José Lima
Encyclopedia
José Desiderio Rodriguez Lima (September 30, 1972 – May 23, 2010) was a Dominican
right-handed pitcher
who spent thirteen 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
.
A flamboyant free spirit, he was best known for coining all his pitching appearances as Lima Time. His overly 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. 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".
A popular fantasy baseball
strategy is named in his honor, the LIMA plan developed by Ron Shandler
.
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 he complied a record of 21-10 and was named to the National League All Star Team that season. However after the 1999 season, Lima struggled to recapture his success and surrendered a league-leading 48 home run
s, which was only two short of the single season record held by Bert Blyleven
, and lost 16 games.
On June 23, 2001 Lima was traded back to Detroit in exchange for Dave Mlicki
. He was released by Detroit during the 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 . 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 , 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 resigned 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
. 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 , Lima also played for Saraperos de Saltillo
in the Mexican League.
, 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.
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. During a May visit to Edmonton with the Long Beach Armada, Lima was heartily embraced by the Capital's 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.
that after his baseball career is over, he would possibly pursue a career as a singer; specifically in the genre of bachata. he also had 2 sons, one named Jose Lima Jr.
. He was rushed to Huntington Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
He had suffered from cardiac problems. His wife said he complained of excess gas the night before but she thought he was just having a nightmare.
On July 12, 2010, David Ortiz
paid tribute to his late friend by dedicating his All-Star Home Run Derby win to Lima.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
right-handed pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who spent thirteen seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB)
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
(1994–1996, 2001–2002), Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
(1997–2001), Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
(2003, 2005), Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
(2004) and New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
(2006). His best year in the majors was 1999
1999 Major League Baseball season
The previous record of most home runs hit in a season, set at 5,064 in 1998, was broken once again as the American League and National League combined to hit 5,528 home runs. Moreover, it was the first season in 61 years to feature a team that scored 1,000 runs in a season, as the Cleveland Indians...
, when he won 21 games for the Astros and pitched in his only All-Star Game
1999 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1999 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 70th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball...
.
A flamboyant free spirit, he was best known for coining all his pitching appearances as Lima Time. His overly animated displays of emotion on the mound made him a fan
Fan (person)
A Fan, sometimes also called aficionado or supporter, is a person with a liking and enthusiasm for something, such as a band or a sports team. Fans of a particular thing or person constitute its fanbase or fandom...
favorite, but also drew the ire of opposing teams.
He was known for his flamboyant celebrations after his victories in the face of opponents. Due to his indulging in musical pursuits beyond baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, he was once described by The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
sportswriter
Sports journalism
Sports journalism is a form of journalism that reports on sports topics and events.While the sports department within some newspapers has been mockingly called the toy department, because sports journalists do not concern themselves with the 'serious' topics covered by the news desk, sports...
Ben Shpigel as "the national anthem
The Star-Spangled Banner
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort McHenry", a poem written in 1814 by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships...
-crooning, towel
Towel
A towel is a piece of absorbent fabric or paper used for drying or wiping. It draws moisture through direct contact, often using a blotting or a rubbing motion. Common household textile towels are made from cotton, rayon, bamboo, nonwoven fibers or a few other materials.-Types of towels:* A bath...
-waving merengue singer who moonlights as a right-handed pitcher".
A popular fantasy baseball
Fantasy baseball
Fantasy baseball is a game where participants manage an imaginary roster of real Major League baseball players. The participants compete against one another using those players' real life statistics to score points...
strategy is named in his honor, the LIMA plan developed by Ron Shandler
Ron Shandler
Ron Shandler is the author of Baseball Forecaster, an annual publication focused on applying sabermetrics to fantasy baseball, and founder of , a website with the same focus....
.
MLB career
Lima made his Major League debut with the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
on April 20, 1994 at age 21 making a start against the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. After three years in Detroit, he was traded to the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
on December 10, 1996 in an eight-player trade. In he complied a record of 21-10 and was named to the National League All Star Team that season. However after the 1999 season, Lima struggled to recapture his success and surrendered a league-leading 48 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, which was only two short of the single season record held by Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven
Bert Blyleven is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from to , and was best known for his curveball. Blyleven was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011...
, and lost 16 games.
On June 23, 2001 Lima was traded back to Detroit in exchange for Dave Mlicki
Dave Mlicki
David John Mlicki is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. After attending Oklahoma State University he was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 17th round of the 1990 amateur draft...
. He was released by Detroit during the 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
Newark Bears
The Newark Bears are an American professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 1999 season, the Bears have played their home games at Bears &...
in the Independent Atlantic League
Atlantic League
Atlantic League may refer to one of the following professional sports leagues:* Atlantic League , a professional baseball league active from 1896 to 1900* Atlantic League , a professional baseball league active in 1914...
early in 2003, but returned to MLB in June 2003, when he was acquired by the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. 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
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in . With the Dodgers, Lima was 13-5 with a 4.07 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, 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
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. It was the Dodgers' first post-season victory since Game Five of the 1988 World Series
1988 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 15, 1988 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CaliforniaBecause of using ace Orel Hershiser in Game 7 of the NLCS, the Dodgers had to open with rookie Tim Belcher in Game 1. Meanwhile, Oakland sent a well-rested Dave Stewart to the mound. Both pitchers, however, would have...
