Jose Lima had recently rejoined the Dodger organization
Jose Lima had made the transition that many athletes are never able to make. After 13 years in the big leagues and numerous stints in the minor leagues, Dominican leagues and leagues here and beyond, he had retired. While other athletes can’t accept life away from the playing field, Lima was embracing it.
While other athletes sit around wondering what they’re going to do after they hang them up, Lima was already doing it. Lima had other things going on. He was taking on retirement the same way he took on baseball- with zest and enthusiasm and well…just plain fun.
Then suddenly, tragically, the light that Lima shined everywhere he went burned out. The former Dodger pitcher died of a heart attack at the age of 37. On the surface Lima appeared to be a guy that would never die. He simply wouldn’t allow it. Lima had too much life to experience death. Dying is no fun and Lima loved to have fun.
Dodger fans didn’t embrace Jose Lima because of the 200 games he won in his career because he never did. They embraced him because he won one game.
He beat St. Louis 4-0 in game three of the 2004 National League Division series allowing the powerful Cards to just five hits. It wasn’t just another post season win. It was the first Dodger post season victory in 16 years.
It didn’t come from a Kevin Brown or a Pedro Martinez. It came from Jose Lima- a guy that was 13 games below .500 in his career. Lima wasn’t projected as an ace but merely an after thought when he came to the Dodgers in 2004. He only lasted one season but yet he won the biggest game for the Dodgers in nearly 20 years.
Lima was at Dodger Stadium as recently as Friday night. He was introduced and received a rousing ovation from the crowd. Dodger fans were still remembering Lima the pitcher, Lima the man, Lima the fun.
Lima looked forward to retirement because he wasn’t really retiring. Dodger owner Frank McCourt said that Lima had recently rejoined the Dodger organization as a member of the alumni association. He had plans to open a baseball youth academy this summer in Los Angeles. He went to speak at Little League games and showed up at high school games.
Lima didn’t act like a rock star. But heck, he was a rock star. Well, maybe not a rock star but he did have his own band. He started performing in nightclubs in the Dominican Republic when he was 11. By the time he was 13 he was performing in competitions. Eventually he was the front man for a 13 piece band. He sang the national anthem in 2004 at Dodger Stadium.
Our own Mid Valley staffer Jim Saxon, who also works at Dodger Stadium, met Lima several times including last Tuesday night.
“I’m in shock,” Saxon said. “He always came by the stand to say hi. Tuesday night he game me a hug and said hey pappy! That’s what he used to call friends, pappy. He was a great guy- always upbeat and positive.”
On the mound Lima never stopped having fun. At various times he would pump his fist, swivel his hips and talk into his glove. He even had a name for his glove calling it “my midget”.
When he pitched for the New York Mets later in his career he struggled on the mound but showed up with bleach blonde dyed hair and always had a joy about him and a big smile on his face.
He once told a reporter that baseball was a short career and he was going to enjoy every single day. Lima’s life turned out way too short as well. And he lived it the same way he played baseball-enjoying every single day.
The question always comes to mind when somebody so young and vibrant passes on. Why? There’s really no right answer. All we can do is be thankful for the time Jose Lima was on this earth- thankful for Lima time.
That’s my principle.
E mail Tim at tspeterson32@yahoo.com.
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