No More Lima Time, Pitcher Dies At Age 37

Jose Lima, the once colorful pitcher of the Houston Astros, who also spent his last major league season with the Mets in 2006 has died of an apparent heart attack at age 37.

Lima earned the moniker "Lima Time" for his eccentric personality in the dugout and on the mound. He won 21 games in 1999 for Houston.

"Popular with fans and animated on the mound, his merengue music became a familiar fixture in the Astros clubhouse.

"He was a man full of life, without apparent physical problems and with many plans and projects on the agenda," his wife, Dorca Astacio, told ESPNdeportes.com.

On Friday night, he attended a game at Dodger Stadium, where he was introduced between innings and received an ovation from the crowd" (Associated Press).