Since he was right in the middle of the steroid era, one of the major side effects of many steroids is that they send your cholesterol levels through the roof (and I guess cholesterol is technically a steroid). Of course, it is absolutely possible that he had a congenital heart defect.
I heard this and was immediately sad. I never saw him in person but I recall vividly that season with 20 wins, and the subsequent decline and trade to Detroit. But I can say that he made a lasting impression here in Houston and he will be missed.
RIP Lima Time!! The worst effect on Lima's career was the move to Minute Maid Park. He was perfect for pitching in the astrodome because he threw strikes and was a fly ball pitcher. That won't work in the new park.
I had the exact same type of encounter with him. I did a double take when I saw him, but I didn't want to bother him. He stopped and said what's up like he'd known me for ten years. Really cool guy. RIP
When I worked at UPN20.....we did a commercial promo with Superior Waterbeds with Jose Lima. This was in 98..before he earned his big contract and his 21 wins. The guys was really fun to work with. He used to do this dance in the dugout and he taught it to me.....it actually lives on a tape somewhere. I also got his autographed baseball still....though the baseball is worth nothing...it now means a little more to me now. A great guy that is gone way to soon. RIP Lima Time!!!!!
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This picture describes him to the fullest a guy who love the game and wanted to entertain the fans. <a href="http://s62.photobucket.com/albums/h99/notafaker/sports/astros/?action=view¤t=Picture-1.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h99/notafaker/sports/astros/Picture-1.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
He was an original, while still being genuine and good with people. Maybe one of the best things you can say about a person RIP
Lima was awsome. He seemed like a guy that appriciated the fans and the opportunity that he was given..Personalities like his dont come around enough.... Rome should be interesting tommorw......
He kinda seemed like the Calvin Murphy version of the Astros. I remember seeing him at Rockets games on TV as well. RIP
Atleast the Astros have Jose Lima's number retired... I like baseball, but I was just a casual fan. I knew the sport and all. But Jose Lima really brought me into the game of baseball and made me a fan of the Astros. I really started listening to sports talk in 1997, and I would listen to Rome. And Lima would finally get on Rome, and it was awesome. I want to say it was the Walt Weiss game, and Jose wasn't pitching, but he was sure cheering for them. I remember him taking a bat and hammering the dugout and help us get into the game. The Astros had vanilla guys in Bagwell, and Biggio, but Lima gave it some life. Some entertainment to it. It balanced quite nicely.
Damn. Will never forget Lima Time! Too bad he's a flyball pitcher who can't pitch outside a big dome, or he might've retired an Astro.
This is really sad news. As a life long Astros fan, I have some great memories of Jose Lima. My favorite fan interaction with him was back in 1999. I went to law school in St. Louis and I used to go to games when the Astros were in town. One of the times, we had great seats right behind the Astros dugout. Of course I was all decked out in my Astros gear. Lima looked up from the dugout and we made eye contact, I screamed "Lima Time!" he smiled. He then invited me to the railing near the edge of the dugout. We had a great conversation and of course he hooked me up with a baseball. RIP
