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| Photo: malingering |
Jose Lima, the 20-game winner and All-Star pitcher who played for five major league teams in his 13-year career, died of apparent heart attack today.
Lima pitched for the Astros, Tigers, Royals, Dodgers and Mets, compiling an 89-102 record. Most baseball fans will remember him for his colorful personality. He often danced and made all sorts of demonstrative faces as he retired hitters. He loved the game and he loved to compete.
The 37-year-old pitched for the Kansas City Royals in 2003 and 2005.
The Omaha Royals remembered Lima with a moment of silence before their 2-1 victory over Salt Lake this afternoon at Rosenblatt Stadium. After the game, Omaha general manager/vice president Martie Cordaro paid tribute to Lima.
“The baseball world lost one of the true, electrifying players over the last 10 to 15 years,” Cordaro said. “Every fifth day, I know the Astros fans looked forward to ‘Lima Time.’
Lima won 21 games for the Astros in 1999.
“Jose played with a lot of great players down in Houston and he spent two years in our organization – both in Kansas City. I never had a chance to meet Jose Lima. He didn’t play here as an Omaha Royal, but he was definitely one of those players who will be missed in our game.”
The Royals plucked Lima from an independent league in 2003 and inserted him into their starting rotation. His first game was a non-decision, but after that he won his next seven starts in what turned out to be one of the most exciting seasons in Kansas City in a long time – making himself part of Royals folklore.
