On Sportscenter, today they documented the rise and fall of Jose Lima. Three years ago, Lima had 21 wins for the Houston Astros. This year, he has I think 3 wins for the Detroit Tigers. He was taken out of the starting rotation and put in the bullpen.
I can't think of another ballplayer who had a bigger fall from grace than Lima.
Hey, whatever happened to Limatime, the poster who got banned from the EzBoard?
I used to hate Lima when he was with the Houston Enrons (CARDINALS REPRESENT!), but after the trade to Detroit I started to root for him after seeing him at the ballpark. Before a Cards/Tigers game last year, he sat down the left field line and signed autographs/posed for pictures for about twenty-five minutes, right up until the National Anthem. He tossed tons and tons of balls up into the crowd during batting practice, as well, and had to stop and give a high-five to Little Leaguers parading around the stadium before the game.
It's really a shame how his career has collapsed, because he's one of the classiest guys in the game.
No, it's not Steve Blass. Rick Ankiel is Steve Blass. Lima is just a guy who had two good years and then the league figured him out. Not really all that rare.
Three Faces of Dean: Teenage Riot, T.R., and now this guy
"Lima is just a guy who had two good years and then the league figured him out. Not really all that rare."
... I was thinking more along the lines of Jim Deshaies, myself. Deshaies reclaimed some of his effectiveness for a season before completely losing it all -- maybe Lima can reclaim some of his, too.
They must have a wonderful school system - they're teaching everyone how to hit his bloody curveball. It'd be fun to look at the number of guys out there who've been free agents, had a big year when their contract was about to expire, and then crash & burn the rest of the way. I wonder if Derek Bell would make that list; probably not, as Pitt paid him big money when they knew he was the least productive OF in the NL.
Originally posted by JubukiThey must have a wonderful school system - they're teaching everyone how to hit his bloody curveball. It'd be fun to look at the number of guys out there who've been free agents, had a big year when their contract was about to expire, and then crash & burn the rest of the way. I wonder if Derek Bell would make that list; probably not, as Pitt paid him big money when they knew he was the least productive OF in the NL.
Actually, Hampton's big year was 2 years before he became a free agent with Houston in 1999. He had a good year with the Mets in 2000, but his record was 7 games worse.
Thank you Mr. Wanz for the check, now you get an AWA World Title Reign. But be careful, my boy Greg is a heat machine.
No way! The lowest would be being released by the Tigers rookie-league team. THAT is low. Though Lima IS the worst Major League Pitcher on the planet right now.
Originally posted by Guru ZimSheesh, I bet we sign him.
Keep in mind the Padres rehabbed Fernando Valenzuela after his prime...
But at least they could argue that Fernando might sell tickets. That, and he was left handed. Actually, I'm surprised Fernando isn't playing in Tampa at this point.
Thank you Mr. Wanz for the check, now you get an AWA World Title Reign. But be careful, my boy Greg is a heat machine.
I don't think Fernando's running to anywhere at any point.
I love how Lima lives in his own little bizarro world, where the last three years never happened and he deserves to pitch regardless of how well he does. It makes him so much more interesting than if he were just bad.
9/3: Lima, 4-6 with a 7.77 ERA, has been in and out of the rotation this season. In his most recent start, he gave up 11 runs and nine hits in 2 2/3 innings in a loss to Oakland a week ago Saturday.
"What are they going to do -- release me?" Lima said. "Let them, I don't care. I don't figure in the plans for the rest of the year. I'll just go home. I haven't seen my son in three months.
"They're just going to stick me in the bullpen -- again. I can sit down there like an idiot and wait for the phone to ring when the score is 10-1, because they won't use me in a close game.
"It's the same old crap and it's not going to change. They can clean house, bring in 25 new guys, and it won't change because it starts right up there at the top."
9/8 (released): "I wasn't pitching," he said, "and I know who was responsible for that. I'll pitch in the Dominican winter league and what comes around, comes around. But I'm not going to say anything else."
Then, of course, he went on to say something else.
"It's not as if I'm going to be out of baseball," he said. "Major-league baseball needs pitchers. This team needs pitchers. They don't have anybody. It hurts, but now I get to go home and see my son and take him to school.
"There was too much negative stuff here. It's always something here every day. You never saw anything positive. It's been bad this year. It's been bad for nine years."
Three Faces of Dean: Teenage Riot, T.R., and now this guy
Someone will sign Lima, and Paniagua for that matter. I think the adage in baseball, in regards to success in the Majors, goes something like: if a guy does it once, that means he can do it. There will be a pitching coach of sorts, in one organization or another, that looks at some film of Lima and says "I can work with this guy, he has good stuff," then the team signs him. Look at guys who get chance after chance, and then finally it pays off for some.
"You know Monsoon, I am impressed, and I don't impress easy" -Jesse "The Body" Ventura
Originally posted by JubukiLima, I don't know about. He's getting one of those Carl Everett/John Rocker types of reputa--HEY! The RANGERS can always use pitching~!
Oh yeah. Just the kinda arm that John Hart goes after. Though I hear he's a good clubhouse presence, so LaRussa will knocking on his door too.
Paniagua will definitely get signed by someone - he's not very good, but he's far too young to be washed up.
Yeah. I heard the Yanks were after him at the trade deadline. He has a good arm and decent stuff, so he'll land on his feet easily.
Speaking of pitchers, I need to check up on Ishii - that was pretty horrible last night (enough with the bizarre LA injuries already).
I've been fortunate not to have seen that, or the Piazza foul tip, yet. I'm not exactly rushing to find clips of them either.
Why is it that the crap hitters always hurt the pitchers with those liners right back at 'em?
My name is Sue! How do you do?? Now you gonna die!!
I did the MLB.com thing to watch the games last season and was very satisfied. The radio thing would be good, but I rarely have a radio at hand and don't watch to get an XM - although I have considered it.