#102) HAL RENIFF

Hal Reniff joined the New York Mets when his contract was purchased from the New York Yankees on June 29, 1967. The right-handed reliever was used in middle relief during the 1967 season and established the longest scoreless relief inning streak to begin a Mets career with 21. Reniff's ERA in 43 total innings with the Mets that season was 3.35. So his ERA in the final 22 innings was 6.55. Hal was released by the club on October 3, 1967.

After retiring from baseball he would face personal problems that led to the end of his marriage. In the divorce settlement his estranged wife, Ann Marie Reniff gained possession of the 1961 World Series ring he had won while pitching for the Yankees during his rookie season. She first listed it for sale on Ebay asking $200,000, but it was later purchased at the November 17, 2001 MastroNet auction for $18,975. "I could care less what she does with it," Hal was quoted saying, "You are talking about stuff that happened 40 years ago. What do I care?"

Hal Reniff passed away after a fight with cancer in his hometown of Ontario, California on September 7, 2004. He was 66 years old. Reniff was remembered on March 28, 2006 by Chaffey High School with a permanent display case honoring his athletic career that began there when he played both baseball and basketball.

I created Hal Reniff's card in the set from an autographed index card that I purchased from Bob Dowen on November 16, 2009.