Jim Lira

James Cruz Lira

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 175 lb.

• School Laredo Community College
• High School Bishop High School

• Born May 19, 1977 in Kingsville, TX USA

BR Register page

Biographical Information

Jim Lira pitched in the minor leagues and the CPBL.

Lira was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 27th round of the 1998 Amateur Draft, and he collected 14 saves with a 3.75 ERA for the Princeton Devil Rays in 1998. His ERA was 3.05 in 36 games in 1999 for the St. Petersburg Devil Rays, and he had a 2.24 ERA in 42 games there in 2000. The Houston Astros then selected Lira in the 2000 Rule V Draft. He collected 12 saves with a 1.72 ERA for the Michigan Battle Cats in 2001, and he also recorded a 3.00 in 27 games for the Round Rock Express.

In 2002, Lira recorded a 3.35 ERA in 28 games in Round Rock, and he also pitched 18 2/3 shutout innings with 6 saves for the Lexington Legends. However, his ERA rose to 6.04 with the Express in 2003, then he was released. The San Francisco Giants signed him, and Lira had a 7.04 ERA in 6 games for the Norwich Navigators. He pitched 4 shutout innings for the Coastal Bend Aviators in 2004, and he was 5-1 with a 2.49 ERA in 2005. After having a 1.86 ERA in 7 appearances for the Aviators in 2006, he signed with the Macoto Cobras of Taiwan. Lira had a 3.78 ERA in 18 games, and he left the team in September. He recorded a 1.86 ERA in 7 games in the rest of the season for the Lancaster Barnstormers, but his ERA rose to 6.37 in 27 games in 2007 then he retired.