The Break/TWD Condolences/Sports Thread #1 For 5/23/10: Jose Lima Dies at 37

(Photo By DAVID J. PHILLIP, Associated Press
)

What a shocker this news was today. Jose Lima, the accomplished and charismatic right hander from the Dominican Republic, has died suddenly at the age of 37 this morning from a heart attack.

Shocking news that has rocked the baseball world, especially the Hispanic community and most definitely the Dominicans throughout the American and National League.

Here is one memorable story of just how much "life" was in this now departed individual:

When did Jose Lima become a must-watch attraction? As soon as you met him.

For me, it was 1994, when Lima was an effervescent (of course) 21-year-old who recently had pitched a no-hitter for Detroit's Class AAA farm team in Toledo, Ohio.

The story was supposed to be about this kid who came within one walk of a perfect game, then stayed on the field for 45 minutes signing autographs, finally showered and signed another couple hundred after leaving the clubhouse.

"These people cheer for me," he told me. "I could never say no."

Lima, it seemed, could never say nothing.

He was rewarded for it -- with far more attention than anyone with a 89-102 career record could expect, especially when nearly a quarter of the wins in his 13-year career came in one magical 21-10 season for Houston in 1999.

He truly was the greatest sub-100 winning pitcher in major league history. Or the most memorable at the very least.

The Whole Delivery sends its condolences to this man's family, friends, and everyone else touched by his presence. This is indeed a shocker that is rippling around the sports world today.

Updated: From the terrific Amy K.Nelson, here is a photo of Lima at Dodgers Stadium a few weeks back.