Former Mets pitcher Jose Lima dies at 37
In this photo taken on Friday, May 21, 2010, Jose Lima smiles before the Dodgers baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Friday, May 21, 2010 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. He died two days later. Credit: AP / Los Angeles Dodgers
LOS ANGELES - Jose Lima lived over the top on and off the baseball field. The free-spirited pitcher could deliver a song as well as a fastball, leaving a trail of fun and laughter known as "Lima Time" wherever he went.
The All-Star righthander, who spent 13 seasons in the major leagues, died Sunday, according to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was 37.
Lima, who pitched the Dodgers to their first playoff win in 16 years in 2004, died of an apparent heart attack in Los Angeles, according to the Aguilas Cibaenas, a team in the Dominican Republic that Lima had played for.
Lima spent the majority of his career with the Houston Astros, compiling a 46-42 record from 1997-2001. He was an AllStar in 1999, going 21-10 with a 3.58 ERA in 35 starts for the NL Central champions.
"He just lit up our clubhouse with his personality, which was his greatest asset," Astros owner Drayton McLane said. "He lived life to the fullest every day."
The Dominican pitcher was 89-102 with a 5.26 ERA in 348 games in the majors, last appearing with the Mets in 2006, when he went 0-4 with a 9.87 ERA.
"He was a man full of life, without apparent physical problems and with many plans and projects on the agenda," his wife, Dorca Astacio, told ESPNdeportes.com.
"Horrible news. It's so sad," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said.
The Dodgers said Lima was preparing to open a youth baseball academy this summer in Los Angeles.
Lima went 13-5 with a 4.07 ERA in 2004. In the National League Division Series, Lima pitched a five-hit shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in front of a sellout crowd at Dodger Stadium. It was the Dodgers' first postseason win since Game 5 of the 1988 World Series.
Lima also pitched for Detroit and Kansas City.
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