.
In , 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 resigned 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
Norfolk Tides
The Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets.-Franchise history:The...
. 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
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
on May 20, 2006. On July 4, 2006, he was again called up again to the Mets, when Heath Bell
Heath Bell
Heath Justin Bell is an American professional baseball pitcher, who is currently a free agent. After taking over the San Diego Padres closer role from Trevor Hoffman in 2009, Bell was named a three-time All-Star and has been awarded with the Rolaids Relief Man Award twice and has also won the DHL...
was optioned back to the Norfolk Tides
Norfolk Tides
The Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets.-Franchise history:The...
. Lima had another poor outing on July 7, 2006 against the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
which included surrendering up a grand slam to opposing pitcher Dontrelle Willis
Dontrelle Willis
Dontrelle Wayne Willis , nicknamed "The D-Train", is an American professional baseball pitcher. Willis is notable for his success during his first few years in the league and for his unconventional pitching style, which includes a high leg kick and exaggerated twisting away from the batter...
and was removed from the game. After the game Lima was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
back to the Norfolk Tides
Norfolk Tides
The Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets.-Franchise history:The...
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
Águilas Cibaeñas
The Águilas Cibaeñas are a team in the Dominican Republic's winter baseball league. Founded in and based in Santiago, they have won 5 Caribbean Series and 20 national titles. The Águilas have a large fan base in the Dominican Republic...
. In , Lima also played for Saraperos de Saltillo
Saraperos de Saltillo
The Saraperos de Saltillo are a AAA-level baseball team playing in the Mexican League. They have won 3 championships in 1980, 2009, and 2010. Their homefield is the Estadio De Béisbol Francisco I. Madero in Saltillo, Coahuila. Juan Jose Pacho is the team manager....
in the Mexican League.
Korea Professional Baseball
For the 2008 season, Lima signed with the Kia TigersKia Tigers
Kia Tigers Professional Baseball Club is a Korean professional baseball team founded in 1982. The Tigers are a member team of the Korean Baseball Organization and the most successful team in Korean baseball having won the national championship, the Korean Series, ten times, with a perfect 10-0...
, 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
Korea Baseball Futures League
Futures League is the 2nd highest level below that of Korea Professional Baseball in South Korea. It has a role as a farm league, whose the purpose is to develop players available to play in Korea Professional Baseball league on demand. Futures League consists of two small leagues that are...
, 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 ArmadaLong Beach Armada
The Long Beach Armada was an independent professional baseball team based in Long Beach, California, in the United States. The Armada was a member of the North Division of the now-defunct Golden Baseball League, which was not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball...
of the independent Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Golden Baseball League
The Golden Baseball League, based in San Ramon, California, was an independent baseball league. It later merged with the Northern League and the United Baseball League to form the North American League in the western United States, western Canada and Mexico....
on March 27, 2009. He was to play under veteran minor league manager and former major league all-star Garry Templeton
Garry Templeton
Garry Lewis Templeton, nicknamed "Jumpsteady", is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and New York Mets from 1976 to 1991...
. Lima was traded by the Armada to the Edmonton Capitals
Edmonton Capitals
The Edmonton Capitals are a professional baseball team based in Edmonton, Alberta. Known originally as the Edmonton Cracker-Cats, they began play in the Northern League in 2005 before switching to the Golden Baseball League in 2008. The team was sold to Daryl Katz in 2009, after which the team was...
for former Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
first-round draft pick
2001 Major League Baseball Draft
-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Selections:-Background:The Minnesota Twins selected St. Paul, MN native Joe Mauer with the number one pick in the 2001 draft. The 18-year-old Mauer, a catcher from Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, became the seventh Minnesotan to be...
Kris Honel on July 31, 2009. During a May visit to Edmonton with the Long Beach Armada, Lima was heartily embraced by the Capital's 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.
Personal life
He also made statements in his native Dominican RepublicDominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
that after his baseball career is over, he would possibly pursue a career as a singer; specifically in the genre of bachata. he also had 2 sons, one named Jose Lima Jr.
Death
Lima died on the morning of May 23, 2010, at age 37 from a massive heart attackMyocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
. He was rushed to Huntington Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
He had suffered from cardiac problems. His wife said he complained of excess gas the night before but she thought he was just having a nightmare.
On July 12, 2010, David Ortiz
David Ortiz
David Américo Ortiz Arias , known as David Ortiz, nicknamed "Big Papi", is a Dominican American professional baseball player who is currently a free agent. Previously, Ortiz played with the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox...
paid tribute to his late friend by dedicating his All-Star Home Run Derby win to Lima.