His remarkably animated displays of emotion on the mound made him a fan favorite, but also drew the ire of opposing teams. He was known for his flamboyant celebrations after his victories in the face of opponents.[1] Due to his indulging in musical pursuits beyond baseball, he was once described by The New York Timessportswriter Ben Shpigel as "the national anthem-crooning, towel-waving merengue singer who moonlights as a right-handed pitcher".[2][3]
Lima made his Major League debut with the Detroit Tigers on April 20, 1994, at age 21 making a start against the Kansas City Royals. After three years in Detroit, he was traded to the Houston Astros on December 10, 1996, in an eight-player trade. In 1999 he compiled a record of 21–10 and was named to the National League All Star Team that season. However, in 2000, Lima struggled to recapture his success, losing 16 games and recording a league-worst 6.65 earned run average and 48 home runs, the latter of which was only two short of the single season record held by Bert Blyleven.
On June 23, 2001, Lima was traded back to Detroit in exchange for Dave Mlicki. He was released by Detroit during the 2002 season, proclaiming at the time, "If I can't pitch on this team—the worst or second-worst team in baseball—where am I going to pitch? If I can't start on this ballclub, I must be the worst pitcher on Earth."
He pitched for the Newark Bears in the Independent Atlantic League early in 2003, but returned to MLB in June 2003, when he was acquired by the Kansas City Royals. Lima started off fast in Kansas City, he was 7–0 with a 2.17 ERA after eight starts. But a groin injury during his ninth start caused his performance to decline significantly and he went 1–3 with a 10.65 ERA in his last six starts.
He joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2004. With the Dodgers, Lima was 13–5 with a 4.07 ERA, his best performance since the 1999 season. Possibly the best moment of his career came on October 9, 2004, in Game Three of the 2004 National League Division Series, when he pitched a 5-hit shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals. It was the Dodgers' first post-season victory since Game Five of the 1988 World Series. In 2005, he returned to Kansas City as a free agent but managed only to compile a record of 5–16, while posting a 6.99 ERA and was not re-signed by the club.
On February 14, 2006, Lima was inked to a minor league deal by the Mets and pitched for the Mets' AAA affiliate, the Norfolk Tides. He was called up to the Mets on May 7, 2006, and went 0–3 with an 8.79 ERA in three starts before being designated for assignment on May 20, 2006. On July 4, 2006, he was again called up again to the Mets, when Heath Bell was optioned back to the Norfolk Tides.[4] Lima had another poor outing on July 7, 2006, against the Florida Marlins which included surrendering up a grand slam to opposing pitcher Dontrelle Willis and was removed from the game. After the game Lima was designated for assignment back to the Norfolk Tides for the second time during the 2006 season. Lima finished the 2006 season with a 0–4 record with a 9.87 ERA in four total starts for the Mets. In the Dominican Winter Baseball League, he played for the Águilas Cibaeñas. In 2007, Lima also played for Saraperos de Saltillo in the Mexican League.
Korea Professional Baseball
For the 2008 season, Lima signed with the Kia Tigers, a nine-time champion in the Korea Professional Baseball. Despite high expectations as a former Major League Baseball pitcher, Lima struggled in several starts. After that, he was sent down to the Korea Baseball Futures League, and media reported that Lima would be released from the Tigers. However, after returning to the Tigers, Lima got two consecutive wins against the Woori Heroes by pitching seven innings while not allowing a single run, and the Hanwha Eagles, pitching five innings and allowing just three runs, but was still released by the Tigers.
Golden Baseball League
Lima signed with the Long Beach Armada of the independent Golden Baseball League (GBL) on March 27, 2009. He was to play under veteran minor league manager and former major league all-star Garry Templeton. Lima was traded by the Armada to the Edmonton Capitals for former Chicago White Soxfirst-round draft pick Kris Honel on July 31, 2009.[5] During a May visit to Edmonton with the Long Beach Armada, Lima was heartily embraced by the Capitals' fans and even had a local fan club develop at the ballpark—a first ever for a visiting player there. He pitched a total of four games for the Capitals, going 1–2 in the regular season and losing his only GBL playoff appearance.[6]
Personal life
Lima had at least six children with at least six different mothers. He was married twice.[7]
Death
Lima died on the morning of May 23, 2010, at age 37. He was rushed to Huntington Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.[1][2] An autopsy did not determine the cause of death, but stated that due to the condition of his heart, he likely died of a cardiac arrhythmia.[8] He had suffered from cardiac problems.[9][10] Lima was buried in Cementerio Las Charcas in Santiago.
