On This Day: Green's Power Surge

On this day, May 23, 2002, Shawn Green had a day at the plate most can only dream about. In Milwaukee he became the 14th player to blast 4 home runs in one game. He also established the all-time MLB record for total bases in a game with 19- Green had 4 homers, a single and a double.

Shortly after this feat eTopps made a card to commemorate this day.

RIP: Jose Lima

(photo credit: Jon SooHoo)

Goodness, this is terribly unexpected news. Jose Lima, the purveyor of "Lima Time," has died. He was only 37 years old. Few men played the game with the kind of heart and enthusiasm as Lima. His antics and his smile will surely be missed.

Here is a great video of him with his teammates while he was a member of the Long Beach Armada.

YouTube Link:

From a Dodger press release.

Dodger owner Frank McCourt made the following statement today regarding the passing of former Dodger pitcher Jose Lima.

“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic loss of Jose Lima. Though he was taken from us way too soon, he truly lived his life to the fullest and his personality was simply unforgettable. He had the ability to light up a room and that’s exactly what he did every time I saw him. His memorable contributions to the Dodgers in 2004 and throughout baseball will always be remembered. Our deepest condolences and prayers go out to his family during this extremely difficult time.”

Though he played just one season for the Dodgers, Lima etched his name in team lore when he made the club as a non-roster invitee following Spring Training of 2004 and went 13-5 during the regular season, leading the Dodgers to their first National League West Division Championship since 1995.

The Dominican-born right-hander further endeared himself to fans when he sang the National Anthem prior to a home game at Dodger Stadium in 2004 and performed with his band at the Dodgers’ annual Viva Los Dodgers celebration.

In the National League Division Series that year, Lima pitched a complete game, five-hit shutout in Game 3 at Dodger Stadium, giving the team its first postseason victory since 1988.

Lima had rejoined the team within the past month as a member of the Dodger Alumni Association and was preparing to open a youth baseball academy this summer in Los Angeles to help teach the game he loved to youngsters. He was committed to making appearances in the community on behalf of the team, including an upcoming musical performance at a Viva Los Dodgers event this summer.

He attended a game at Dodger Stadium on Friday night and received a rousing ovation from the crowd when he was introduced between innings.

Lima pitched 13 seasons in the Major Leagues with Detroit , Houston , Kansas City, Los Angeles and the New York Mets. He won 21 games for the Astros in 1999 when he was a National League All-Star and finished fourth in Cy Young Award balloting.

Blog Kiosk: 5/23/2010

First Place, Baby!

• Check out MLB Trade Rumors story and interview with Ned Colletti about the Andre Ethier for Milton Bradley and Antonio Perez trade.
• Dinged Corners shares some pics from the 2010 Albuquerque Isotopes Baseball Card Team Set.
• Please laugh with me. Jaime Enterprises. (Hat Tip: 6-4-2)
• DodgerBobble writes a great post featuring the Ethier bobblehead.
  
• Sunshine shares some pics of hers from Andre Ethier Bobblehead Night. Not only that, she even got some bullpen candy.
• Ken Levine has proof of a Bob Hope Dodger Bobblehead.
• Dodger prospect Chris Withrow shares his frustration with the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
  
• Here is a great find by Trolley Dodger- a BBC video looking at the shared histories of Baseball and Cricket.
  
• Check out photos of Saturn and its moons at Boston.com.
• Stay classy, Philadelphia!
  
• Morgan Ensberg writes a bit about why athletes don't often speak their minds to reporters.
  
• Lin Yu Chun sings "God Bless America" at Dodger Stadium.

YouTube Link:

Vintage Dodger Snapshot: Dodgers at the Polo Grounds

Here is a great fan photo of the old Polo Grounds as the Brooklyn Dodgers play the NY Giants sometime in the 1950's, via eBay. Notice how the relief pitchers warm up in the outfield.

(eBay Auction Link)