Former New York Mets pitcher Jose Lima died of apparent heart attack according to the Aguilas Cibaenas, a winter ball team that he had played for in the Dominican Republic. He was 37.
 Lima's wife, Dorca Astacio, said he began complaining during the night, and she originally thought he was having a nightmare. She soon called paramedics, but Lima was suffering a massive heart attack and passed away.
“This is a shock for us because Lima was a young man who seemed healthy and nobody imagined this,” said Tomas Jimenez, manager of the Aguilas Cibaenas.
Lima had his ups and downs throughout his entire career. In 13 major league seasons, the native of the Dominican Republic had a record of 89-102 with a 5.26 ERA.
Lima posted the career best during the 1999 season while with the Houston Astros. He finished that season with a 21-10 record included being named to the National League All-Star team.
Lima pitched for the Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals and New York Mets. His short career with the Mets ended in 2006 following a grand-slam to fellow pitcher Dontrelle Willis.
Lima went on to pitch in the Dominican Winter League in 2007, in Korea for the Kia Tigers in 2008 and in the independent minor leagues here in the U.S. Lima last pitched for the Edmonton Capitals of the Golden Baseball League in 2009.
"We are shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic loss of Jose Lima. Though he was taken from us way too soon, he truly lived his life to the fullest and his personality was simply unforgettable," Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said in a statement. "He had the ability to light up a room and that's exactly what he did every time I saw him. His memorable contributions to the Dodgers in 2004 and throughout baseball will always be remembered."
"He could dance, he could sing, but his best gift of all was that he was an extremely happy person," Astros owner Drayton McLane said.
“He was a man full of life, without apparent physical problems and with many plans and projects on the agenda,” said his wife, Dorca Astacio Lima attended a recent Dodgers game against the Tigers, another of his former clubs, and received a warm ovation from the crowd.
It was one final “Lima Time”.
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