Jose Lima was a Dominican-American baseball player who had a career spanning over a decade. He began his professional career in 1989, signing with the Detroit Tigers as an amateur free agent. He made his Major League Baseball debut in 1994, pitching for the Tigers.
Lima played for several teams throughout his career, including the Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, and Detroit Tigers. He was known for his high energy and flamboyant personality on the field, often celebrating strikeouts and victories with elaborate dances and gestures.
One of Lima's most successful seasons was in 1999, when he played for the Houston Astros. He had a record of 21-10 and an ERA of 3.58, earning him a spot in the All-Star Game and finishing fourth in the National League Cy Young Award voting.
Lima's career had its ups and downs, with periods of success followed by struggles. He was released by the Astros in 2001 and spent time playing in the minor leagues before being signed by the Kansas City Royals in 2003. He had a strong season with the Royals, with a record of 8-3 and an ERA of 4.91.
In 2004, Lima signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers and had another successful season, with a record of 13-5 and an ERA of 4.07. He helped lead the Dodgers to the playoffs, where they lost in the first round to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Lima's career began to decline after his time with the Dodgers. He played for the New York Mets in 2006 but struggled with injuries and poor performance. He was released by the Mets in July of that year and did not play in the major leagues again.
Overall, Lima had a career record of 89-102 and an ERA of 5.26. He was known for his passion for the game and his ability to bounce back from setbacks. After his playing career, he worked as a broadcaster and pitching coach. Lima passed away in 2010 at the age of 37 from a heart attack.
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