Baseball stunned by death of Jose Lima at 37

LOS ANGELES -- Jose Lima lived over the top on and off the baseball field. The free-spirited former Tigers 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 right-hander who spent 13 years in the major leagues with five teams -- including two stints with the Tigers -- died Sunday. He was 37.
Authorities said paramedics found Lima in full cardiac arrest at his home in Pasadena early Sunday, and he was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Pasadena police said the specific cause of death was unknown, and the Los Angeles County coroner will perform an autopsy.
Lima pitched for Detroit in 1994-96 and 2001-02.
"He was like a father to me when I came to the Tigers," said Detroit infielder Ramon Santiago, whose first season with the Tigers was Lima's last. "He bought me five suits. He gave me advice. He was one of the greatest teammates I ever had. ...
"I just saw him on the video board the other night (at Dodger Stadium, Friday night). They were giving him an ovation."
Lima was still pitching this past off-season in the Dominican winter league. He faced Tigers catcher Alex Avila.
"I don't know if he still threw 90 (m.p.h.), but he still had a hell of a change-up, that's for sure," Avila said. "He got me out on grounders both times I faced him.
"I got the impression he just loved playing baseball. Before we faced him, he'd talk to everybody. I was out there warming up, and he ran over to me to say 'hi.' He was still enjoying it like he was a kid out there."
Avila said Lima was a crowd favorite. "Every time he ran on the field, there were cheers. The people loved him."
Lima posted his best season with the Houston Astros in 1999, when he was selected to the All-Star Game. He went 21-10 with a 3.58 ERA in 35 starts.
"It saddened me greatly to hear of Jose's passing," Astros owner Drayton McLane said. "He was truly a gifted person both on the field and off of it. He could dance, he could sing, but his best gift of all was that he was an extremely happy person. He just lit up our clubhouse with his personality, which was his greatest asset. Jose was not shortchanged in life in any way. He lived life to the fullest every day."
Lima spent the majority of his career in Houston, compiling a 46-42 record in 1997-2001. In five seasons with the Tigers, Lima went 17-32 with a 6.04 ERA.
"He was an animated guy and a fierce competitor and he got people excited," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said. "It's just so sad when you lose one of your peers."
Lima revived his career several times, bouncing between the independent league and the minors. The Dominican pitcher was 89-102 with a 5.26 ERA in 348 games in the majors, with his last appearance in 2006 with the New York Mets.