Former Dodgers pitcher Jose Lima dies at 37 [Updated]

Former Dodgers pitcher Jose Lima has died, the team said Sunday. He was 37.

[Updated at 12:51 p.m.: Lima died Sunday at his Pasadena home, Dan Evans, his agent, told The Times on Sunday. Lt. Chris Russ of the Pasadena Police Department said Lima was transported Sunday morning to Huntington Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The circumstances are being investigated, which is routine in such cases. Evans said Lima had been out with his family Saturday night and had gone dancing, exhibiting no signs of ill health.]

Lima died Sunday of an apparent heart attack, according to Aguilas Cibaenas, his winter ball team in the Dominican Republic.

Lima had his best season in 1999, when he went 21-10 for the National League Central champion Houston Astros. Lima won 13 games with the Dodgers in 2004.

He also played for the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals and New York Mets.

We'll have more later at latimes.com/obituaries.

-- Associated Press

Photo: Jose Lima in 2004. Credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Ken]

Im kinda in shock!
37 is too young!!!!!
So sad.
I will never forget bringing "Lima Time" to Los Angeles

RIP
Jose.

[Mufon]

RIP Jose Lima. My memory of him was when he was the Dodgers, and it was "Lima Time." One day, prior to the game during BP, I saw a bit of a hubbub in a crowd along the left field fence. Jose was sitting on the short wall, with a family around him. He had his arms around a couple, while a group was gathered behind him, and a security guard was taking a picture of the family.

[legalchick]

very sad. he was one of a kind.

[M5workz]

Jose Lima was at the Dodger game on Friday night.

[nickriversLA]

REST IN PEACE! DODGERS FANS WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU!

[Gangstaslapped]

Lima time brought the dodgers it's first playoff win in many years back in '04. Thanks jose,we will never forget

[Donn]

God must have needed a quality pitcher. A quality person. What a delightful human being. RIP. You added so much to our enjoyment of baseball.

[MikeP]

Very sad. He seemed like a great fun guy to the end. Condolences to his family.

[robert]

wow how shocking,becuase he was at the Dodgers Game on friday night they showed him in the crowd he stood up and waved to everyone how sad that he's gone, my condolences to his family, i enjoyed watching him pitch when he was with the Dodgers it looked like he was having a good time doing what he did, "Lima Time"

[William]

The clock will never strike LIMA TIME again.

[Jeff K.]

I am, like all of you, in shock. I remember him being interviewed on Jim Rome's show, and he just had a love and exuberance for the game that always showed through. He was just excited to get to play baseball for a living. My best to his family.

[steve]

RIP Lima. loved your energy when you played for the dodgers.

[Carlos A Nunez]

"Lima Time" We Dodger fans will Forever remember Jose Lima. What a great competitor he was. Jose Lima brought out the best of himself as a professional pitcher, eventhough he did not have the best fastball, curveball or sinker. Jose Lima was a very talented individual. Jose Lima was also a very talented musician. Jose Lima, you brougth so much joy to us back in 2004. Ever since you helped us finally win a game in the postseason in 2004, you gave us such confidence and believe in becoming a champion again. And so thanks to you Jose Lima, we continue in pursuit of a World Series Title once again. Thank you Jose Lima and will you forever be remembered as a true Dodger hero that you are. Rest in Paradise Jose Lima. Thank you.

[Sue Kamm.]

What a shock. When he was with the Dodgers, he used to come out and sit on the dugout roof, signing autographs.

The day he sang the national anthem and God Bless America, he was called on to pitch.

Condolences to his family. A true gentleman, who will be missed.

[willie]

RIP Jose Lima -a good personal little piece on his magical playoff win in L.A. and the meaning to fans there: http://bit.ly/93uVc3