Right-hander appreciates support and electricity of fans Baseball Perspectives ,Jose Lima
Jose Lima waves to the crowd as he walks off the field after Game 4. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images) Jose Lima, the Dodgers' candidate for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, which honors service to the community and actions on the field, won 21 games for the Astros in 1999, but came to Spring Training this season as a non-roster invitee and battled his way onto the team. An inspirational leader, both on and off the field, Lima was 13-5 with a 4.07 ERA in 36 games for the Dodgers, who went 17-7 in games he started. His .722 winning percentage was third-best in the National League. The 2004 NLDS is Lima's third; he pitched for Houston in the 1997 and 1999 playoffs.
LOS ANGELES -- Robin Ventura announced his retirement following Sunday night's 6-2 loss to St. Louis that ended the Dodgers' season.
"I realize it's time to go," said the 37-year-old Ventura, a six-time Gold Glove winner and two-time All-Star who served as a bench player and elder statesman. "That's it. It was fun. The way it ended, it's not supposed to be some movie. It is what it is. I had a great time this year. Growing up, you always hope to play for the team you followed."
Ventura began his Major League career with the Chicago White Sox in 1989, playing 10 seasons in the Windy City before spending the next five with the New York Mets (1999-2001) and New York Yankees (2002-2003). He was traded to the Dodgers by the Yankees on July 31, 2003, in exchange for outfielder Bubba Crosby and minor league pitcher Scott Proctor.
The left-handed hitter finished his career with 294 home runs, 1,182 RBIs and a .267 average in 2,079 games. His best season came in 1999 with the Mets when he belted 32 long balls, drove in 120 and hit .301.
In his final campaign as a Dodger, Ventura saw most of his action coming off the bench, hitting five home runs and driving in 28 with a .243 average in 152 at-bats.
LOS ANGELES -- Robin Ventura announced his retirement following Sunday night's 6-2 loss to St. Louis that ended the Dodgers' season.
.....GO YANKEES!
