe, Corsi's health had worsened since that interview which was recorded in November. Corsi, however, was able to walk his daughter down the aisle in October.

Corsi also encouraged others to be diligent about getting routine health exams.

"I made a mistake when I was younger. Not getting a colonoscopy. Should have done it," he said. "If you're out there, don't wait. Don't be stupid. I was a professional athlete. I thought I was invincible, you know what I mean, strong. And you're not. Cancer is not prejudiced to anybody."

Corsi, who celebrated his 60th birthday in September, spent 10 seasons in the majors and was originally drafted by the New York Yankees in 1982 after playing collegiately at Florida's Saint Leo University. In 368 big-league appearances, he compiled a 3.25 ERA (133 ERA+) and a 1.52 strikeout-to-walk ratio. In addition to his time with the Red Sox, he also pitched for the Oakland Athletics, the Houston Astros, the Miami Marlins, and the Baltimore Orioles.

Corsi is survived by his former wife Diane and his four children, Julianne, Mitch, Jenna, and Joey.