Remembering former Hens pitcher Jose Lima
Former Toledo Mud Hen and 13-year major league veteran Jose Lima died Sunday of an apparent heart attack at his home in Los Angeles. Lima, known for his up-beat attitude and phrase "Lima Time," had three stints with the Mud Hens and pitched a no-hitter for the club on August 17, 1994 at Ned Skeldon Stadium against Pawtucket. It is the last time a no-hitter was pitched by a Hen. In his career with Toledo, Lima compiled a 17-16 record and 4.22 ERA in 46 games, 45 of which were starts.
Long time Hens' radio broadcaster, Jim Weber had this to say about Lima, "I opened the pre-game with a tribute to my good friend on Sunday after accepting the shock of such a tragedy. We had become good friends when he was with Toledo and we talked a few times when he was with Houston and then saw each other again in 2006 when he came here in his quest to get back to the big leagues (with the Mets). We spent hours together across the street from Fifth Third Field that night and I still have his business card with his personal cell # on the back that he gave me after inviting me to his house for a gathering in Houston after the season. On the road, we hung out together all the time and many times if we were not out already, he would call my room late at night to go play pool or grab a bite to eat. Of course, he pitched one of the greatest games in Mud Hen history in 1994 when he missed a perfect game by an inch, walking Eric Wedge in the 8th inning when he played for Pawtucket. I know you have heard me mention several times, but Wedge maintains that the umpire should not have let him walk on a pitch that close and spoil a perfect game. He should have faced only 27 batters instead of 28 on that night. He did not leave the field that evening until he signed autographs for almost 45 minutes. I now regret that I did not go to Houston that year to see the man that was so "full of life" and so devoted to baseball and everybody around him. I am having a very hard time grasping the fact that he has been taken from us at the age of 37."
Hens' Assistant General Manager, Scott Jeffer added, "Jose was the most charismatic Mud Hens players that I ever met. One of a few photos that I have with players is one in the Skeldon visitor's bullpen with Jose wearing a cowboy hat as he was the only player that showed up after a game to participate in our Country Line Dancing Night, hamming it up with all the ladies. I remember his lucky rock that he kept in his pocket when he pitched. He used to get a running start and jumped over the foul lines on the way to the dugout after innings."
Hens' Assistant General Manager, Neil Neukam said "I remember him just coming in the office on a regular basis and putting his feet up on the desk asking how things were while the rest of the team was out practicing. He just had a care-free spirit that was contagious when you were around him."
Appreciation: Jose Lima never looked back at who was talking about him - USA Today - Paul White
Toledo gets aboard early but fall to Omaha 6-1
TOLEDO, OH - The Toledo Mud Hens lost to the Omaha Storm Chasers 6-1 Wednesday night. The Hens got off to a strong start early, but things fell apart as they dug into their bullpen. The Storm Chasers benefited greatly from some big hits at the right moments and the
Toledo falls 9-8 despite Hicklen’s two-homer night
Toledo, OH-The Toledo Mud Hens dropped a close one to the Omaha Storm Chasers in the opener of their series on Tuesday, June 10, at Fifth Third Field. First pitch was at 7:05 p.m. The Mud Hens came out swinging in the bottom of the first. Leadoff hitter Gage Workman
Mud Hens out-slug Clippers 11-9
Columbus, OH-The Toledo Mud Hens out-slugged the Columbus Clippers in a wild game, picking up an 11-9 victory on Sunday, June 8, at Huntington Park. First pitch was thrown at 1:05 p.m. Toledo wasted no time getting on the board. Leadoff man Gage Workman reached on a fielding error, and
Margevicius shines but the Hens fall 2-1 to the Clippers
COLUMBUS, OH - The Toledo Mud Hens lost 2-1 to the Columbus Clippers in game five of their series Saturday night. Toledo hoped that their lineup, featuring seven batters who have had stints with Detroit this season, would overwhelm the Columbus defense. The play of lefty Nick Margevicius played a
Toledo takes game four against Columbus 8-3 behind trio of homers
Columbus, OH-The Toledo Mud Hens clipped the Columbus Clippers in game four of their series on Friday, June 6, at Huntington Park, cruising to an 8-3 win. First pitch was thrown at 7:05 p.m. The Clippers threatened early in the bottom of the first when Chase DeLauter reached second on
Hens fall 3-2 to Clippers in Melton's debut
