I just read where Lima, recently demoted to the Astros’ bullpen, has stated that he could be starting for any team in the majors.
This, from the pitcher with the glittering 7.24 ERA, the guy who gave up 4 earned runs in 3 1/3 innings of work in his last appearance (a grand slam by IRod). True, that could happen to anyone, but it’s been happening to you in particular for a loooong time.
You might be able to start for any team in Double A ball. Perhaps it’s time to find out.
Lima can start for any team, but he has Chuck Knoblach syndrome (formerly Steve Sax syndrome, before that Steve Blass…). He’s so psychologically messed up because of HomeRun Field (aka Enron Field) that unless he’s pitching at Comerica Park or the old Astrodome again he’s not going to be able to make it through a season.
I don’t know his home/road splits, but I bet a trade will do him a world of good. Pitching in Houston once or twice a year might balloon his ERA a bit, but he’d return to the better pitchers of the league list.
That’s just plain silly. This is a professional who is getting paid millions of dollars to play a game. While I sympathize with some players problems (Rich Ankiel, who is making a concerted effort to come back and is being HUMBLE about it, for example), Jose Lima is a punk.
Either get your shit together, Jose, or get some therapy to fix it. Don’t give us any shit about how you could be a starter for any team before you can put your money where your mouth is. Cecil could get a hit off you right now.