New York Mets prospect Cole Mathis is mourning the loss of his mother, the minor league baseball player announced via Instagram. She was 53.
“Two days ago I had to say goodbye to one of the people I loved most,” Mathis, 23, wrote in the caption alongside a carousel of photos of him with his mom posted on Saturday, October 10. “Words can’t describe what she did for our family. She loved us more than any mother could. She taught us so many things about life that we will never forget.”
He continued, “My momma wasn’t only a mom to Chloe and me or a loving wife to my dad, she was also the world’s best dog mom. Giving them more treats than they ever needed just for the fun of it. She also knew what to say to cheer you up. And she could never have a bad day. Always cheerful and joyful. She is no longer in pain and gets to dance with Jesus. I love you momma and we will never forget the lessons you’ve taught us❤️I hope we can continue to make you proud.”
Cole’s father, Sammie Mathis, who is a former minor league baseball player himself, confirmed via Facebook that his wife, Jennifer, died of cancer.
“Her cancer battle has finally been defeated!” he wrote on Thursday, October 8. “She left this world peaceably in her sleep in hospice care! A cancer battle that was fought for the last 4 years as bravely as she could. No excuses, no complaining. Everyday was Full of JOY!! She is now free of the pain & the suffering and in the arms of our LORD Jesus today, Oct 8, 2026.”
Sammie added, “In December we would’ve reached 32 years in marriage, I was exceptionally blessed to have been chosen by God to journey alongside her!”
Cole was a second-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs out of the College of Charleston. He came to the Mets in June as part of the Cubs’ trade for pitcher David Peterson.
“I had to learn team chemistry quick, on the fly,” he told MLB.com earlier this month. “It was fun with those Cubs teams, but once I got to the Mets, it was a lot more fun. Especially once I got to Brooklyn. A lot of new faces in the clubhouse, it made it a little easier, everybody being new. It wasn’t just me.”
Cole was drafted as a two-way player, meaning in college he pitched and played first base, but has only been a position player so far as a pro after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Jennifer’s death comes while Cole is participating in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit his first home run of the season on Sunday, October 11.
