Frustrated Tiger sent to bullpen for rookie's debut September 3, 2002 BY GENE GUIDI FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER A frustrated Jose Lima ripped the Tigers before Monday's 11-1 loss to the Cleveland Indians, saying, "This place stinks -- from the front office right on down." Lima was upset after being told rookie left-hander Andy Van Hekken was being promoted from Triple-A Toledo and would start tonight in place of Lima. "If I can't pitch on this team -- the worst or second-worst team in baseball -- where am I going to pitch?" he said. "If I can't start on this ballclub, I must be the worst pitcher on earth." Lima, 4-6 with a 7.77 ERA, has been in and out of the rotation this season. In his most recent start, he gave up 11 runs and nine hits in 2 2/3 innings in a loss to Oakland a week ago Saturday. "What are they going to do -- release me?" Lima said. "Let them, I don't care. I don't figure in the plans for the rest of the year. I'll just go home. I haven't seen my son in three months. "They're just going to stick me in the bullpen -- again. I can sit down there like an idiot and wait for the phone to ring when the score is 10-1, because they won't use me in a close game. "It's the same old crap and it's not going to change. They can clean house, bring in 25 new guys, and it won't change because it starts right up there at the top." Ummm Lima, dude, your ERA is almost 8. What are they supposed to do, give you a raise? Well, I can't seem to get the link to work.
All Andy Van Hekken did was toss an 8 hit, complete game shutout. Lima will be home with his son year round after this season is over.
I don't understand how a player like that can not understand. His ERA is high, W/L percentage is low. While what he is saying may be true, I baffled that he doesn't see himself as part of the problem.
Dude is JUST now realizing this? We knew about this over two friggin' years ago! Damn, next thing he's going to tell us is that he's endorsing sub par Mexican food at Casa Ole! THE HORRAH! Gawd, this guy b****es more than Vlade Divac during a playoff game. Lima, dude...you had two above average seasons in the greatest pitcher friendly park in the history of baseball. Your 15 minutes are UP! Don't worry, when your baseball career is over in a couple of years, you might be able to get a job at ESPN Deportes or something...
Dear Jose, Just a friendly reminder that this is the last year of that big contract the Astros signed you to and the Tigers agreed to take on. Good luck playing in some other country next year. Hugs and Kisses, MadMax
Bring back Lima time to Houston. Every time an Astro hits a homerun he can be the one driving the train, and not the other guy. LIMA TIME BABY!
you cant give all the credit to the astrodome. i mean its not like thats the only place he won his 20 games. he pitched well in away games too. he had some talent, but who knows where it went. will he ever get it back? i hope so, he's a good guy overall.
http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...PriceSort&query=jose+lima&ht=1&combine=y&st=2 Sixteen Lima items on ebay and not a single one has any bids.
