Former Dodger Jose Lima dies at age 37

photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Times

I just spoke to Jose Lima last Thursday evening at the local Gold’s gym where we are both members. Always animated and friendly and wearing an Angels or Dodger cap, he was very upbeat about the new youth baseball academy he was starting in Los Angeles. Our conversations were usually short and very casual, a greeting or maybe a quick chat about our workouts but he was always willing to talk with anyone who recognized him at the gym. In his only season playing for Los Angeles, Jose was able to win the first playoff game for the Dodgers in 16 seasons, a shutout over the St. Louis Cardinals in October of 2004.

Last week at Gold’s Gym I wanted to casually tell him what a great game he pitched that night and thank him for finally getting that monkey off the Dodgers back, but I did not want to bother him with a subject he probably frequently addresses so I decided to wait for a more appropriate time. This morning I read in the paper that Jose Lima died early Sunday morning of an apparent cardiac arrest. He was only 37 years old and the father of 5 children.

If you ever feel compelled to express your thoughts to someone about an impact they made on you or clear the air over a misunderstanding from years gone by or maybe tell someone how much you really care about them, then never hesitate for that person may be gone when you are ready to do so. I have spent a lifetime holding back my words in these situations and regretfully so.

*
Rest in Peace Jose.