COLUMBUS, OH - The Toledo Mud Hens fell to the Columbus Clippers 3-2 Thursday night. Toledo was able to get the early lead, but couldn’t hold on as Columbus picked up three home runs. The Hens hoped to rally late, but fell just short. With Sawyer Gipson-Long making his return
Mud Hens drop game two to Clippers despite strong showing from bullpen
Columbus, OH-The Toledo Mud Hens fell 5-2 to the Columbus Clippers on Wednesday night, June 4, at Huntington Park. First pitch was at 7:05 p.m. The Clippers jumped out to an early lead in the first, capitalizing on a leadoff double and a fielding error to bring home two runs
Despite a strong defensive start, the Hens fall to the Clippers on Tuesday evening
Columbus, OH – The Toledo Mud Hens fell to the Columbus Clippers on Tuesday evening at Huntington Park in the opening game of the Triple-A Battle of Ohio. The final score was 6-1. Right-hander Wilkel Hernandez (1-1, 2.65 ERA) took the mound for Toledo, while Columbus countered with veteran Vince
Mud Hens complete sweep with 4-0 shutout against Bats
Toledo, OH-The Toledo Mud Hens blanked the Louisville Bats 4-0 to complete a series sweep on Sunday, June 1, at Fifth Third Field. First pitch was at 2:05 p.m. Louisville got their bats going early in the top of the first with back-to-back singles from Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Edwin Ríos,
Hens win seventh straight with yet another grand slam
TOLEDO, OH - The Toledo Mud Hens took their seventh-straight home win Saturday night in dramatic fashion over the Louisville Bats. The Hens struggled to get things going early, but benefited greatly from their third-straight grand slam in as many games. Both Dietrich Enns and Randy Wynne kept things scoreless
Explosive sixth gives Mud Hens 13-4 victory over Bats
TOLEDO, OH - The Toledo Mud Hens demolished the Louisville bats 14-3 as their offense got red hot. The Bats kept things close early and even took a lead, but the Hens came storming back with an explosive sixth inning. The Mud Hens would have their work cut out for
Walk-off grand slam from Madris lifts Mud Hens over Bats
Toledo, OH-The Toledo Mud Hens walked off in dramatic fashion against the Louisville Bats in game three of their series on Thursday, May 29, at Fifth Third Field, with first pitch at 6:35 p.m. The Bats got on the board early as Christian Encarnacion-Strand launched a two-out solo homer in
Serven’s blast lifts Mud Hens past Bats 4-2
Toledo, OH-The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Louisville Bats in game two of their six-game series on Wednesday, May 28, at Fifth Third Field. First pitch came at 11:05 a.m. in front of an energetic school day crowd. Louisville struck early in the top of the first when Edwin Ríos
Meadows tallies three hits in Tuesday win to Louisville
Toledo, OH – The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Louisville Bats on Tuesday night at Fifth Third Field, earning a 10–5 victory. Toledo sent left-hander Nick Margevicius to the mound to start the game. He entered with a 1–1 record and a 3.43 ERA. Louisville countered with right-hander Chase Petty,
Margot walks it off for 5-4 victory over Indianapolis
TOLEDO, OH - The Toledo Mud Hens walked it off against the Indianapolis Indians 5-4 Friday night and followed the celebration up with some Walleye highlights and some fireworks. Toledo struggled on offense early, but took care of business late. Pittsburgh’s No. 1 and MLB’s No. 2 prospect, Bubba Chandler,
Workman with two hits in Friday loss to Indy
Toledo, OH – The Toledo Mud Hens fell to the Indianapolis Indians on Friday night at Fifth Third Field, with a final score of 4-0. To start the game, Toledo sent right-handed pitcher Wilkel Hernandez (1-0, 2.16 ERA) to the mound, while Indianapolis countered with righty Carmen Mlodzinski (0-0, 0.00
Mud Hens take both games in Thursday night double-header
Toledo, OH-The Toledo Mud Hens and the Indianapolis Indians competed in a double-header on Thursday, May 22, at Fifth Third Field, with first pitch of game one coming at 5:35 p.m. Indianapolis got the bats going early with a two-out base hit from Nick Yorke in the top of the
Mud Hens earn 3-0 win after weather stops play at Fifth Third Field
Toledo, OH-The Toledo Mud Hens defeated the Indianapolis Indians 3-0 on Wednesday, May 21, at Fifth Third Field. Left-hander Nick Margevicius started on the mound for Toledo and would retire the side to kick off the game. Jace Jung worked a walk in the bottom of the first after a
Mud Hens overcome late RailRiders rally in series finale
SCRANTON, PA - The Toledo Mud Hens and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders had an offense driven series finale Sunday, ending in a 10-8 victory for the Mud Hens. Toledo got ahead early, but was forced to overcome a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre resurgence late. Getting the nod for the RailRiders in the series finale