^ abStephens, Bailey "Former big leaguer Lima dead at 37." www.mlb.com, May 23, 2010. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
^ ab"Lima dies from heart attack at 37," The Associated Press, Sunday, May 23, 2010.
^Sphigel, Ben. "BASEBALL; Lima's Shot With Mets No Laughing Matter," The New York Times, Friday, February 17, 2006.
^"Shaky Rotation Gives Lima Another Chance". The New York Times. 5 July 2006. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
^. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
^O'Leary, Chris & Sumamo, Yonathan. "One-time Edmonton Capitals pitcher José Lima dead at 37," Edmonton Journal, Sunday, May 23, 2010. May 26, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
^Giove, Candice M. (3 June 2012). "Former Mets pitcher Lima's legacy includes 6 kids with 6 moms". New York Post. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
^. Archived from the original on 2015-04-09. Retrieved 2015-04-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^. Archived from the original on 2010-05-26. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
^"Yahoo Sports Minute". Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
External links
Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
January 31, 2023
josé, lima, portuguese, footballer, josé, antónio, lima, josé, desiderio, rodriguez, lima, september, 1972, 2010, dominican, right, handed, pitcher, spent, seasons, major, league, baseball, with, detroit, tigers, 1994, 1996, 2001, 2002, houston, astros, 1997, . For the Portuguese footballer see Jose Antonio Lima Jose Desiderio Rodriguez Lima September 30 1972 May 23 2010 was a Dominican right handed pitcher who spent 13 seasons in Major League Baseball MLB with the Detroit Tigers 1994 1996 2001 2002 Houston Astros 1997 2001 Kansas City Royals 2003 2005 Los Angeles Dodgers 2004 and New York Mets 2006 His best year in the majors was 1999 when he won 21 games for the Astros and pitched in his only All Star Game Jose LimaLima in 2004PitcherBorn 1972 09 30 September 30 1972Santiago Dominican RepublicDied May 23 2010 2010 05 23 aged 37 Pasadena California U S Batted RightThrew RightMLB debutApril 20 1994 for the Detroit TigersLast MLB appearanceJuly 7 2006 for the New York MetsMLB statisticsWin loss record89 102Earned run average5 26Strikeouts980TeamsDetroit Tigers 1994 1996 Houston Astros 1997 2001 Detroit Tigers 2001 2002 Kansas City Royals 2003 Los Angeles Dodgers 2004 Kansas City Royals 2005 New York Mets 2006 Kia Tigers 2008 Career highlights and awardsAll Star 1999 His remarkably animated displays of emotion on the mound made him a fan favorite but also drew the ire of opposing teams He was known for his flamboyant celebrations after his victories in the face of opponents 1 Due to his indulging in musical pursuits beyond baseball he was once described by The New York Times sportswriter Ben Shpigel as the national anthem crooning towel waving merengue singer who moonlights as a right handed pitcher 2 3 Contents 1 MLB career 2 Korea Professional Baseball 3 Golden Baseball League 4 Personal life 4 1 Death 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksMLB career EditLima made his Major League debut with the Detroit Tigers on April 20 1994 at age 21 making a start against the Kansas City Royals After three years in Detroit he was traded to the Houston Astros on December 10 1996 in an eight player trade In 1999 he compiled a record of 21 10 and was named to the National League All Star Team that season However in 2000 Lima struggled to recapture his success losing 16 games and recording a league worst 6 65 earned run average and 48 home runs the latter of which was only two short of the single season record held by Bert Blyleven On June 23 2001 Lima was traded back to Detroit in exchange for Dave Mlicki He was released by Detroit during the 2002 season proclaiming at the time If I can t pitch on this team the worst or second worst team in baseball where am I going to pitch If I can t start on this ballclub I must be the worst pitcher on Earth He pitched for the Newark Bears in the Independent Atlantic League early in 2003 but returned to MLB in June 2003 when he was acquired by the Kansas City Royals Lima started off fast in Kansas City he was 7 0 with a 2 17 ERA after eight starts But a groin injury during his ninth start caused his performance to decline significantly and he went 1 3 with a 10 65 ERA in his last six starts He joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2004 With the Dodgers Lima was 13 5 with a 4 07 ERA his best performance since the 1999 season Possibly the best moment of his career came on October 9 2004 in Game Three of the 2004 National League Division Series when he pitched a 5 hit shutout against the St Louis Cardinals It was the Dodgers first post season victory since Game Five of the 