I simply have to spend a minute or two on the passing of Jose Lima.  I never knew him, but yet he is forever imprinted on my memory.  Its not his best years in Houston that stand out.  It was that 2004 playoff game pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers that kept them from being swept in the NLDS that season.  I remember exactly where I was standing, waiting for a friend to watch the later game- probably the Yankees game- when Lima took the mound.  He was mesmerizing.  He took control the moment the ball was in his hands, and you could see that no one was going to hand him the loss- it was he who was in control.  His blue eyes were piercing in the glistening Dodger uniform. He powered his way through that game, baffling hitters who couldn’t understand how Jose Lima could be so tough to hit.

Today, I read all the stories about his passing and about his life.  There were plenty of people to say nice things today, and that is something that should give comfort to many who were close to him.  I can’t believe that this man who was only 37 could have passed so young.  But that day in 2004, will last in my mind for eternity.

Here is  a quick link to Be Shpigel’s post about Lima- it says what everyone else has said, just a little more eloquently.

RIP Jose Lima.