Remembering former Hens pitcher Jose Lima

Former Toledo Mud Hen and 13-year major league veteran Jose Lima died Sunday of an apparent heart attack at his home in Los Angeles. Lima, known for his up-beat attitude and phrase "Lima Time," had three stints with the Mud Hens and pitched a no-hitter for the club on August 17, 1994 at Ned Skeldon Stadium against Pawtucket. It is the last time a no-hitter was pitched by a Hen. In his career with Toledo, Lima compiled a 17-16 record and 4.22 ERA in 46 games, 45 of which were starts.

Long time Hens' radio broadcaster, Jim Weber had this to say about Lima, "I opened the pre-game with a tribute to my good friend on Sunday after accepting the shock of such a tragedy. We had become good friends when he was with Toledo and we talked a few times when he was with Houston and then saw each other again in 2006 when he came here in his quest to get back to the big leagues (with the Mets). We spent hours together across the street from Fifth Third Field that night and I still have his business card with his personal cell # on the back that he gave me after inviting me to his house for a gathering in Houston after the season. On the road, we hung out together all the time and many times if we were not out already, he would call my room late at night to go play pool or grab a bite to eat. Of course, he pitched one of the greatest games in Mud Hen history in 1994 when he missed a perfect game by an inch, walking Eric Wedge in the 8th inning when he played for Pawtucket. I know you have heard me mention several times, but Wedge maintains that the umpire should not have let him walk on a pitch that close and spoil a perfect game. He should have faced only 27 batters instead of 28 on that night. He did not leave the field that evening until he signed autographs for almost 45 minutes. I now regret that I did not go to Houston that year to see the man that was so "full of life" and so devoted to baseball and everybody around him. I am having a very hard time grasping the fact that he has been taken from us at the age of 37."

Hens' Assistant General Manager, Scott Jeffer added, "Jose was the most charismatic Mud Hens players that I ever met. One of a few photos that I have with players is one in the Skeldon visitor's bullpen with Jose wearing a cowboy hat as he was the only player that showed up after a game to participate in our Country Line Dancing Night, hamming it up with all the ladies. I remember his lucky rock that he kept in his pocket when he pitched. He used to get a running start and jumped over the foul lines on the way to the dugout after innings."

Hens' Assistant General Manager, Neil Neukam said "I remember him just coming in the office on a regular basis and putting his feet up on the desk asking how things were while the rest of the team was out practicing. He just had a care-free spirit that was contagious when you were around him."

Appreciation: Jose Lima never looked back at who was talking about him - USA Today - Paul White