1988 World Series In 2005 he returned to Kansas City as a free agent but managed only to compile a record of 5 16 while posting a 6 99 ERA and was not re signed by the club On February 14 2006 Lima was inked to a minor league deal by the Mets and pitched for the Mets AAA affiliate the Norfolk Tides He was called up to the Mets on May 7 2006 and went 0 3 with an 8 79 ERA in three starts before being designated for assignment on May 20 2006 On July 4 2006 he was again called up again to the Mets when Heath Bell was optioned back to the Norfolk Tides 4 Lima had another poor outing on July 7 2006 against the Florida Marlins which included surrendering up a grand slam to opposing pitcher Dontrelle Willis and was removed from the game After the game Lima was designated for assignment back to the Norfolk Tides for the second time during the 2006 season Lima finished the 2006 season with a 0 4 record with a 9 87 ERA in four total starts for the Mets In the Dominican Winter Baseball League he played for the Aguilas Cibaenas In 2007 Lima also played for Saraperos de Saltillo in the Mexican League Korea Professional Baseball EditFor the 2008 season Lima signed with the Kia Tigers a nine time champion in the Korea Professional Baseball Despite high expectations as a former Major League Baseball pitcher Lima struggled in several starts After that he was sent down to the Korea Baseball Futures League and media reported that Lima would be released from the Tigers However after returning to the Tigers Lima got two consecutive wins against the Woori Heroes by pitching seven innings while not allowing a single run and the Hanwha Eagles pitching five innings and allowing just three runs but was still released by the Tigers Golden Baseball League EditLima signed with the Long Beach Armada of the independent Golden Baseball League GBL on March 27 2009 He was to play under veteran minor league manager and former major league all star Garry Templeton Lima was traded by the Armada to the Edmonton Capitals for former Chicago White Sox first round draft pick Kris Honel on July 31 2009 5 During a May visit to Edmonton with the Long Beach Armada Lima was heartily embraced by the Capitals fans and even had a local fan club develop at the ballpark a first ever for a visiting player there He pitched a total of four games for the Capitals going 1 2 in the regular season and losing his only GBL playoff appearance 6 Personal life EditLima had at least six children with at least six different mothers He was married twice 7 Death Edit Lima died on the morning of May 23 2010 at age 37 He was rushed to Huntington Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead 1 2 An autopsy did not determine the cause of death but stated that due to the condition of his heart he likely died of a cardiac arrhythmia 8 He had suffered from cardiac problems 9 10 Lima was buried in Cementerio Las Charcas in Santiago On July 12 2010 David Ortiz paid tribute to his late friend by dedicating his victory in the 2010 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby to Lima 11 See also Edit Baseball portal Dominican Republic portal Biography portalHouston Astros award winners and league leaders List of Houston Astros team records List of Major League Baseball players from the Dominican RepublicReferences Edit a b Stephens Bailey Former big leaguer Lima dead at 37 www mlb com May 23 2010 Retrieved December 5 2016 a b Lima dies from heart attack at 37 The Associated Press Sunday May 23 2010 Sphigel Ben BASEBALL Lima s Shot With Mets No Laughing Matter The New York Times Friday February 17 2006 Shaky Rotation Gives Lima Another Chance The New York Times 5 July 2006 Retrieved 23 January 2017 Nothing found for LongBeach ArDisplay Aspx ID 5135 amp SecID 247 Archived from the original on March 31 2022 Retrieved 23 January 2017 O Leary Chris amp Sumamo Yonathan One time Edmonton Capitals pitcher Jose Lima dead at 37 Edmonton Journal Sunday May 23 2010 Archived May 26 2010 at the Wayback Machine Giove Candice M 3 June 2012 Former Mets pitcher Lima s legacy includes 6 kids with 6 moms New York Post Retrieved 12 February 2021 http www autopsyfiles org reports Celebs lima 20jose report pdf bare URL PDF Archived copy Archived from the original on 2015 04 09 Retrieved 2015 04 04 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint archived copy as title link Jose Lima Former All Star Pitcher Passes Away at 37 Archived from the original on 2010 05 26 Retrieved 2010 06 02 Yahoo Sports Minute Archived from the original on 15 July 2012 Retrieved 23 January 2017 External links EditCareer statistics and player information from MLB or ESPN or Baseball Reference or Fangraphs or Baseball Reference Minors Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jose Lima amp oldid 1133498695, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
